It’s easier than you think to reduce your home resource consumption. With a combination of some small and big changes, you could lessen your carbon footprint, as well as save money in the process. Read this article for some ideas on how to do this.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. Hot water takes up 90% of energy used to wash clothing. If you are using good quality washing detergent, cold water is effective. Additionally, do not run the washer until it is full so as to maximize your energy use.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can use a system that circulates water through the solar heater before it gets pumped into your home. Make sure you own traditional water heaters for backup during cold days.
Check out the Green Power Network website to find out if there is a green power alternative available in your area. Consider switching to green power if there is a good service available in your area and if you can afford to. You might be able to get a tax rebate in some states.
Go green on your coffee break by bringing your own cup. If you usually order a Tall Latte at Starbucks, bring a tall re-usable coffee mug with you. Every time you ask your favorite coffee shop to mix your drink in your own cup, you are helping to green your environment.
Use solar-powered outdoor lights. Outdoor lighting elements are a great place to use solar power, since there is easy access to sunlight. There are a wide range of lighting options to fit any decor. Not only does the solar-powered feature save on your energy bill, but it also makes these lights easy to install anywhere on your property.
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.
When designing your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the PV cells as possible. This helps to prevent any power loss in the cable. It also reduces the chances of the cable shading the cells and reducing their generation capability.
Take advantage of the wind. The cleanest source of alternative energy is wind energy. It can even cut your electric bill by up to 90 percent. You can run an energy audit before you determine what size turbine you’ll need, but most houses require 5 to 15 kilowatts to produce 780 kilowatt-hours per month. month.
The average washing machine uses a lot of hot water. It can use over 30 gallons each load. Cut down on its hot water usage by washing in cold water. Many people struggle with this because they insist on having the water warm. If you’re one of them, try replacing your machine with an Energy Star unit. Many modern detergents clean clothes really well at low temperatures.
When you are working at home on your computer, take the time to turn it off along with the printer and any other speakers or accessories attached to it. These constant drains on your cost you a bundle in the long run and make your overall impact on society less green.
Use some of the information you read in the preceding paragraphs to make your household a greener one. You will be saving the environment and reducing your bills at the same time. Before long, you will have one of the greenest homes around!
