Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Going Green In A Few Simple Steps!

By Charmain Hanko


The environmental and monetary costs of powering a home can be greatly reduced through green energy sources. If you want to incorporate green habits in your home immediately, read the following article to learn how to save money and the planet.

In your most active rooms, you should put motion detection lights. 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! Don't forget to also include the outdoor lighting above your garage, too!

Find out more about active and passive forms of solar power. While active power requires storage cells, passive power doesn't. Active power uses solar panels, cells and mechanical systems. Passive systems use the sun's rays to store energy withing the walls of your home and are significantly cheaper.

Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. Wear lighter colors, as warmer colors make you feel warmer and more likely to put on artificial cold air.

Weatherizing your home is a great way to make it more energy efficient. Weatherizing simply means to ensure that all ducts are sealed, install energy-saving windows and doors, and add extra insulation in your walls, basement, and attic. this will also lead to a decrease in your energy bill.

Adjust the setting on your thermostat according to the seasonal temperatures. During winter, lower it a bit and raise it up a bit in the summer. If you do this in conjunction with adding or removing clothing when necessary, you can stay comfortable while using less energy.

Clean or replace the filters on your furnace once each year, and check once a month to see if they need to be cleaned. Warm-air registers should also have filters installed on them. This not only helps keep debris (and kids' toys) from entering heating ducts, which reduces efficiency.

Take the battery out of your laptop if you are using it at home so that you can save money by running the computer using AC current. The battery does not need anymore energy once it is to capacity. If you then remove it, you will save the life on your battery.

Remember that buying green technology is an investment that will pay off later. While greener technology is often more expensive initially, the long-term savings will more than offset this. A bonus is that you will be helping to protect the environment.

If you can't get renewable energy like solar to do your whole house, see if it'll power one room. A good place to start would be by replacing your hot water heater. Replacing this one appliance can save you a lot of money.

When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This prevents unpleasant surprises in the winter, and it saves money during the summer. Also, if you make use of the net usage plan from your electric company, you will get returns from your utility company for generating energy during summer.

By developing good, environmentally friendly habits, you can start saving money now. Being environmentally friendly does not take an advanced degree or a scientific background. Use the tips presented here that fit your own situation, and incorporate them into your life. It's easier than you think.




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