Top Tips To Start Getting The Most From Green Energy
Article by Sam Permiaza
Make use of your ceiling fans to make the air cooler during the summer. The ceiling fan keeps air circulating, which can create the feeling of cooler air. This is especially so if you run the fan with the air conditioner on. You will be able to set your thermostat much higher because the ceiling fan is doing some of the work.
Turn your water heater temperature down. Setting the temperature at 120 degrees will still allow steaming hot water to come out of your faucets and showers, but you will save on your energy bills. According to research, for each 10 degrees you lower your water heater thermostat, you can save about three to five percent on energy costs.
If you want to make better use of energy in your home but aren’t sure where to start, schedule a home energy audit from a professional auditor. These auditors can thoroughly investigate your home, and suggest ways to reduce your energy consumption, with green technology and other improvements.
If you do not need to use the lights in your home, turn them off. This includes when you are not even at home. When the lights are left on, they use a lot of energy, which is not only negative for the environment, but it is also negative on your wallet.
Consider hiring an energy consultant to do an evaluation of your home, prior to investing any time or money on green energy projects that may not be viable long term. A knowledgeable energy professional will be able to tell you which green technologies are most suitable to your home and the land it is on. Failure to know this information in advance may result in future disappointments and considerable financial losses.
For green energy use, always recycle your aluminum cans. The energy saved by just recycling one single aluminum can is enough to power a television for three hours. If everyone just recycled their aluminum cans, there would be more energy available for us to use for our everyday use and less energy wasted.
If you can, take your bike to work instead of driving. Many people have a very short commute to work but have never even considered riding their bicycle to work. This reduces greenhouse gasses and will save you on gasoline for your car. An added benefit is that the exercise is good for your body.
Use light bulbs that are energy-efficient. Conventional light bulbs use entirely too much energy and create a lot of heat. Energy-efficient bulbs last much longer and don’t give off that much heat. They can sometimes give off dimmer light, so make sure to use as many as you need in your rooms so you have comparable amounts of light.
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.
Using green energy doesn’t have to be time-consuming or overly expensive. Simply getting fluorescent light bulbs, turning off appliances when they are not in use, or installing a programmable thermostat can help. Remember the tips in this article, so you can go green for the environment and for your wallet!
About the Author
Leeanne Pacitto blogs and forums about PV Panels