Perhaps you have heard how great solar panels can be for your home. Between financial and environmental issues, green energy use is beneficial. This article describes other simple and effective ways to make your home green and energy efficient.
Use solar heating systems to heat all your water in order to save money. Both natural gas and electricity are inefficient heating methods, while solar water heaters use the sun to constantly heat your water. Although some of these systems cost more initially, many qualify for tax credits or deductions.
Unplug your chargers when they aren't being used to charge your devices. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw "phantom power" if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.
When you are not using something, turn it off. When you leave a room, switch off the lights, computer or T.V. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
You can get rid of your old, tank style water heater and switch it out with a new, greener, tankless one. While heaters that are tankless still need electricity or gas, they will not heat more water than you need, which is what a water tank heater does. You can purchase tankless water heaters that are small enough to heat one faucet, or large enough to heat your entire house.
There are many renewable energy rebates offered by the government, so be aware of them. Sometimes, you will find that a local utility company can give a rebate for the total price of the upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. These credits and rebates reduce the price you will pay to install green tech products at home.
Heat your house with biofuels. These fuels come from vegetable or animal fats, wood, and oils. If you have a propane furnace, a professional can usually make changes that allow you to use this blend of fuels. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Be sure you discuss any new fuel use in your home with a pro before starting.
Replace old appliances with those labeled Energy Star. An appliance that has Energy Star uses less energy than an appliance that doesn't have it. Energy Star ratings promise 40% less energy for dishwashers and 50% less for washing machines.
One way to use less energy in the kitchen is to use a microwave oven. Stoves and ovens use a lot more energy than microwaves. So when you can "nuke" your food, do so to cut down on energy usage.
As you can see, solar panels provide many desirable benefits to residential home owners, cost and energy savings aside. It is not particularly difficult to "go green" and those new ways of living last a lifetime. Solar panels are a great addition to your going green efforts and will instantly update your home.
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