You do not have to break the bank to become more green, and you don't have to waste a lot of valuable time either. Reducing your electricity consumption does not have to be complicated, and will help keep the environment healthy. Take advantage of the helpful tips in the article below to positively impact the environment with green energy.
Start paying attention to your energy consumption. Unplug the charger for your iPod and XBox when they are not in use. Your charger still uses energy while it's plugged in, even if it isn't charging anything.
Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is actually used in heating up the water. If you are using good quality washing detergent, cold water is effective. Additionally, always wash with a full load of laundry, as this helps to lower the amount of energy you use.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. This option is only applicable in areas that do not reach freezing temperatures. If you live in a warm climate, you can use a system that pumps your water through the solar heater before coming out of your pipes. You should still retain traditional water heaters for backup when the sun doesn't show, or if you use a lot of heated water.
To conserve energy and save money, only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Don't run it with just a few dishes. The dishwasher can actually fit a lot of dishes when loaded correctly. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.
If you use a dishwasher to clean your dishes, do not run it until it is completely full. It will use the same quantity of water or energy even if one dish is in it. When you do use the dishwasher, be certain to always use the setting for saving energy, which air-dries your dishes.
You can obtain hot water for a cheap cost with solar energy. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. Although tankless heaters require electricity or gas to heat water, they only do this on the amount you need as opposed to storing it in a large tank that is kept hot all the time. There are models available that provide on-demand hot water for a whole house or just one faucet.
Everyone should strive to use green energy. By making a couple small changes like turning off lights when not needed, can really help save you lots of money on your electric bill.