Using Windows To Make The Best Of Green Energy
How are you using green energy in your life right now? If you can’t answer that question, you have to read this article. Green energy is clean, safe and cheap, so it is smart to make the most of it. Read these tips to find some smart ways to put green energy to use in your life.
When shopping for new appliances, choose the ones where the energy star rating is in the most efficient range. Even if you cannot afford new appliances, you can choose new parts for your old appliances that are much more efficient and will help your old appliances save money and energy like new ones.
Think about using the wind to power your home for an excellent source of green energy. You will not only be off the power grid, but the wind is an emission free source of energy that is in plentiful supply in many areas of the world. The initial cost may be high, but the savings in the long run are high as well.
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!
Turn off all appliances. When not using appliances in your home, make it a habit to turn them off when not in use. Items such as televisions, computers, and lights should all be off so you can prevent unwanted energy use. Not only is this good for using less energy, your electric bill will be much less too!
Look for national and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. Sometimes your utility company may offer additional rebates which will help pay for the expense of the systems. In other cases, there may be tax deductions or credits available from either the state or federal government. These credits and rebates could reduce the cost associated to installing green technology in your house.
Consider a ground-source heat pump for your home. A ground source heat pump makes use of the constant temperature of the ground in order to heat and cool the home. The ground temperature will be warmer than the air in winter but cooler in the summer, making for highly efficient heat exchange.
Replace your light bulbs with eco-friendly bulbs. These light bulbs will last longer, burn brighter and use less power. The only downside is that they are more expensive than regular light bulbs. However, you will get your money back when your energy bills start decreasing and you won’t have to constantly buy new light bulbs.
Carpool so you can use less fuel. If you have children that you take to school or sporting activities, try setting up a carpool with other parents, and trade off the days you will drive. You could also start doing your grocery shopping with neighbors or friends and switch on and off with who does the driving.
Save money on your heating bill by heating every room separately. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. This is especially convenient and effective in larger homes.
If you have a stream or creek on your property, you may want to look into using a micro hydro-power system as an energy alternative. The flow of water through a turbine will produce energy. Many times the amount of energy is not enough to fully power a home, but will offset the cost of your electric bill each month.
Windows
A helpful tip to live greener and conserve energy is to have the windows in your home tinted. The windows in your home act like glass in a greenhouse and when you want you home to be cool, the windows will heat it up and work against your air conditioner and cost you a bundle.
Make sure that your home is completely sealed from all drafts, if you want to live green and use the principals of green energy. Windows and doors are your biggest culprits for letting hot and cold air out of your home. So, seal them up and start saving money.
Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days. Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal!
Try sealing gaps underneath your doors and windows during the summer and winter. This can prevent the warm or cool air from outside from entering your home, which will help keep your home at a good temperature all year. You could also try putting in rugs to provide more insulation to your floorboards.
Upgrading the windows on your home can go a long way with saving your money on energy costs. If you do not have energy efficient windows on your home, you could be paying an extra ten to twenty-five percent on your energy bill each and every month. Think about what kind of difference that could make if you upgrade your windows in conjunction with other energy-saving steps.
Installing storm windows can go a long way in helping you save on energy costs. There are both interior and exterior options to choose from. Installing storm windows is said to save you anywhere from twenty-five to fifty percent of heat loss. Make sure to add weather-stripping at movable joints of the storm windows.
Many homeowners overlook wasted energy in the garage when they are trying to conserve. Heat in an uninsulated garage can literally go out the windows and doors. If you are interested in green energy, start by making sure your garage is properly insulated. Be sure to check with your county about building codes before you start.
Get some green plants in your home and your garden. Green plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen: keeping plants in your home is a good way to balance the harmful emanations from your heating system. It is also a good alternative to opening up windows and losing heat to change the air in your home.
Weatherize your home, and it will become more energy-efficient. Seal the ducts, add insulation and install energy-efficient windows, and you will consume much less energy. You will also help reduce the cost of your energy bill in the process.
Try to install some new, high-performance windows that can improve your home’s energy efficiency. While it can take multiple years for these new windows to pay off with your energy savings, their benefits of added comfort, better aesthetics, and much better functionality can offset the cost in the long run.
Now that you have read the article, you know that green energy is smart energy. It is safe, cheap, and clean. Take the tips in this article and use them to make your life greener. Apply the tips to your life, and you will soon see how green energy is beneficial for you.
