Friday, March 8, 2013

Green Energy Ideas You Can Use In Your Home

By Aaron Dempsey


People have computers, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines ... the list goes on and on! Power is hugely important in everyday life, and without it many would be lost. Green energy is the best way to power someone's life without hurting the environment, and this article contains some simple strategies here for you to leverage in your own home.

Know when your appliances need to be replaced. If you have a major appliance, such as a furnace or air conditioner that is over 10 years old, you should replace them with newer, more energy-efficient models. Buying the newer, Energy Star appliances can save you a lot in the years to come.

If you are building a new house from the ground up, build with green energy in mind. Make sure that your property has enough room for a wind turbine, or add on a roof that is sloped correctly for solar panels. This will help to make alternative energy sources a reality for you, and save you money over having to make many conversions later on.

Get your whole family thinking about green energy by stocking organic, recycled or eco-friendly products whenever possible. Ask your kids to identify such products on the shelves at the store and explain why those products are better for your family, your home and your environment. You can also segue such conversations into other eco-friendly practices like shutting off the water while brushing your teeth or turning off lights when not in a room.

Avoid putting hot foods in their fridge or freezer for people looking to save energy. When you put hot foods in the fridge, it warms the total internal temperature causing your appliance to run longer to get it back down to the desired temperature. Rather, let your food cool before you refrigerate it.

Make sure that your air vents aren't blocked in some way. Blocked air vents can lead to increased energy usage due to the fact that you will turn up the cooling in your home because you don't feel the air coming out. Thoroughly inspect them to ensure nothing is blocking the air. If there is, you'll be surprised at the difference once you eliminate the problem.

A great way to help save energy when using a dishwasher is to avoid using the dry cycle. The heat generated during this cycle uses lots of energy and can be completely avoided if you just leave your dishwasher open and letting them dry naturally in the open air.

Take your own bags to the supermarket to bag your groceries. You can use plastic or paper bags you have gotten on previous trips to the store or purchase cloth bags for this purpose. Some stores even offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags, so you can save money as well as the environment.

Whether you want to listen to music or drive across the country, the fact that you're taking the time to learn how to do it in an environmentally responsible way is commendable. Use what you've read in this article to continue doing what's best for the environment and people around you.




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