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!
Air dry your laundry. If the weather allows you to, after you wash your laundry, instead of running it through the dryer, dry it on a clothesline outside. Let the sun and wind dry your clothes for you. Using an electric dryer will only use up energy, and if the weather is nice, you can save energy easily. In addition, your clothes will last longer.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
Are you a farmer? Companies are actually looking for space to put wind turbines in, and a small part of your property can be used as one of those spots. You will benefit from the wind turbine’s free energy and it will take up minimal space.
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.
Plant trees around your home. The trees will help provide shading for you home and therefore will help keep your home cooler in the hot summer months. It will not require as much air conditioning to keep it at your desired temperature. Since trees lose leaves in the winter, they will still allow the sun to come in and help heat your home during the winter months.
Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days. Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal!
To practice good green energy habits you should make it a priority to recycle at home. Anything that is recyclable should be sorted out and stored in a recycle bin. By doing this, you are taking an active role in making sure the environment is safe for everyone while also cutting down on energy costs.
While it will take some time, effort and dedication to put what you’ve learned here into effect in your home, the rewards will be worth every second. Lowered bills, less reliance on the grid and a warm, fuzzy feeling in your heart are just some of the benefits you’ll enjoy, so get started today!