Taking care of the planet is more important than ever. Not only will it benefit the environment, but your own pocket too. When it comes to saving money, taking control of your energy consumption can have a huge impact on your bottom line. If you’re looking for a few ways to make your home more environmentally friendly, here are some great tips to get started saving energy and money.
Water Usage
Wash clothing in cold water. Nearly 90% of the energy that is consumed when you wash your clothes is taken up heating the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Also, be as energy efficient as possible by only washing full loads of clothing.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it if you want to save energy. It is wasteful to run the dishwasher with just a few items inside. You might be surprised by how much you can actually fit in the dishwasher. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.
Electricity & Heating
Speak to a technician to find out if your fuel oiled heating can be changed to an alternative fuel, such as biodiesel. A lot of existing systems can change to some bio-diesel utilization without modifications or using any extra parts. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better effect on the environment.
If you are a fan of green living and green energy, try using your electric heaters as little as possible during the winter. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. Keep in mind, cooler air while sleeping makes your breathing better, and keeps your airways from getting too dry.
You can save on your energy bill by dressing warmly. Even just a lightweight sweater keeps you two degrees warmer, and a heavyweight sweater will keep you four degrees warmer. You do not have to dress lightly at home, so save money by putting on a sweater and turning down the heat!
Maintain your refrigerator well. A refrigerator uses lots of energy so should be kept in good working condition. Use your duster to clean around your heating coils on a regular basis. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.
Save energy by buying products that conserve energy. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. This will reduce both your home’s heating and cooling bills.
Consider changing out your old windows and replacing them with newer, more energy-efficient models. 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.
Solar Power
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. While when you use passive they use the thermal energy from the sun in order to store energy inside the walls of your house and heat your household with it.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. These ovens can be quickly assembled, and reach 300 degrees in temperature simply using the sun.
Get Your Home Checked Out
Hire experts to check your plumbing and heating systems before investing a lot of money in installing new, greener systems. They can let you know how much money inefficient appliances are costing you, and they can also provide you with an idea of the amount of money you would have to spend to make upgrades to your systems.
Every little action goes a long way when it comes to caring for the environment and action starts at home. Just imagine the outcome if we all put these tips into practice!
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