You can cut energy costs and make an environmental stand by using green energy at home. There is no need to invest in a hybrid car to join the green energy revolution! Continue on for some simple tips that will show you how to turn your home into one that is energy efficient on any type of budget.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. Using natural gas and electricity is certainly the norm, but it’s not very energy efficient. By contrast, solar energy is very efficient, and it keeps water temperatures steady just as well as traditional heating methods. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
Speak with your utility company about receiving your electric power from a renewable source. Many metropolitan areas get some of their power from hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, or wind powered plants. Often, the electric company can simply apply a certain amount of your electric bill to renewable energy without you needing to make any other changes.
If your home has a pool or hot tub, look into a solar water heating system. Installing a solar water heating system costs about the same as a conventional system, but operating costs for the system will be much lower. Repair costs for solar heating systems are often lower as well.
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.
Insulate your home. A pre-1950 home that isn’t insulated will use approximately 60 percent more energy than a house that was built after 2000. Adding sufficient insulation to your attic and basement will greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. As well as keeping you warm in the winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.
Use solar hot water. By installing a solar hot water system, you can use solar power to heat the water you use for everything in your home. It will work for your showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. If you are worried about not getting enough sun, you can invest in a small, traditional water heater as well.
Before you start shopping for a wind power system, know how much power your home consumes. In order to get the most out of a residential wind power system, it needs to be the proper size. If your property is hooked into a utility grid, your wind system should be sized to provide about 50 – 80% of your power needs.
Now that you have read this article you surely can see how easy it is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Show your family how simple it is to live a green lifestyle, and maybe they’ll follow suit! Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.