In this economy, every home owner can benefit from being frugal, and using green energy is a great way to accomplish this. Keep reading for a few great ideas on how you can convert the standard technology in your home to greener energy, enjoy greater savings in your out-of-pocket costs, and reduce your impact on the environment.

When creating an outdoor light set up for a garden path or patio, think of solar powered lamps as an option. They are inexpensive and don't require electricity. Not only does this save energy. It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.

If you aren't home, use a window covering. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy costs. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.

Make sure that your home is completely sealed from all drafts, if you want to live green and use the principals of green energy. Windows and doors are your biggest culprits for letting hot and cold air out of your home. So, seal them up and start saving money.

Use rechargeable batteries. While they might cost a little bit more initially, they will save you a lot of money in the long run. Rechargeable batteries can be used hundreds of times, and they only need to be replaced about every five years. Another benefit is that you aren't constantly adding corrosive batteries to the landfill.

Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent, and they come in sizes that fit most existing fixtures. While the up-front cost is generally higher, most of these bulbs will last for years before burning out.

A good way to save on your electric bill is to switch to a laptop computer rather than using a desktop. This could possibly reduce your electrical use by 75 percent, especially if the Internet is used frequently or there is heavy use of word processing software. The other benefit to using laptop over a desktop is that it is portable, so it can be taken anywhere!

Try sealing gaps underneath your doors and windows during the summer and winter. This can prevent the warm or cool air from outside from entering your home, which will help keep your home at a good temperature all year. You could also try putting in rugs to provide more insulation to your floorboards.

To help you improve the green energy efficiency of your home, consider installing solar panels in your home. Solar panels are a good source of renewable energy and can be installed at a relatively low cost. In addition, you will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and other forms of unsustainable energy.

Consider opting for a solar hot water heating system. If you must use hot water to run your dishwasher or do your laundry, a solar hot water system can benefit you. If you live in an area where freezing is not a concern, a direct circulation system will be perfect for you.

Don't overlook your utility company's resources when it comes to making your home greener. Some of the websites of these companies contain tools to show you the amount of energy you use. They may also provide you with advice on how to cut your energy costs and electricity usage. Also check out programs they offer to help with the purchase of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.

After reading this article, you can see that green energy technology isn't so hard to implement. You just need some basic knowledge like this to help you. Use the tips from this article to help you make your home more green, so that you can save energy.