They use less energy and a renewable resource. They are becoming quite popular with people who are concerned about the environment. But solar is just one step in making a home Eco friendly.
An Eco friendly home does not have to be a new home. Older homes can be converted into an energy efficient one with some remodeling, redesigning or renovation. Popular energy efficient changes include replacing appliances and adding new energy sources.
Adding insulation in your attic is a fairly easy and can greatly increase your home's efficiency. If you aren't ready to add a heat on demand hot water system, just putting an insulation blanket on your existing tank can help your energy costs and fuel consumption.
If you aren't ready to replace your existing windows, to double or even triple pane ones, you can invest in window coverings that insulate from the sun during from the summer and hold out the cold in the winter, don't forget to open them on sunny days and let the sun warm your home. Just replacing the weather stripping on your thresholds, or adding caulk to cracks helps cut down on drafts.
Replace your old appliances with energy star ones. Energy star appliances are certified to use a small amount of energy. They also have minimal to no pollutants released into the air. If an energy star appliance is one that uses water, it uses the least amount of water possible. If it uses electricity, it uses less than an appliance that doesn't have an energy star label.
The energy star label is not confined to appliances. The EPA and the US Dept of Energy also use the label to certify other household items. Some of these items include: heating elements, air cleaners, humidifiers and air conditioners. These items, displaying the energy star label, are environmentally friendly and income savers.
Other ways to Go Green with your home is using energy efficient light bulbs and low flow water faucets and shower heads.
Energy efficient light bulbs are called compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs. The light bulbs are proven to use less electricity and last longer than conventional bulb. They can be used indoors and out. Adding motion detectors and timers to your lighting will reduce consumption with little effort. Another great energy efficient light choice for outside is solar lighting. Don't buy the really cheap ones. Look for solar lights with at least 2 if not 3 LED lights. Those with just 1 LED will be very dim, 3 LEDs will light up nicely assuming they get at least 5 hours of sunlight a day.
Saving water is another step in Going Green with your home. Besides the Low Flow faucets and shower heads, purchase low flow toilets, front load washers, wash most laundry with cold water (except your whites), wash dishes by hand or only run the dishwasher when it's full, catch rain water for watering plants, take showers instead of baths or bathe once a week (only kidding). There's lots of ways to conserve, some you're already doing, I'm sure.
Wind energy is becoming more and more popular. Small wind turbines, to help generate power, are a rapid growing trend. I expect Boeing to start producing small propellers, similar to those seen on airplanes, made out of lightweight material that will withstand various wind speeds and temperatures. If not Boeing, then another company. Home wind systems will be as popular, if not more, because of the cost and the appearance. Remember when every home in America had an antenna on their roof. I believe the day is coming when everyone will have a wind turbine. They will come in many shapes, sizes and colors to match or blend with the roofing. They may even looks like works of art.
There are many ways to start living a more Eco-friendly life. The only thing that matters is that we get started instead of talk about it, one person at a time.
Wake up America, We can save this Planet!
An Eco friendly home does not have to be a new home. Older homes can be converted into an energy efficient one with some remodeling, redesigning or renovation. Popular energy efficient changes include replacing appliances and adding new energy sources.
Adding insulation in your attic is a fairly easy and can greatly increase your home's efficiency. If you aren't ready to add a heat on demand hot water system, just putting an insulation blanket on your existing tank can help your energy costs and fuel consumption.
If you aren't ready to replace your existing windows, to double or even triple pane ones, you can invest in window coverings that insulate from the sun during from the summer and hold out the cold in the winter, don't forget to open them on sunny days and let the sun warm your home. Just replacing the weather stripping on your thresholds, or adding caulk to cracks helps cut down on drafts.
Replace your old appliances with energy star ones. Energy star appliances are certified to use a small amount of energy. They also have minimal to no pollutants released into the air. If an energy star appliance is one that uses water, it uses the least amount of water possible. If it uses electricity, it uses less than an appliance that doesn't have an energy star label.
The energy star label is not confined to appliances. The EPA and the US Dept of Energy also use the label to certify other household items. Some of these items include: heating elements, air cleaners, humidifiers and air conditioners. These items, displaying the energy star label, are environmentally friendly and income savers.
Other ways to Go Green with your home is using energy efficient light bulbs and low flow water faucets and shower heads.
Energy efficient light bulbs are called compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs. The light bulbs are proven to use less electricity and last longer than conventional bulb. They can be used indoors and out. Adding motion detectors and timers to your lighting will reduce consumption with little effort. Another great energy efficient light choice for outside is solar lighting. Don't buy the really cheap ones. Look for solar lights with at least 2 if not 3 LED lights. Those with just 1 LED will be very dim, 3 LEDs will light up nicely assuming they get at least 5 hours of sunlight a day.
Saving water is another step in Going Green with your home. Besides the Low Flow faucets and shower heads, purchase low flow toilets, front load washers, wash most laundry with cold water (except your whites), wash dishes by hand or only run the dishwasher when it's full, catch rain water for watering plants, take showers instead of baths or bathe once a week (only kidding). There's lots of ways to conserve, some you're already doing, I'm sure.
Wind energy is becoming more and more popular. Small wind turbines, to help generate power, are a rapid growing trend. I expect Boeing to start producing small propellers, similar to those seen on airplanes, made out of lightweight material that will withstand various wind speeds and temperatures. If not Boeing, then another company. Home wind systems will be as popular, if not more, because of the cost and the appearance. Remember when every home in America had an antenna on their roof. I believe the day is coming when everyone will have a wind turbine. They will come in many shapes, sizes and colors to match or blend with the roofing. They may even looks like works of art.
There are many ways to start living a more Eco-friendly life. The only thing that matters is that we get started instead of talk about it, one person at a time.
Wake up America, We can save this Planet!
See more Going Green Tips at http://hubpages.com/hub/Going-Green-Tips
About the Author
Anita Burnett writes numerous articles on Going Green, Solar Energy Homes and Reduce/Reuse/Recycle. For more of her tips on Green Living stop by her blog at [http://solarenergyhomeblog.com], or if you have a Green Tip, stop by her blog and share with others.
About the Author
Anita Burnett writes numerous articles on Going Green, Solar Energy Homes and Reduce/Reuse/Recycle. For more of her tips on Green Living stop by her blog at [http://solarenergyhomeblog.com], or if you have a Green Tip, stop by her blog and share with others.
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