Alternative energy, like solar, wind, or hydro, is a great way to decrease home costs while helping the environment. If you'd like to make the energy that you use to power your house's technology a little bit greener, just keep on reading. You'll find some excellent suggestions on how you can get started.
One of the simplest ways to be environmentally friendly is to install a water-saving toilet. Some estimates show that up to half of all the water used in your home is flushed right down the toilet hole. The older models of toilets use about 5 gallons every time you flush. A water saving model will only use about 1.6 gallons which means you save close to 70 percent of you water per year.
Make use of ceiling fans even in the winter. When you change their rotation to clockwise, they move warm air from the ceiling downward, and that keeps the air in the room a little warmer. That reduces the demand placed on heating appliances like a furnace. The fans use much less electricity than your heater or furnace, which will cut your electric bill.
Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. Contact your city or county government and ask about energy conservation programs available in your area. You may qualify for wind or solar installation with little cost, or possibly you may be able to use it as deduction on your taxes.
Do you have a farm? If you have one, an energy company may be interested in renting a portion of the property to install a wind turbine. You and those around you can benefit from the free energy. A turbine doesn't take up much space, either.
You can actually use biofuels to add heat for your home. These fuels are comprised of oils, woods, vegetable, or animal fats. Typically, if your furnace uses propane, professionals can easily provide changes so you use these fuels. You would be able to use anywhere from 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Talk to a professional before you use these types of fuels so you can do it safely.
Upgrade the cooling and heating system in your home to geothermal systems. A geothermal system places the pipes underground and filling them with the refrigerant and water needed to heat and cool your home. The water and refrigerant travel through the pipes to a temperature-control machine, which is used to change the temperature in your home. These underground systems are a great deal more energy efficient as they are not affected by air temperature.
Take advantage of government rebates on renewable energy installations. There are times when your utility company can offer discounts and rebates for your upgrade costs. You may also be able to get tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
The next time you decorate your home or tree for the holiday season, use LED lights instead of standard light strands. A study was conducted by the U.S. The Department of Energy show that 2,000,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity could be saved if all Americans switched to LED lights. This is enough energy to power 20,000 houses in one year. But for your own part, this is a great way to cut that power bill down.
Appliances with the Energy Star certification bear a distinctive logo that makes them easy to identify. When you see any appliance that has ENERGY STAR on it, then that means it meets guidelines approved by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. You can get a tax rebate from these type of items, as well.
Look for skilled professionals to do your work. Before you buy a system that uses alternative energy and is expensive, you have to research as much as you can to be sure it will save you money and do what it claims it will do. If a salesman that is promoting a product seems a bit overeager to sell, make them provide strong evidence that their product works.
To keep your house war, check your insulation. If your home was built more than 30 years ago, the chances are high that your home needs more adequate insulation. That will keep your home warmer and cut down on heating costs.
Starting to use green energy means that you will save yourself money today, and save the planet tomorrow. As this article states, going green isn't something that is expensive or complicated. Use the advice you find here in working to create an environmentally friendly house today.
