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Using the sun, water or wind to create energy helps the environment, as well as the cost of energy in your home. If you would like to know more about the ways you can put green energy to work in your home, read on for some valuable advice and interesting tips.
Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Having heated water in your washer can use up to nine-tenths of the energy required to run a washing machine. Washing your clothing in cold water will get them just as clean as washing them in hot water if you have a good laundry detergent. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.
If you currently use fuel oil for home heating, ask your local technician how you can switch over to biodiesel fuel. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Bio-diesel is more efficient and burns cleaner than conventional petroleum, which in turn, reduces the environmental impact from your home during the winter.
Keep covers on your windows when not in your home. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. Southern facing windows receive the most sunlight. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it if you want to save energy. Never run it with just a few dishes inside. You might be surprised by the number of items that you can fit in your dishwasher. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
Solar power can heat water for a low cost. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. You have a choice between both an indirect or direct circulation system. If your pipes freeze when it’s cold, the best option is the indirect system.
When you consider solar heat for your home calculate potential hours of sunshine for energy generation during the winter months. As winter sunlight is much lower than summer, you will want to be able to plan for higher energy costs in winter. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!
One way to save energy is to limit the use of electrical heaters in the winter. You can wear warmer clothing instead, and warm up your home with your fireplace. Remember, cooler air during sleep is better for breathing, and keeps the airways from drying out.
Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. This can cut up to 75% of your electrical use, especially if you are frequently on the Internet or using word processing software. Since laptops are portable, you can use them anywhere.
Look for rebates at the local and federal levels for updating your home to renewable energy sources. In a few cases, local utility companies tend to offer rebates for expenses associated to upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. Receiving these kinds of credits and rebates can make installing the updates much less expensive for you.
Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. Go paperless with any company that has the option. This will save the businesses you deal with a great deal on energy costs and mailing expenses. That helps the environment for everybody.
Create reminders for yourself in order to stay focused on your energy efficiency goals. Try to check your utility bill occasionally in order to see the progress you are making. By being conscious of how you use energy, you can help significantly reduce the amount of energy you consume. Cut down electricity and water consumption so you are likely to turn off appliances.
Try using a toilet that is built to save water. You can save a lot of water from being flushed away if you upgrade to an energy efficient model. Older models typically waste 5 gallons to flush, whereas newer models that are water-saving use about 10.6 gallons. This can save 70% of your water usage each year.
You can save money and protect the environment with green energy. As this article shows, going green isn’t all that difficult and costly. Put this excellent advice to use and build a more environmentally friendly and efficient home today.
