You probably hear friends and TV personalities extolling the virtues of green energy, but just what is this green energy stuff? If you want a quick primer on green energy, as well as why it's useful, then this article is for you. You can use green energy in your home to cut costs!
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. When a certain appliance is not in use, unplug it. Lights and televisions should be off when not in use. This may be a simple tip, but it does save you money.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. If your air intakes and registers do not have filters, take the time to install them. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
When you are away from home, use window coverings. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. Generally, the south-facing windows get the most sun because of their position. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
Make energy efficiency a priority by buying products to assist you to reduce energy. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home's needs. The use of these types of technologies can drastically reduce both your cooling and heating costs.
Rather than using an energy-hogging desktop computer, switch to a laptop. You can save a ton of electricity by using a laptop. Both the Internet and most word processing software packages use a lot of energy on desktop computers, so getting a laptop can really save money if you use these features. Plus you can take your laptop anywhere.
If you're unsure about green investments, get an expert to provide a consultation that will optimize your energy usage. These professionals can point out inefficient appliances and systems, and they can also help you determine how much it might cost to upgrade them.
Keep a record of your energy efficiency goals. Each month, check your utility bills to check your year-over-year progress with regard to saving energy. By being conscious of how you use energy, you can help significantly reduce the amount of energy you consume. For example, if you make a conscious effort to cut down on your water or electricity usage, then you are more likely to make a habit out of shutting off unused lights or appliances.
Try using LED lights as opposed to conventional ones for the next holiday season. A US study shows One study conducted by the Department of Energy found that if everyone in the U.S. switched to these lights, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power would be saved. This amount could actually power around 200,000 homes for a whole year. At least you will be saving money on your power bill.
Now that you are aware of what exactly is green energy, hopefully you are now ready to incorporate some of these ideas at home. Remember these tips so you can use this technology at home. You will not only help the environment by saving electricity, but will also save money on your monthly utility bills.
