Everyone wants to be "green", even if Kermit says it isn't easy. An excellent first step for the homeowner is to use green energy within their home, but most people don't know where to start. This article will guide you through some strategies which will help you to green your home in no time!
Consider a ground-source heat pump for the home you are considering to buy. A ground source heat pump makes use of the constant temperature of the ground in order to heat and cool the home. The ground temperature will be warmer than the air in winter but cooler in the summer, making for highly efficient heat exchange.
Make use of fans inside the home. You can easily use floor fans or have a ceiling fan installed to increase airflow inside the home. You can use these even if you already have an air conditioner because you can turn the thermostat higher and just use the fans for air movement.
Install toilets that have the WaterSense label. These toilets use around 30% less water, and are have been tested for maximum efficiency and performance. The average toilet is flushed around five times a day, and with these WaterSense labeled toilets, about 4,000 gallons of water can be saved a year.
While it makes sense to change from traditional light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs you should wait until your old ones are all burned out. It is not a good idea to throw away perfectly good bulbs in order to make the switch since that would be a way to waste energy as well.
As you ready yourself to make the switch to green energy, try getting a step ahead of the game by decreasing your present energy needs. By using less energy, it will be that much easier to switch to alternative sources because you won't be using as much. Good ways to start include using less light in your home, shortening hot showers and using cool instead of hot water for laundry.
Consider the amount of energy it takes to run your computer. Different people hold different opinions on whether they prefer the use of a desktop or a laptop. There are two things for sure that cannot be argued against when it comes to laptops. They are portable, and they save you money on energy costs when compared to desktop computers. Computers are one of the pieces of equipment in your house that uses the most energy, so why not save some money?
Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished.
Ensure that your dishwater is set to the proper temperature. Check the manual that came with it for the manufacturer's recommendations on what the water temperature should be. Many models have an internal heating elements which can let you set your water heater to a much lower temperature, such as 120°F.
Consider the possibility of selling some of the green energy you generate to the utility company in order to cover the cost of your initial investment in the energy generating equipment. Many utility outfits today will buy energy directly from consumers and this can really make going greener pay off for you today and well into the future.
Especially in extremely warm climates, it is important to do as much as you can to save on cooling costs. One thing you can do is to use trees and bushes to shade your home, and this in conjunction with other strategies will save you much on energy consumption and costs.
If replacing all your windows and doors simply is not an option, you can still improve their energy efficiency quickly and cheaply with nothing more than a caulk gun and some weather stripping. Run your hand around the outer edge of doors and windows to feel for cool areas that indicate leaks, then apply a thin layer of caulk or a weather strip.
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