Green Living Way To Conserve Household Energy
by: saragilbertson
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Word Count: 477
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 Time: 11:29 AM
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There are many reasons why you want to adopt a green lifestyle, but saving money is perhaps close to the top. The furnace probably utilizes the most energy in your home so you need to ensure it's in good working condition. Up to 60% of the typical family's energy utilization comes from heating the home. Every two months, the filter must be replaced, and this will help keep it operating at optimum levels. A better option is to purchase a reusable filter and wash the filter when needed. While reusable filters are more expensive, you only have to buy it once, so you save in the long run. Just by performing some basic maintenance, you can up the efficiency of your furnace by as much as 50%.
Since energy is wasted at night, it is smart to install a programmable thermostat. You should also set the temperature several degrees cooler when you are all out of the house to save on the cost of energy. Hot water is yet another expense that can be reduced, by wrapping your heater in a blanket of insulation. These blankets are not difficult to get and are simple to install. The fiberglass blanket holds heat in saving the water tank from burning more energy to heat water.
One more alternative is to obtain a tankless hot water system. It's something to consider if you are planning to replace your antiquated hot water tank. Instead of heating the whole tank of water, and make sure it remains heated, you can get the water heated as needed. Tankless hot water heaters use less energy than regular tanks and can save you up to 50% off your energy costs. You can save a lot of money and energy by keeping your house cool naturally. During summertime your home can be kept cooler by merely using a ceiling fan, and keeping the screens and draperies shut. If you use an AC, see to it that you set it at 75 degrees and only make it cooler if the heat becomes intolerable.
Replacing incandescent lightbulbs will cost a lot upfront but you'll save in the long haul. Compact fluorescent light bulbs can last up to 10 times longer, and consume 75% less energy. This will not just save you some money, but put less light bulbs into the landfills. If you just changed five light bulbs, you can save as much as $30 a year. The simplest thing that everyone can do, is simply turn off the lights when they are not needed. We all leave the lights turned on so we will need to make a conscious effort to make it work.
If everyone made it a policy in their home whenever exiting a room to turn the lights off always, then the same could be done with all electronic gadgets that are used.
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