Transforming your home into an energy efficient one is a great way to help the environment, while saving you money at the same time. You don't have to buy an electric car to make this happen! Look through this article and see how you can learn some easy ways to convert your home into a truly energy efficient place, all on any type of budget.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Solar water heaters use the sun's energy to heat water resulting in energy savings. While some upgrades cost more initially, they can qualify you for deductions on your tax return for using green energy.
Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. The majority of energy use from washing clothes is in the heating of the water. If your detergent is of good quality, you should have no problems using cold water. Don't forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!
Think about buying solar water heaters for heating your water. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. However, it's best to keep a traditional heater for times when you need a lot of heated water, or if the sun does not come out.
Turn off electrical items whenever you aren't using them. When you leave an area take the time to turn off lights, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electrical items you are not going to be using. Get a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at the same time, rather than letting energy get wasted in standby mode.
Keep your refrigerator well maintained. Keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape, and running at maximum efficiency, with minimal effort. Keep heating coils dust free. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. This is because they decrease the amount of cold air circulating through your home. Storm doors and windows can increase a home's energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
To save money on heating your water, buy a tankless system. While heaters that are tankless still need electricity or gas, they will not heat more water than you need, which is what a water tank heater does. Tankless heaters can supply the entire home or certain faucets.
Fans of green energy should limit their use of electric heaters in the winter. Wear several layers of warm clothes instead, and heat main rooms with a pellet stove or fireplace. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Take advantage of government rebates on renewable energy installations. Certain utility companies will provide rebates for these upgrades. In other instances, credit or tax deductions are offered by federal or state governments. These rebates, credits, and other allowances can make it much more affordable to install renewable energy equipment on your property.
Opt to receive as much correspondence as you can through email. Don't use paper whenever you can afford to do so. This doesn't only help you communicate and save electricity, it will lower your bills as well. In addition, going paperless helps the environment, something that everyone benefits from.
A few examples of energy efficient changes you can make at home are changing your furnace's filter on schedule, installing CFL bulbs and using a programmable thermostat. Share your tips and ideas with friends and family so they can reap the rewards of green energy! Use the advice you've learned here and start saving money and the planet today!
