It can seem overwhelming to make changes to your home. Find out where you should begin and compare your different options before investing in anything. For solutions to the problems potentially posed by going green with your household energy use, check out the following helpful tips.
Planning to go greener
If you are planning to go greener, you should consider fixing any taps that are leaking. Doing this will decrease the amount of water you use, and as a result, you will have more hot water in your home. This can really help if you are struggling to have enough warm water in the shower.
Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent, and they come in sizes that fit most existing fixtures. While the up-front cost is generally higher, most of these bulbs will last for years before burning out.
Install roof on property
Remember that solar panels, whether you install them on your roof or anywhere else on your property, must be angled toward the sun to receive maximum exposure. In the Northern Hemisphere, this means facing them south with an angle of latitude plus fifteen degrees. Otherwise, your investment will not return as much energy as you hope.
For green energy consumption, you might want to consider an alternative source for your power needs like solar power. If you live in an area with high sunlight year round, you can install these solar panels on your roof and supply parts of your home with this free and clean energy from the sun.
Don’t try to install a wind generator on a small piece of property. First of all, you’ll likely get complaints from the neighbors, as an efficient wind turbine needs to be at least 30 feet off the ground. Secondly, you need about an acre of land in order to ensure an unobstructed prevailing wind.
In a colder climate, make sure you weatherize your windows to be energy efficient. This will not only help you stay much warmer, but it will save you on energy costs. You can have this done for a fee, or you can do it yourself after purchasing the necessary products.
In order to save energy in your home, you may want to think about insulating your loft, attic, and/or roof. Since heat rises, it is important that they are insulated so you do not always need to use the air conditioner on your home. This is usually so simple that you can do it yourself.
Don’t leave your freezer and refrigerator open for a long period of time. Of course this can spoil your food, but it can also use large amounts of energy. When you are cooking but you need food from the refrigerator or freezer, keep it closed after you get something out of it.
Homes have different layouts and will have different areas that can use green technology. Green energy offers solutions for many homes, though it can vary. Some types of green energy work for every type of home, yet others don’t as much. Find the tips that will work for your situation and then, utilize them in your home.
