Monday, April 9, 2012

GREEN ENERGY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR FUTURE

It's simple to reduce the amount of energy your home is using, or make it greener. If you make some small changes, and even a big one or two, you can lower your environmental impact and save a lot of money. This article will show you how to get started with ways to conserve energy.
Eventually, it will pay off to get green appliances and electronics. Usually, technologies that are green cost more than regular technologies, but in the long run this will pay off in the form of reduced utility costs. A bonus is that you will be helping to protect the environment.
A solar oven can be an easy and free way to bake. You can make one with easy-to-find items like old windows, boxes, and aluminium foil to reflect light. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn't use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
If you can, try switching out your old windows for ones that are more energy-efficient. You'll not only see a reduction in your energy bill, but you will also reduce carbon dioxide, condensation on the inside of your windows and a reduction of outside noise in your home.
One smart way to save money and be green is to keep your water heater temperature at 120 degrees maximum. Contrary to popular belief, this temperature is both safe and comfortable, and more importantly, it can reduce your electricity bill by up to 10%.
Use the oven light while cooking to save energy. You can avoid opening the door to check your food if you can see it from the outside. This cuts back on your energy usage.
Solar panels can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. However, before beginning this process, you need to realize a few things. What you need to know first is how much of the sun does your home generally receive? If your home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.
If you try to promote living sustainably then use your heater as little as you can during winter. Instead, start wearing warmer clothing indoors and use a pellet stove or fireplace to keep main living areas heated. Keep in mind, cooler air while sleeping makes your breathing better, and keeps your airways from getting too dry.
The flow of air in a home is better controlled when you have stormed windows and doors installed. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Storm doors and windows can help save as much as 45 percent on energy costs.
Do your best to keep your windows shaded from any sunlight in summer. Curtains or blinds can also be used to do this. By doing these things, you'll lower the amount you need to run your air conditioner in the summer, as your home will already be cooler. You will save money and energy at the same time.
Energy efficient appliances have Energy Star logos. The ENERGY STAR seal indicates appliances that meet the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA as well. Sometimes these products offer tax rebates.
Monitor how many watts you use. Gadgets such as the Watt Minder or the Kill-A-Watt will help you find out which of your appliances are hogging energy. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This will show you the cost of your appliance.
Demand legislation that encourages green energy usage. Awareness is a powerful tool that is under-utilized. If consumers know which corporations choose massive profit over environmentally conscious practices, then they may change their buying habits. If companies are held responsible to the public, they will have to accept change.
Turn these energy saving ideas into strategies you can use in your own home to create a greener environment. As you protect the environment more, your monthly energy bills will decrease. Keep working at it a little at a time, and ultimately your home is going to be the greenest in your neighborhood!

NOTE: Please visit these websites for more green energy secrets and tips:

SIMPLE HOME ENERGY SAVING TIPS ANYONE CAN PRACTICE

The options for going green can sometimes seem overwhelming to the novice. Does it seem too expensive and hard for you to consider? No worries! The ways to conserve energy outlined in this article will prove that using green energy can be simple and inexpensive.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. Solar-powered lamps are usually inexpensive, and they don't need any power source besides the sun. You save a lot of energy in the process. As an added benefit, you are spared the trouble of running an outdoor wiring system.
Install a toilet that uses less water. Some estimates report that about half of the water consumption in a home is from the toilet. With the older model of toilets, the amount of water consumed each time they are flushed is 5 gallons; however, the newer, water-saving models consume only 1.6 gallons per flush, which will yield a saving of approximately 70 percent in your annual water consumption.
It's important to maintain your refrigerator properly. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so it's crucial to make sure it is running effectively. Make dusting the coils part of your weekly cleaning routine. Also, ensure that the door seals tightly and that it is clean.
Find out more about active and passive forms of solar power. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn't need pricey solar panel cells to store power. To use active power, you must install mechanical systems, cells and solar panels. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
There are many ways to conserve energy when doing your laundry. Most dryers have a moisture setting that will shut your dryer off when the clothes are dry. The high-spin feature can work to reduce the amount of moisture in the laundry, thus limiting drying time. Be sure to clean dryer filters and check for blockages in the dryer vent.
Consider installing a water-saving shower head in your bathroom. This feels similar to a traditional shower head, but saves a lot of water. Your water bill will notice a significant reduction, and you'll also be helping out the earth in the process.
List all of your appliances and the watts they use before talking to a professional about installing solar panels. You will get a more accurate quote for the installation if the dealer knows your energy requirements.
Position solar panels so that they are facing the sun. Remember that a home in the North Hemisphere must face its panels to the south. They must be at an angle equal to your latitude with 15 degrees added. This results in the most efficient power production possible.
See if your insulation needs replacing. If your home was built before 1982, your insulation could probably use an upgrade. You will be able to lower your heating costs and warm up your home this way.
Buy a dehumidifier. Your air will feel warmer if it contains humidity. Before starting up the air conditioner on muggy days, consider running the dehumidifier instead. You may find the dehumidifier will reduce ambient air temperature enough to keep you comfortable. This can let you use the air conditioning less.
Research the different energy sources available in your community. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or energy saving rebates before making a decision. For instance, you may save on energy costs by heating your home with gas instead of with electricity, or by using well water instead of city water.
You can use bio-fuels to heat your house. Bio fuels are usually composed of vegetable fats, animal fats, wood and oil. If you have a propane furnace, you may be able to have a professional retrofit your furnace to work with bio fuel blend. This way, you would have approximately 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Just be sure to consult with a professional before attempting to use this fuel in your home.
What do you have to do to make your home more green? You have the necessary information on ways to conserve energy, now it's time to put it to use in your life. Start now and you'll see the positive effects in no time!

