When you hear the term "green energy", you may be slightly confused. If you don't already know, green energy is, essentially, renewable energy that can be used with a minimal negative impact on the environment. Green energy can be used in various ways in the home, as this article will show you. Do not clean your solar panels with abrasive chemicals. You should use some lukewarm water, a soft cloth and some biodegradable soap if needed. Clean your panels at least once a month or more frequently if you notice your green energy system is not producing as much power as it should. Turn off all appliances. When not using appliances in your home, make it a habit to turn them off when not in use. Items such as televisions, computers, and lights should all be off so you can prevent unwanted energy use. Not only is this good for using less energy, your electric bill will be much less too! Start using batteries that have been recycled or else use rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries are full of toxins and actually take about half of the energy they put off, in order to produce. If you are using disposable batteries, be sure to recycle them. Rechargeable batteries, however, can be used over and over again. Replace an old washing machine with a high-efficiency model for a greener way to do your laundry. High-efficiency machines come in both top-loading and front-loading designs that use less water than standard machines. They also spin clothes at high speeds to wring more water out of them, helping them dry faster. If at all possible, consider switching your electric or oil heating to gas. This is both better for the environment and your pockets. Just be aware that this is can be a complicated job that should be taken on by a skilled expert, should you decide to make this switch. Use solar hot water. By installing a solar hot water system, you can use solar power to heat the water you use for everything in your home. It will work for your showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. If you are worried about not getting enough sun, you can invest in a small, traditional water heater as well. Eventually, it will pay off to get green appliances and electronics. Green technologies are often a little more expensive than traditional items but the investment will pay off in the money that you save on decreased utilities. It is also going to ultimately pay off for the environment. If at all possible, consider switching your electric or oil heating to gas. This is both better for the environment and your pockets. Just be aware that this is can be a complicated job that should be taken on by a skilled expert, should you decide to make this switch. You should never use a small amount of warm water all at once. Doing this will just gradually increase your overall energy usage. Instead, try using all the warm water you plan on using immediately. For example, you should try having all your family members take a quick shower at once. Learn all you can about solar power that is active and passive. Active power is the power stored for later use and passive doesn't require pricey cells for storing power. Active solar power requires a lot of involvement in the form of installation, mechanics, and power cells. Passive solar power is simply making use of the sun to keep thermal energy in your walls so you can heat your home. If the time comes that you need a new toilet, purchase one that is energy efficient. A lot of water is wasted by constantly flushing, which has a negative impact on both your water bill and the environment. Many newer toilets have a flush feature that allows you to use less water. Many people want to do their part to save the environment, but have no clue what actions they need to take to do so. There are a wide variety of alternative energy solutions that are perfect for consumers to do their part. This article has great tips to help you use green energy now. Since you know about green energy, there is no reason why you shouldn't be using it. Green energy not only helps you, but helps the environment, as well. The sooner you make use of it, the better off everyone will be. Remember the contents of this article and implement green energy in your home. If you are repairing or replacing your roof, and you have good sun exposure, look into having photovoltaic (PV) cells integrated into the roofing material. Modern PV cells are much less noticeable than older styles. If you don't use all of the electric generated by your home, some utility companies will even let you feed it back into the system for credit against your bills. If you cannot afford to purchase a solar energy system for your entire house, consider using it in just one or two spaces. Solar energy is a great option for heating swimming pools for instance, or bringing additional warmth to a cooler bedroom. You can always start small and purchase more later, as your budget allows. A solar oven can be made to assist you in your baking needs. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. They require only sunlight to reach a temperature of more than 300 degrees, and they only take a few minutes to construct.