What does it take to start using green energy in your life? All you need to have is some determination and knowledge, and this article has plenty of ideas for you to use, as long as you’re ready to implement them. Continue reading to find everything you need to know to get started on the road to clean energy.
Use a solar-solar powered system to heat water. Using natural gas or electricity is not as efficient as solar power, and solar water heaters can keep the water temperature steady. Although some of these systems cost more initially, many qualify for tax credits or deductions.
Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Fabrics like cotton naturally draw moisture away from the skin, allowing it to stay cooler. You can also try wearing lighter colors, they help you feel cooler, lessening your need for artificial cold air.
If you are interested in alternative energy sources, you can start by contacting your current energy provider to see if they have anything to offer. Many companies are now able to harness power from solar and wind power. This may cost you more, as there is a price for the extra work involved in tapping these sources, but you will be doing the environment a favor!
Plant trees around your home. The trees will help provide shading for you home and therefore will help keep your home cooler in the hot summer months. It will not require as much air conditioning to keep it at your desired temperature. Since trees lose leaves in the winter, they will still allow the sun to come in and help heat your home during the winter months.
Support your local green energy providers by purchasing energy from them. You can check online to see if any of your local energy providers sell wind, hydro, or solar energy. By switching from the standard energy, you will send a message to your provider; you prefer cleaner energy. You will also be support the development of green energy in your area.
Think small. If you are unable to use alternative energy for your entire house, start with just one room. You can use alternative energy sources in one room and when you are ready, install it in another room. This way you are not overwhelmed with the expense of making over your house to use alternative energy.
Replace regular light bulb with Energy Star qualified bulbs. These bulbs last about ten times as long as a traditional incandescent bulb, and use approximately 75 percent less energy, saving you about in energy costs during the lifetime of the bulb. They also emit about 75 percent less heat, and are therefore much safer.
Always have a backup power source for a wind generation system. Your system needs to be able to account for low-wind days. This backup could be another type of renewable source, such as a battery system powered by solar, or a diesel generator. Another option is to have the home plugged into the utility power grid.
Remember to unplug appliances when they are not being utilized. A lot of appliances will continue to consume a significant amount of energy passively even when they are turned off. The reason for this is that energy is required to power features such as LED status lights, and clocks. Completely unplugging the appliance at the wall outlet will help you save energy.
The Earth is not a renewable resource. It provides us with what we need to survive, but we need to take care of it, to ensure that it continues to be there for us when we need it most. Use the information we’ve given you here, to use more green energy and help the environment in the process.
