If you do not know a lot when it comes to green energy, this guide will supply you the information that you need. You will be able to help not only yourself, but your environment as well. Options abound–large and small–for ways to use green energy in your home. Follow the tips in this article to get started.

Switch to solar heating systems for water to lower your cost of indoor water. Both natural gas and electricity are inefficient heating methods, while solar water heaters use the sun to constantly heat your water. While a few of the upgrades are costlier up front, they might be eligible for tax deductions or green energy tax credits.

Use natural fabrics in the summer instead of turning up the AC. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Wear lighter colored clothes, as darker colors tend to make you feel hotter, which results in your putting on the AC.

Putting in solar panels in your home for solar energy is easy. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If you live somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine often, or in a shady location, you won’t get as much benefit from solar power.

It is important to clean your furnace filter on a regular basis to be sure you are using as little energy as possible heating your home. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.

Window Coverings

When you are away from home, use window coverings. You will lower your energy costs since this will help keep your home nice and cool. Try to close all your window coverings, but it is especially important to cover any south-facing windows. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.

Make sure your refrigerator is properly maintained. Since the refrigerator is an appliance that consumes a lot of energy, it is important to keep it in top-working order. Vacuum the coils frequently to remove the dust that can build up and reduce efficiency. Also, ensure that the door seals tightly and that it is clean.

If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm windows and storm doors reduce the amount of cold air entering the home in the form of drafts. If you use storm doors or windows, you can save at least 45 percent on your electricity bills.

Take time to read about passive and active solar power. Passive solar power doesn’t require the costly power-storage cells that active power does. To use active power, you must install mechanical systems, cells and solar panels. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.

Buy energy saving materials to help save energy in your home. Double glazed windows as well as eco-friendly doors reduces energy usage in the home. These products will help you reduce the costs of heating and cooling.

If you can afford it, invest in a laptop rather than using a desktop as they tend to use more energy. Laptops use about 75% less electricity than desktops, especially if the desktop is being used for the Internet or software programs. Not only that, the laptop offers you the benefit of taking it anywhere.

Save Energy

Upgrading your home’s boiler is a smart way to save energy. Many older boilers weren’t made to save energy, whereas the newer ones tend to be much more energy efficient. Not only can they shave money off your energy bill, but they benefit your health by releasing less carbon dioxide.

Replace old, energy-hogging appliances with new versions that are Energy Star rated. This is your guarantee that your new appliances will use less energy, and therefore cost you less to run. Energy Star ratings promise 40% less energy for dishwashers and 50% less for washing machines.

Use motion detection sensors on lights in the most popular rooms of your house. These will turn off lights in rooms if you aren’t in them, which will save money and energy. Remember to also have these lights outside above your garage and on your porch, too.

You can use ceiling fans in the winter. Warm air is pushed down when the fan is running in a clockwise rotation. This will save energy so that makes running the fans worth it.

Using your lights in a responsible manner is a great way to save energy, giving you a greener home. Don’t turn on any of your lights before it gets dark, especially during months where you get a lot of sunlight. Use dimmers to cut down on light use, and use sensors and timers to make sure that lights aren’t kept on if no one is inside the room.

One smart way to save money and be green is to keep your water heater temperature at 120 degrees maximum. This could possibly save a four-person household up to 10 percent each month on the power bill, yet this still offers an adequate amount of water at a safe temperature.

Try out one of many available home energy monitors so you can see your energy usage as it happens. These monitors meausure electricity usage in real time and approximate what your bill is going to be. It has been proven that people use less energy when they have a clear idea of how much it cost to use the energy.

Now that you know how to better use green energy in your home, you will soon reap all the benefits. Of course, the environment will also be a benefactor of your efforts. If you take the time to utilize the tips provided here, you’ll be able to see how simple it is to be green.