Cutting back on the amount of resources that it takes to run your home may be easier than you once thought. With a few simple changes and perhaps some bigger ones, you can lower your carbon footprint while cutting down on energy costs. This article will show you how to get started.
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage is a simple way to conserve energy. When you are not using certain appliances, unplug them until you are ready to use them again. Turn off all lights and televisions when they are not being used. This is easy to do and saves a lot of energy.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. By doing certain upgrades to your home, you can often earn extra incentives and even cut backs on your energy bill.
During the heat of summer, wear natural-fiber fabrics instead of turning on the air conditioner. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, remove moisture from skin so that you stay cool. If you wear lighter colors, you will also feel cooler than if you wore black or another dark color.
Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Almost 90% of the power you use to do laundry is simply used to heat the water. Just make sure you don’t harm your clothes in the process; check out the labels on your clothes and make a judgment for yourself. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
It is more important than ever to focus on green energy, especially as oil prices continue to rise. When armed with the proper information, you can make informed decisions about green energy technologies. Apply the ideas from this article, and start enjoying your greener life.
