We need to understand that taking extra care of the planet is important, this is why we should continuously strive towards green energy. There are lots of alternative, eco-friendly energy sources you can use, such as solar or wind energy. What can you do to incorporate green energy in your life? Continue reading and you just might find out.

If you are thinking of designing your outdoor areas with lighting, consider using solar lamps instead of conventional power. Not only are they a reasonable purchase price, but they do not require electricity to run. This, of course, will save you a lot of money. It also ensures that there is no need to wire lights outdoor.

Lower the cost of heating your indoor water, pools and hot tubs by switching to solar water heating systems. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. Certain upgrades, though expensive, qualify for specific tax deductions.

Be socially responsible, and unplug electric chargers for all devices that don’t need immediate charging. Your charger still uses energy while it’s plugged in, even if it isn’t charging anything.

Biodiesel fuel might be an option if your current heat source is fuel oil. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels. The bonus of doing this is a cleaner burning fuel that is generally also more efficient, and you’ll lessen your impact on the environment also.

During the summer, you should try drying your clothes out in the sun instead of using a dryer. The sun will make your clothing smell great. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! You will also save on your utilities bills by line drying your laundry.

When you consider solar heat for your home calculate potential hours of sunshine for energy generation during the winter months. When you do this, you understand how much you should be consuming on a daily basis during winter, and you won’t become surprised one day. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.

Storm Windows

If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Installing storm windows and doors can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.

Have the bulk of your correspondence sent to your email. In other words, choose to go paperless in any way you can. This kills two birds with one stone: you save energy and encourage businesses with whom you correspond to do so, as well. This protects the environment, too.

Carpool so you can use less fuel. If you have children that you take to school or sporting activities, try setting up a carpool with other parents, and trade off the days you will drive. Plan your shopping days to correspond with those of your friends. That way you can share a vehicle and the costs of fuel.

Make use of the microwave when possible to cut down on energy usage. Ovens and stoves use lots more energy to prepare food than microwaves. If popping items in the microwave can save some energy and time, it is a viable option.

While turning your lights off to save energy is old advice, it’s still relevant. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy. This has an environmental benefit and a budgetary one.

Water-saving toilets can get you started on a greener lifestyle. People have estimated that you flush about 50% of the water from your house down the toilet. Five gallons is the typical amount used by older models, while low-flow toilets consume about 1.6 gallons per flush.

An easy to get started in energy efficiency is to ask your electric company for help. A lot of them have the option on their website that will show you how much energy your household is using. They may also show ways you can lower your energy usage. They may also have programs that offer incentives for purchasing energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.

Inspect the seals on your refrigerator and freezer regularly to make sure that they are tight. Broken seals let the cold or hot air escape from your oven and fridge, wasting that energy and costing you money. A good way to test this is to see if a piece of paper can be held in the door or if it slips out easily.

Ceiling fans are not just useful in the summer. Putting them clockwise can get rid of the warm air that flows toward your ceiling, which decreases the amount of heating you need. The energy you will save from not having to use the furnace as much will cover what you need for the fan.

Program your thermostat in order to save energy and money. These thermostats have pre-programmed settings that regulate temperatures in your home in both summer and winter months. These thermostats regulate the temperature overnight and during the day according to your chosen settings.

One easy step to save energy is to be sure that your freezer and refrigerator remain in a cool place. Keeping them by heating vents or in direct sunlight raises their overall temperature, making them run longer to keep the contents cool inside.

Avoid buying bottled water. Typically, bottled water is made from tap water, and too much energy is used to bottle it. If you choose not to use tap water from your area, you can buy a re-usable water bottle with a filter.

Green Energy

Transitioning to green energy sources is a move everyone should work towards. Green energy helps decrease the impact on the environment. Now that you have more information, you can begin to introduce some green into your life.