Often, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about renewable-energy for the home are large solar panels installed on the roof. But, renewable home energy doesn’t end there. Whilst solar panels are a great way of generating your own electricity and are more financially viable now than ever, they are certainly not the only option available. New and innovative technologies and energy sources are set to rise and the truth is that almost any homeowner will find that there is a a renewable energy option which is perfect for their home.
Using renewable energy in order to power your home can either reduce or completely eradicate your utility bills and there are often tax incentives available for installing renewable energy sources which makes them much more cost effective.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the heat that comes from below the earth’s surface and can be used to generate clean and renewable energy. This is a vital energy resource which supplies renewable power that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all whilst emitting little to no greenhouse gases.
There are benefits that come from using geothermal-energy, such as being eco-friendly and reducing the cost of energy quite dramatically. In the US, geothermal energy is becoming quite common due to consistent shallow ground temperatures, so geothermal heat pumps can be installed almost anywhere. But, you need to have your ground and home fully evaluated before any installation can begin.
Solar Air Conditioning
Whilst it may seem unusual to use the heat of the sun to cool down and clean the air in your home, it is something that works well. Using the same principles of a solar water heater, solar air conditioning systems use hot water to power.
Air conditioning systems use more electricity than anything else in your home. As well as the installation of stainless steel ducting, the general running and maintenance of air conditioning can cost you a substantial amount of money each year, particularly if you have a central air conditioning system in a hot climate.
Using a solar air conditioning system to cool your home will save you money as well as helping the environment and, as a bonus, the hot water which is produced for your air conditioning system can also be used for many other applications in your home.
Residential Wind Power
We’re all familiar with the huge wind turbines that dominate the countryside skylines, but when it comes to wind power, it is now becoming more and more common to be used as a renewable energy source for your home.
Using wind power for your home is renewable, clean and powerful and can save you money. Installation options are dependent on your location and, once installed, you may well see a return on your investment in 6-30 years. After this, the electricity which the turbine produces is essentially free, meaning that this is a great investment to make.
Solar Shingles
The large solar panels that we all know have had an upgrade in recent years. Photovoltaic roof tiles, or “solar shingles”, are a new and useful option for homeowners who are looking to lower their electric bills. These shingles are considerably cheaper and easier to install than the traditional solar panels and are much more pleasing on the eye. Solar shingles tend to blend in with traditional roofing tiles seamlessly and also help to protect the roof from the weather elements.
Solar shingle providers claim that a cluster of around 350 shingles on a room could cut homeowners monthly electric bills by around 40-60%, which over time builds up to thousands in savings. In the US, there are local, federal and state tax incentives which make the installation even more appealing.
