Solar panels help to save money and conserve energy. There are a ton of incentives for making the switch, from environmental benefits to government grant programs. This article describes other simple and effective ways to make your home green and energy efficient.

If you are thinking of designing your outdoor areas with lighting, consider using solar lamps instead of conventional power. They are inexpensive and dont require electricity. This not only saves money. This saves you money, and it also means you dont need to wire the outdoor lights.

Use a solar water heater to keep your pools, tubs and plumbing full of piping hot, but cheap, water. Using natural gas or electricity is not as efficient as solar power, and solar water heaters can keep the water temperature steady. Making some of these changes will cost you some money up front, but you can recoup some of these costs with tax deductions for using green energy.

When doing laundry, try to use cold water. Nearly 90% of the energy that is consumed when you wash your clothes is taken up heating the water. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. In addition, remember that a washing machine will be most energy efficient when it is full.

If you arent home, use a window covering. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. Generally, your homes south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Window coverings such as roller shades, roman shades or dark curtains can be used on all windows.

You can get rid of your old, tank style water heater and switch it out with a new, greener, tankless one. Even though these green versions of water heaters still use electricity or gas, they only need it to warm the water youre using instead of heating it at all times. There are tankless heaters that can supply just one single faucet with water that is hot, but there are also models which supply the whole home.

If you try to promote living sustainably then use your heater as little as you can during winter. Ways to cut down on electricity include wearing warm clothing indoors and using a fireplace to heat your home. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.

Passive Solar Power

When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Active power is energy that gets stored and is used later. Passive is energy that can be used without expensive cells. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive solar power, on the other hand, just draws heat from the sun and stores it in your walls for heating purposes.

As you can now see, there are many benefits to homeowners that are provided by the use of solar panels. They can easily be purchased, installed, and enjoyed for years to come. Solar panels are a great addition to your going green efforts and will instantly update your home.