If you have been avoiding switching to green energy because you think that it is too expensive or does not offer enough benefits, you may want to reconsider your position. Green energy is more affordable than ever, and using sustainable solutions in your every day life can yield great savings. To learn more about how you can benefit from green energy, take a look at this article.
Check your doors and windows to see if any of them are leaking or drafty. The leakier your house, the more it costs to keep it warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If you find leaks, have them fixed so that you are not wasting as much energy. Adding more insulation to your home can also reduce your energy usage.
There are a lot of simple choices you can make every day around the house to reduce your energy usage. For example, the next time that you have to change a light bulb, choose a compact fluorescent or LED bulb instead of a traditional incandescent bulb. CFLs and LEDs use a lot less energy than incandescents, and they have much longer life spans as well. When you leave a room, make sure that you turn off the lights. When you leave the house or go to bed at night, unplug any appliances that may be continuing to use electricity even when not in use. A few simple changes can really add up to a lot of savings.
Talk to your utility company to see if they offer a green energy option for your household. More and more energy companies are giving their customers the option of choosing energy produced through renewable means, such as wind, geothermal or solar. There may be a small premium for choosing this option, but as more and more people switch to renewable energy, this premium will decrease. In many places, the cost of renewable energy is already competitive with that of fossil fuels.
When you are shopping for a new appliance, whether it is a washing machine, refrigerator or television, keep an eye out for the “Energy Star” label. An appliance that receives this label has been certified as meeting certain standards of energy efficiency. Choosing an “Energy Star” appliance can end up saving you hundreds of dollars over the life of the appliance. In some cases, the appliance will pay for itself in energy savings.
Whenever you can, use cold water to wash your clothes. If you use hot water for all of your laundry, you are not just paying for the cost of running the washing machine but also for the cost of running your water heater. Using cold water will get your clothes just as clean, and you will reduce your energy usage at the same time. To save even more, try drying your clothes on a clothesline or a drying rack, instead of just sticking them in the dryer.
Switching to green energy is a great way to save money by reducing your energy usage. Not only will you be helping yourself, you will be helping to conserve valuable natural resources and preserving the environment. Going green is a lot easier than you think, so get started today!
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