Are you confused about how to save money on your energy bills and be more environmentally conscious? Does it just seem too hard or expensive for you to try? Forget the past and move into the future today, by reading this article and the simple tips within, so you can change your home for the better.
In order to conserve energy, try keeping the windows shaded from the sunlight. You can also try putting blinds or curtains in. Doing both these things will decrease your usage of the air conditioning during the summer because your house will be cooler. Energy and money are both saved this way.
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. You can't take as much advantage of solar energy if your house gets a lot of shade rather than sun.
When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Anytime a charger is plugged in, it is using a bit of energy.
Do you happen to own some farmland? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won't take up much space.
Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. When loading the dishwasher, align the dishes in a way that allows you to fit the maximum number of items inside.
Unless you're freezing to death, don't turn the heat all the way up. If it's a bit chilly, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. When your heat is running it uses more energy than necessary.
Build and use a solar oven to bake outdoors and save energy. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. They require only sunlight to reach a temperature of more than 300 degrees, and they only take a few minutes to construct.
Keep an eye on the wattage you are using. Devices like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt can help you determine the highest energy-usage culprits in your home. All you have to do is plug the appliance directly into the device so that it can calculate how much energy is being used per hour, month, or year. This way, you will know how much that appliance costs you, and you can adjust your usage or settings accordingly.
When the holiday season rolls around again, make the switch to LED lighting rather than sticking with traditional lighting solutions. Research has shown that in the United States alone, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power could be saved if everyone made this transition. The Energy Department showed that more than two billion kh of power could be saved if everyone made the switch. This electricity could power more than 200,000 houses for a year. At least, you can save money on your electricity!
Carpooling doesn't have to be just for work. IF you've got kids, create a carpool system with other parents in the neighborhood. You can even carpool to the supermarket with your neighbors.
A good tip is to always microwave when cooking in order to save energy. Heating up your oven will use far more energy than a quick trip through the microwave. When you can cook food in your microwave, do it and cut down on your energy usage.
Start making your house more green by talking to your local electric company. Most electric companies' websites contain general information on how to save energy, as well as calculators that tell you how much energy making specific upgrades can save you. Electric companies can also show you how to get the best green-energy appliances and light bulbs.
A lot of people wonder what exactly it means to "go green" and change their home. You now have an arsenal of tips at your disposal! Once you do it, you will find that the results are amazing.
