What do solar energy, tidal power, and wind power all have in common? They’re all forms of green energy; natural energy sources that cause minimal pollution. If we want to take care of this planet, it’s important that we take the steps to use more green energy. Keep reading this article to find out how.
Keep your windows shaded when trying to conserve energy. Both curtains and blinds will help keep the heat from the sun out of your home during the summer months. Since this will make your house cooler, you will use the air conditioner less. You can save money and energy throughout the summer.
Recycling is one of the easiest tasks that can make a greener home. Some towns automatically include costs for recycling in their garbage collection, so look into this! If not, certain states including Michigan will pay consumers to return bottles after use. Recycling is one of the best ways to cut energy costs!
Contact your current energy provider and see if they offer an option for you to use renewable-energy sources. Many providers harness renewable energy through solar or wind power and therefore, have this option available for their clients. However, you should keep in mind that this may cost a little bit extra.
Make use of fans inside the home. You can easily use floor fans or have a ceiling fan installed to increase airflow inside the home. You can use these even if you already have an air conditioner because you can turn the thermostat higher and just use the fans for air movement.
A helpful tip to live greener and conserve energy is to have the windows in your home tinted. The windows in your home act like glass in a greenhouse and when you want you home to be cool, the windows will heat it up and work against your air conditioner and cost you a bundle.
Buy a box of Ziplock quart size baggies and use these to make your own snacks. Whether you enjoy a bit of trail mix, Chex Mix, or a tasty muffin, you can use this bag and wash it when you get home to use the next day. Keep your snacks green by washing and reusing these baggies for your snacks until they are too worn.
Heat your home with a pellet stove. Pellets are basically made of compressed sawdust: they burn without any emanation and are much easier to store and transport than a pile of wood. Before investing in a pellet stove, you should find a place where you can get affordable pellets first.
A very easy and cheap way to save on your high energy bills is to try installing some low flow shower heads and faucets. Switching from the standard, 2.5 gallon/minute shower heads, to the low flow 1.5 gallon/minute ones, can help you save a lot with your hot water energy costs.
Get an energy audit of your home. Having your home inspected by a professional is the best way to find out how you could adopt alternative sources of energy. In some cases, the sun or wind exposure is simply not high enough to justify investing in alternative sources of power.
A wind turbine could help you cut down your electric bill by as much as 90%. Before you invest in this type of equipment, find out if the wind is strong enough to produce the amount of energy you need and get a professional to help you choose the right size of turbine.
From geothermal power to biomass power, green energy is good for our planet. Now that you’ve read this article, you can start taking the steps towards using more green energy in your life. You may be just one person, but a little green energy can go a very long way.
