It is very important to have an understanding of the best way you can use renewable energy in your everyday life. Considering or making the switch to renewable energy becomes even more urgent when thinking about the possible consequences for the planet if it continues consuming fossil fuels at its current rate.
This blog post will teach you a few of the different ways that renewable energy could help you save money, reduce pollution, and make your home more comfortable.
Homeowners Can Save Money On Their Energy Bills By Installing Solar Panels
The initial outlay for a solar panel system is relatively high, but it’s worth it in the long run. The panels can be installed anywhere, even on the south-facing side of a garage. You can talk to a company such as the one at https://windmar.com should you want to find out how they can be installed at your home. It takes about 5-7 years for solar panels to make a substantial contribution to your energy bill reduction and that time frame fits well with the useful life of most appliances.
If you’re buying or selling real estate, installing solar panels in the last year will make the home more valuable because it contributes to a low energy bill for the buyer. If your property value has remained level or increased over time, it may be possible to get a mortgage with no money down by using the power generated from solar panels as part of your financial qualifications.
If you’re renting your home, solar panels can save money because the landlord will pay for the installation. The landlord may even offer reduced rent to offset expenses.
It’s possible to have solar panels installed in such a way that they generate sufficient power for all of your needs, including electric vehicles and water heating. This is called going off the grid, but you still need to pay for Internet service and get utility power for your refrigerator, freezer, furnace, and air conditioning.
Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy available today. Using solar panels means that carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by approximately 1 metric ton per year per kWp.
Install A Geothermal Heating System To Keep Your Home Warm In The Winter
Geothermal energy is another form of an environmentally friendly power. The system uses the earth’s core temperature to heat and cool your home. The initial cost of installing a geothermal heating system is expensive, but you will save money on your energy bills over the long term.
Geothermal systems are very effective at keeping homes warm in the wintertime because no outside air is used. You don’t have to worry about the weather, just turn on the air conditioning or heating system, and you’re good to go.
If you are building a new home, geothermal energy can be considered as an extra cost for your contractor. The initial cost is high, but it will be paid off over time as your energy bill savings add up. If there’s a contractor in your area who specializes in geothermal energy systems, it may be worth looking into.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling real estate, consider the energy efficiency of a home when determining its value. If the property taxes are low because there’s no requirement to use electricity to heat a home during the winter, then installing geothermal energy takes your property value to the next level. Geothermal systems are very low maintenance.
Invest In A New Water Heater That Uses Less Energy Than Traditional Models
Do you cringe every winter wondering what your energy bills are going to be at the end of the month? There’s a good chance that your water heater is one of the biggest contributors to a large energy bill in cold months. Switching to an Energy Star model will help you save up to 50% on your annual energy costs.
To get started, first determine how many gallons of hot water per minute (GPM) you need from a new water heater. You can determine this if you know the size of your family and how many people are in the home at once. A family of five would need a water heater with approximately 50-75 GPM capacity, while a single person living alone will need about 30-40 GPM.
Once you know how much hot water is needed at any given time, you can compare the Energy Star ratings of various models. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few candidates, compare each one to see how much energy is saved when using this specific model. This comparison will show you which models use the most energy, and it could be what makes your final decision for which water heater to purchase.
Replace The Rest Of Your Appliances With Energy Star Models
Your dryer isn’t the only appliance you can replace. Energy Star-labeled computers, televisions, washers, and dryers can all help lower your carbon footprint and your utility bill. After replacing your water heater with an Energy Star model and purchasing new energy-efficient appliances, you’ll probably find yourself using less electricity overall in the home.
Use LED Light Bulbs Instead Of Traditional Incandescent Light Bulbs
Traditional bulbs use more energy and send more heat into the room from the bulb itself. LED light bulbs won’t overheat, as most of their energy is used to create light instead of heat. With a traditional incandescent bulb, nearly 90 percent of the energy is used for creating heat, leaving only 10 percent to produce light.
LED bulbs are using 80-90% less energy, use 10 percent of the heat given off by incandescent bulbs, and can last for up to 25-30 years. If you are in the market for new light bulbs or replacing floodlights on your home’s exterior, consider the Energy Star rating on an LED light bulb as part of your decision-making process.
There are many ways you can take your use of renewable energy to the next level. Try these tips to start saving money and contribute to a cleaner environment! Have any other ideas for what we should write about? Let us know in the comments below, or email [email protected] with your thoughts!
