You no doubt hear people talking about green energy technology, but you may not be sure what they’re talking about or exactly how it applies to the typical homeowner.
The purpose of this article is to explain some general concepts about green energy. In other words, this article will clarify and describe the big picture, then break it down and show you how it applies to each and every homeowner that wants to apply some great ideas to save money on their energy bills.
Green Energy Technology defined:
According to the Mother Nature Network… green energy technology is
…an umbrella term used to describe any sort of alternative energy that is produced with less negative impact on the environment than ‘non-green’ energy sources such as fossil fuels.
And, there are any number of growing companies involved in the green energy industry. They produce new technologies like solar panels, windmills and hydro based power plants. Many consider nuclear energy a green energy technology. Obviously, we aren’t going to be buying any nuclear powered dishwashers and hot water heaters; at least in the foreseeable future. So, here are some great ideas for you to use to Go Green and save money…
Green Energy Technology in your home: Tax Savings on New Appliances
The government has grants available to those who are willing to invest in alternative renewable energies, or green energies. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. Some areas provide rebates for green energy product installation, or provide tax relief as an incentive. And, over time you can save a lot of money on your energy bills.
For example, the State of Maryland in conjunction with Energy Star is working to bring the benefits of energy efficiency and lower utility bills to Maryland residents. See this article on Maryland’s Energy Administration’s Website for some great ideas: ENERGY STAR, the Maryland Energy Administration, and You.
Green Energy Technology in your home: Simple Solutions for Going Green
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it if you want to save energy. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. You may be quite surprised at the number of dishes your dishwasher can handle in one load. Set up the plates so that you fill it up as much as possible.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is filled to capacity. The energy used is the same whether you are washing a small load of dishes, or one that is larger. When running the dishwasher, ensure that you are using the energy-saving option, which allows the air-drying of your dishes.
Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. 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 heaters that supply the whole house, or ones that supply just one faucet.
If you would like to live your life green, stay away from excess electric heater usage. Instead, start wearing warmer clothing indoors and use a pellet stove or fireplace to keep main living areas heated. Cool air helps sleeping patterns, as well as improving breathing.
Unless cold temperatures become a real problem, it is better to keep the heat turned down. If it is a little chilly, simply put on a sweatshirt, and pair of sweatpants. If you turn the heat up to 75 degrees, you are using a ton of unnecessary energy.
For more great Residential Energy Saving Tips… see Residential Energy Saving Tips … Learn 15 Things that will Empower You to Save Money.
And, for more tips on how to save money, see our recent articles on High Efficiency Air Cleaners and Reducing Plumbing Costs. There are some great ‘green’ ideas here as well!
In Summary, the tips presented will help the planet and save you money at the same time.
If you want to “go green” and do your part to help save the environment, you have a lot of options. Many of these options will not cost you money, but will also save you money, like cleaning your furnace filter monthly and turning down your thermostat when you are leaving your home. Lowering the temperature of your water heater can save energy as well. Little things like this add up!
After learning more about green energy technology, you are probably eager to get started using it. Make use of the advice you have here to get started with green energy right away. This technology will have a positive impact of the environment and your pocketbook. Stay tuned for more articles, but if you want some simple solutions to get you started, just call our office for more information.
