The term “green energy” is used a lot these days in the news and in business. However, you may not know exactly what is meant by the term. Green energy is any type of energy from a sustainable resource, such as the sun or wind. Read on to find out more about green energy and how it can work for you. In order to save extra energy around the house, be sure to set your electronics to a power-saving mode when not using them. A power-saving mode will reduce the amount of energy spent by the device. This way, you can save energy and cut down the cost of the electric bill.
Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent, and they come in sizes that fit most existing fixtures. While the up-front cost is generally higher, most of these bulbs will last for years before burning out.
Green living is not only about buying the right products, but it is about saving on energy when ever possible. When you are not in the room, take the time to turn off your ceiling fans to conserve energy and not waste power. If you are not in the room, there is no need to have the fan on. Simply cleaning or changing the filter on your furnace can cut electricity costs significantly. Too much dirt or dust built up in the vents can make more heat necessary to warm the house. It only takes a short amount of time to clean these, and you will notice the change in your bills!
Save on water heating costs by using solar energy.
Look into hot water systems that run by solar power. Research the benefits of an indirect versus direct circulation system. The indirect system is best if you don’t want to worry about your pipes freezing in the winter.
Make sure that your home is completely sealed from all drafts, if you want to live green and use the principals of green energy. Windows and doors are your biggest culprits for letting hot and cold air out of your home. So, seal them up and start saving money.
Don’t try to install a wind generator on a small piece of property. First of all, you’ll likely get complaints from the neighbors, as an efficient wind turbine needs to be at least 30 feet off the ground. Secondly, you need about an acre of land in order to ensure an unobstructed prevailing wind.
Making changes to an existing home is very costly.
If you want to start using green energies, you should think about moving or getting a new house built. Look for certain features such as running water or good exposure to the sun and wind when buying a new property or home.
Using cold water in your washing machine whenever possible is a great way to save energy. The reason for this is that a significant amount of energy is required to heat water. In fact, about ninety percent of the energy consumed when washing clothes is used for heating water. Using hot water is more expensive for both you and the environment.
Think about giving green gifts for presents when you need to buy people gifts. If you are going to a house warming, give them a case of CFL bulbs for their new home or buy your friends reusable stainless steel water bottles. Even if you do not have gifts to give, think about buying them for yourself.
Get some green plants in your home and your garden.
Green plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen: keeping plants in your home is a good way to balance the harmful emanations from your heating system. It is also a good alternative to opening up windows and losing heat to change the air in your home.
Cut down on electricity by hanging at least some of your clothes outdoors to dry. The sun and wind can dry them quickly and your clothes will smell fresher when you bring them in. Bedding and towels can make your dryer run a long time and they are easy to hang outdoors.
Putting the temperature to 60 degrees when you’re sleeping or away from home is a great energy-saving tip. At this temperature, your home is not using much energy. As a result, you can minimize the energy you use, and save money.
As you can see, there are many different types of “green energy” technologies. Because there are so many options, there is bound to be a way to put “green energy” to work for you, while doing your part for the future of the planet. Use the information that you’ve learned in this article, in order to make an informed choice for your personal energy needs.