Saturday, 20 July 2013

Ways You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

By Merv Carlson


There is no need to wonder why going green is gaining popularity. Employing green energy technologies can save you money on your utility bills while having a positive impact on the environment. Keep reading for some ways to start using green energy right away.

Choose solar-powered lights when installing outdoor lighting in your yard. Solar-powered lamps are usually inexpensive, and they don't need any power source besides the sun. Not only does this save energy. It also means you don't need to wire your outdoor lights.

If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. When you use these two things in tandem, you will find your heating and cooling bills will plummet. You will save energy, as well as money.

Be a better consumer of energy, and cut your home energy usage by unplugging your electronic chargers when they are not in use. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw "phantom power" if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.

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. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. These filters keep children's toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.

Use a green and tankless model as opposed to a tank-style water heater. Tankless water heaters do require energy for operation, but since they heat water on demand, power is not wasted by keeping a full tank hot 24/7. You can purchase tankless water heaters that are small enough to heat one faucet, or large enough to heat your entire house.

Instead of buying that new desktop computer, purchase a laptop, as desktops use much more electricity. These portable machines will reduce your electrical use by 75% while you do everyday tasks. Not only that, the laptop offers you the benefit of taking it anywhere.

If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. This will guarantee that you will have energy no matter what the weather brings, and it will result in a surplus during the summer. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!

Make your carbon footprint smaller and use less energy by using some of the great ideas above to show that you care about the environment. The money you save can make the changes even more enticing!




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