Green Energy Tips That Can Save You Money Today!

Chris Kostopoulos Jan 27, 2013 · 5 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Many people find the prospect of making their home more green to be a daunting one. You might be confused by the many different choices, or even feel anxious about where to begin making your own transitions. By reading the following hints you can learn what is best for you when it comes to energy usage.

Energy Star

An easy way to identify energy efficient appliances and products is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. If the appliance has an ENERGY STAR, it means it meets guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the Environmental Protection Agency Typically, these are the only appliances that one can get a tax rebate for.

TIP! Do you have a farm? Farms are the perfect place to put a wind turbine. If you don’t have a farm, you might be able to rent from someone.

Before considering solar energy to power your home, do a detailed analysis of you home energy usage. Be thorough and mark everything. This list can help the installer give you a more accurate quote, as he will base the quote on the amount of power you need each day.

If you can, replace your windows for those that are energy-efficient. Not only will you reduce your energy bills, you will enjoy a much quieter home. You will also have a lot less condensation, resulting in less mold growth and water damage.

Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Don’t forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!

TIP! Turn it off. Turn it off.

If you install your own solar panels, be sure that you consider what direction the sun will be throughout the year. For instance, the panels should face the sun and be set at an angle, that is specific to your area. This will increase the amount of power you can acquire.

If you are attempting to turn your home into a greener habitat, you might want to consider purchasing a washing machine that is a front-loader. They do not need nearly as much water as top-loading machines use in order to clean your laundry much more efficiently. Less energy and money will be spent with these machines.

Put your refrigerator and freezer units in a low-temperature location in your home so that they stay cool with less energy. Heating vents and direct sunlight can raise the temperatures of these appliances, making them to run more often.

TIP! Instead of reducing energy consumption through a variety of methods, try producing renewable energy on your own. Not only will this reduce your energy costs, it can reduce pollution and put you in charge of your own energy needs.

Flip off your light switches! For instance, keep your usage of lights only to night time, and make it a priority to turn them off before exiting the room. Keep porch lights, lighting in cabinetry, and other lights off unless you absolutely need them to be on. Doing this will lower your energy consumption.

Grows Fast

If you are in the market for wooden items, try bamboo wood. Bamboo grows fast and in abundance; it does not have the same negative environmental impact as cutting down trees. It grows fast and is made for several products like furniture or flooring. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.

TIP! If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm’s windows and doors cut down on the cold air that drafts can let in.

Lower heating costs with solar heating systems for your pools or hot tubs. When you heat water with natural gas or electricity, it isn’t as efficient as using a solar alternative. Making some of these changes will cost you some money up front, but you can recoup some of these costs with tax deductions for using green energy.

Set your home’s thermostat to 60 degrees if you are sleeping or leaving the house for several hours at a time. At this temperature, your home will use as little energy as possible. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.

Solar panels can be a great addition for your home, making it more efficient and greener. This can be a costly option in the beginning but it will pay great economic and environmental dividends over time. Solar energy becomes free when the panels are installed and you may be able to sell power to some local electric companies.

TIP! Install batteries very close to cells when you are putting together a solar energy system. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable.

If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. These lamps are cheap and don’t require any power besides sun exposure. This saves a lot of energy! It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.

Solar Energy

There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. Active systems store the solar energy for use later, while passive systems just use the sun’s heat as energy. Active solar powers requires solar panels that need installations as well as mechanical systems and cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.

TIP! Save money on heating and cooling costs with a digital programmable thermostat. These thermostats have pre-programmed settings that regulate temperatures in your home in both summer and winter months.

Use automatic motion detection sensors for lighting in your rooms. These motion sensor lights will turn off lights in rooms that are not in use automatically, which in turn, will save you money with your energy bills. Make sure your garage has outdoor lighting, as well.

Maybe you can use solar water heaters instead of traditional heating methods. If you happen to live in a climate where freezing water isn’t going to affect you then you might want to invest into a system that circulates water through your solar heater before it is pumped into your home. Though you can use this system, it’s best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.

Every home is different. With different qualities and options, green tech option efficacy will vary quite a bit. Some tips are universal and work for everyone, and some are not. Research the different options available to you and then select the one that is a perfect fit for your own home.

TIP! Use lids when cooking to save energy. You can retain heat so you can lower your stove heat setting, which will save you energy.