NOTE: Please visit these websites for more green energy secrets and tips:


ENERGY CONSERVATION WITH DIFFERENT GREEN ENERGY SOURCES

You've probably heard others talk about green energy, but you may not know what it is. If you're wondering about energy saving technology and how to use it, this article will help you. Read the tips and advice here to learn how you can make your home green.
Did you know that it is not wise to use bottled water? This water comes from a tap and is then filtered or has minerals put back into it, and the bottling process uses a ton of energy and pollutes the environment. If you don't trust your community's tap water, buy a re-usable water bottle for drinking and use a water filter that you could replace every few months.
If you want to save energy, think about putting your freeze and fridge in a relatively cold location. Try to keep these appliances out of direct sunlight or heating vents, as this can raise the temperature, causing them to run for longer periods of time.
You can make small energy saving improvements to your home to make it more energy efficient, such as changing the type of light bulbs you use. Of course, you can also make large-scale improvements such as putting in solar panels. Just doing a few small improvements on your home can save you energy and money. Start with just one project and work your way toward completing them all!
Do some research to gain information on the energy sources available to your area. Check the cost of running your home using these utilities, taking into consideration any recent legislation regarding energy costs. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
You can reduce the energy needs of your laptop by removing battery and running on AC current at home. The battery does not need any more energy once it is to capacity. If you then remove it, you will save the life on your battery.
When you install a solar energy system, place the batteries close to the cells. Power can be lost over long cables so this will lessen the impact. This can reduce chances of cables shading cells and reducing capabilities.
If you're in the market for new appliances, make sure they have a high Energy Star rating. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. For freezers and refrigerators the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy utilized, dishwashers 40 percent, and washing machines as much as 50 percent less energy used!
In order to cut down on fuel usage, you should consider using carpooling not only for work, but for other activities too. Talk with other parents and try to arrange a carpool schedule so that you all take turns driving your kids to school. If you have friends or family nearby, consider combining grocery trips together, alternating driving duties.
Use your ceiling fan in the winter. Run fans clockwise to help circulate warm air throughout the house and reduce the need to use external heaters. It does take a little electricity to operate the fans, but you will save more energy from not having to run the furnace on a regular basis.
A straw bale home offers a unique option for the very green consumer. Straw offers an excellent form of insulation and it is a very inexpensive product to use too. If a straw house really isn't for you, adding an out building might still give you the option to take advantage of this unique material.
Try cutting energy usage in your business, as well as your home. Think about solar panels for your business. This can also be used as a marketing strategy. Many people enjoy charities and programs that invest in sustainable, green energy technology. Over time, the extra business you get by going green will help pay off the solar panels.
Now that you have seen what green energy is all about, you are ready to start using it in your own home. Use the information offered here to make the needed changes in your home. This technology will have a positive impact of the environment and your pocketbook.

NOTE: Please visit these websites for more green energy secrets and tips: