Going Green With Electronics: The Definitive Guide

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Contrary to popular belief, going “green” does not mean that you have to make big investments with your time or with your money. There are a few simple changes you can make to your home that will drastically reduce your utility bills while helping the environment. Read this article for ways to use helpful green energy!

When creating an outdoor light set up for a garden path or patio, think of solar powered lamps as an option. These inexpensive lamps require no external power source and can run entirely on solar power. This saves you a lot of energy. You also don’t need to hang lights or wires outdoors.

Colored Clothing

TIP! Use a solar-solar powered system to heat water. Using natural gas and electricity is certainly the norm, but it’s not very energy efficient.

Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw the moisture further from your skin and let it stay cooler. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.

There are grants that can help you invest in green energy. Do some research with your local authorities and ascertain if they run any types of programs within your district. You may be eligible for free wind or solar installation, or at the very least be allowed to deduct your costs when you do your taxes.

Your furnace filters should be replaced annually, and inspected for monthly cleanings. Filters can also be installed in every warm-air register. This will prevent a reduction in efficiency, which occurs when the heating ducts get clogged with debris.

TIP! When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Your charger still uses energy while it’s plugged in, even if it isn’t charging anything.

If you heat your home with fuel, talk to a technician about using biodiesel. A lot of the existing systems can be modified with minimal parts or alterations. Biodiesel is great because it is more efficient and produces less pollution that standard oil, which will reduce your carbon footprint.

Use window coverings when you’re not at home. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.

Solar water heaters are a great option for your home. The heater uses solar energy to heat water before sending it to your home. This can be useful if your home isn’t located in an area with cold temperatures. Don’t get rid of your conventional water heater though; you may need it if it’s cloudy when you’re ready to use hot water.

TIP! Do you currently own a farm? Farms are the perfect place to put a wind turbine. If you don’t have a farm, you might be able to rent from someone.

When using a dishwasher to do the dishes, don’t let it run unless it’s all the way full. The dishwasher cycle uses the same amounts of water and energy, whether it is full or not. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.

Solar Energy

Hot water can be obtained in a low cost, environmentally friendly manner through solar energy. You can purchase a hot-water system that is run by solar energy. You have a choice between both an indirect or direct circulation system. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.

TIP! Solar energy is a great way to get hot water at a low cost. Buy a hot-water system that is solar-powered.

When planning a home solar system, calculate the potential energy generation of the system using hours of sunshine in the winter. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!

Put the solar energy system’s batteries close to its cells during installation. This can stop power loss in the cable. It also lowers the possibility of shading the cable cells and lessening their output capacity.

Take time to make sure to properly maintain the fridge. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so it’s crucial to make sure it is running effectively. Every week, check and see if dust has accumulated near the heating coils. If it has, take the time to remove it. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.

TIP! Take time out to properly inspect your refrigerator. Since refrigerators are one of the high-consumption appliances, it’s crucial that you keep it running efficiently.

Degrees Warmer

Dress in warm clothes to cut costs! You will feel 2 degrees warmer with a light sweater, and 4 degrees warmer with a heavy one. Add a hat, scarf and gloves for even more warmth. There’s no reason you can’t bundle up in the privacy of your own home, so put on a sweater and cut down your energy bill!

While turning your lights off to save energy is old advice, it’s still relevant. You may be shocked by the amount of electricity you can save by starting this simple habit. You also will be saving money when it comes to your power bill.

TIP! Electric heaters are an energy hog and should be avoided as much as possible in the winter. They are not environmentally friendly.

In your high traffic rooms, place automatic light sensors that have motion detection to light the area. The sensors will make sure that there is no light in rooms that aren’t being used, and that will save energy and a great deal of money! Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.

Weatherizing your home is a great way to make it more energy efficient. Seal the ducts, add insulation and install energy-efficient windows, and you will consume much less energy. You will also love the financial benefits that these simple changes can bring!

Don’t stop using ceiling fans in the winter. They can be used to push the warmer air away from the ceiling when you put them in clockwise rotation. This will reduce the amount of time you need to run the furnace. The energy you will save from not having to use the furnace as much will cover what you need for the fan.

TIP! When decorating for the holidays you should forgo traditional lights and get LED lights instead. A study conducted by the United States Two billion KWh if everyone made the change, to be exact! That amount of power is enough to supply 200,000 homes with electricity for a whole year.

Making ice on your own helps save a lot of time and energy. Automatic ice makers tend to use more energy than necessary, and they malfunction frequently. There are also prone to getting leaky seals, which ends up raising the temperature inside of your freezer. If you make your own ice, you won’t have to deal with these problems.

Even if you don’t agree that we should be concerned about global warming, you can still benefit from green energy technology. You can save on utility bills by doing simple things like turning the lights off when you aren’t using them.