Appliance Options To Use Green Energy

You already probably know about green energy. You may do a few things, and think that is enough, or you may not have done anything related to green energy since it became such a popular idea. Whatever your experience with green energy, here are some great suggestions to make sure that you can use green energy, at least a little bit.

If you are planning on switching to green energy, it can seem too discouraging to jump in and do it all at once. While an entire home and land can be overwhelming, try narrowing your efforts to one room at a time. A good first step is a bedroom, where you can use solar power for just a reading lamp and a radio or alarm clock. Then work up from there!

If switching your home to solar power is beyond your financial capabilities, try switching just one room, like a bedroom, to solar power. There are solar kits available online that can help you green a room, and this will positively affect your energy bills and carbon footprint for years to come.

Turn off electrical items when you’re not using them. Upon leaving a particular room, remember to turn of the lights, television, computer or even the entertainment center. Keep your home appliances on a power strip, and switch it off when not in use.

Install timers, motion sensors, or sound sensors on lamps, lights and other electrical devices to automate their functions. Such sensors are ideal if you have a hard time remembering to turn off the lights, and because they conserve energy, they can save you a significant amount of your power bill.

The average washing machine uses a lot of hot water. It can use over 30 gallons each load. Cut down on its hot water usage by washing in cold water. Many people struggle with this because they insist on having the water warm. If you’re one of them, try replacing your machine with an Energy Star unit. Many modern detergents clean clothes really well at low temperatures.

Pay attention to the thermostat in your home. Installing a programmable thermostat makes it easier for you to track the temperature in your house, and turn the heat down when you aren’t at home. Between 1 and 3 percent of your energy costs can be cut for each degree you turn it down!

Replace your furnace with one that has the Energy Star seal on it. You can save 15 to 20 percent on your month energy costs if you purchase a highly efficient furnace. You can even get a federal tax credit that will help cover the cost of your new furnace!

Use a solar oven when baking. You can make these with boxes, old windows or old pieces of foil that can be used for reflection. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.

Try using programmable thermostats to save energy inside your home. These let you adjust the times when you can turn on your heater or air-conditioning according to the schedule you set up. As a result, you’re not operating anything as much when you’re not home, or when you’re asleep.

You can lower the temperature setting on your water heater and save money at the same time by insulating your water pipes. Just insulating the hot water pipes can reduce heat loss and raise your hot water temperature by 2-4 degrees F. You will save water as well, as it won’t take as long for the water to heat up.

Pack your own lunch when going to work or out for the day. This saves money, but also improves the environment by using less “consumables” that inevitably come with meals ordered out. You can reuse the containers you used for your lunch, and it only takes a small space in your bag or purse.

Clean your air filters monthly to see if they either require cleaning or if they need replaced. This can help your unit run more efficiently. You can also purchase a permanent filter that you can wash and re-use. These can save you a lot later and can prevent more waste in the landfills.

Conserving energy and preserving the earth are the best ways to utilize efficient green energy. While the technology is catching up with the consumer demand, we need to realize that conservation is the best alternative to green energy. If we do not use as much energy, there is not as large of a demand, and we will allow the technology the time it needs to catch up.

Green energy is great to have in any home and can save you a lot on electrical bills that can seem to add up over months. Another great thing about investing into green technology is that you can use it as a tax write off which can help you get more back come tax season.

Consider replacing the heating oil in your home with bio fuel. Bio fuel is non-toxic and biodegradable. It comes from things like animal fats and vegetable fats. It can be just as efficient as petroleum based oil, but the product will come at a significantly reduced cost. If you can’t switch over entirely, consider talking to a technician to see if switching to a blend might be an option for you.

If you are thinking about starting your own business, you should find out more about green energies. This market will expand in the future and you can benefit from many interesting tax incentives, besides contributing to saving the planet and offering people clean sources of energy. Go to your local Business Bureau for more information.

Now that you’ve read a little about how to use green energy, you should have a few ideas in your head to make your home more green. Use the ideas in this article to get you started, and to give you concrete actions you can take today to make sure you are living green.