Due to growing concerns about global climate change, a growing number of US adults are for the use of alternative energy sources (e.g., wind or solar power) for their homes. According to the Pew Research Center, a growing number of homeowners are considering installing solar panels for their homes. Despite the interest in solar energy, only six percent of homeowners have already switched to renewable energy sources.
In the face of rising energy costs and global warming issues, now is the best time to make the switch to renewable energy sources. Installing solar panels for your home goes beyond environmental benefits; it can also offer the following:
Clean and Green Energy
Renewable energy derives from greener sources. Most emissions that contribute to global warming are from the electricity sector, where most industries use fossil fuels to generate power. Burning fossil fuels create higher levels of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, degradation of air quality, and global warming.
Renewable energy sources, on the other hand, release minimal greenhouse emissions, which slow down global warming and promote a cleaner environment.
Energy Independence
Renewable energy and self-generated energy storage help homes become independent from the coal-powered grid. By using solar panels for your home, you reduce your reliance on costly and environment-harming grid electricity.
Unlimited Source of Energy
Since renewable energy technologies utilize resources straight from the environment, it will not run out efficiently. These sources include winds, the sun, biomass, and tides. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are limited in capacity since they are difficult to obtain, which drives up both the environmental impact of extraction and costs.
Lower Maintenance Requirements
In most cases, generators that use renewable energy technologies require less maintenance compared to units that use traditional fuel sources. That is because wind turbines and solar panels do use flammable, combustible fuel sources. These sources also either have a few or no moving parts, which means fewer maintenance requirements. Lesser maintenance requirements translate to more money and time saved.
More Savings
Renewable energy sources help you save more money in the long run in terms of operating and maintenance costs. When you use technology that generates power from the wind, steam, sun, or other natural processes, you need not pay for refueling.
The amount of money you save depends on several factors, including the size of your home, consumption, and the technology you use. In most cases, transitioning to renewable energy sources can save you up to thousands of dollars.
Another reason renewable energy helps you save more is due to stabilized global energy prices. The cost of renewable energy depends on the initial cost of installing green technologies as opposed to traditional fossil fuels, which decrease and increase according to the availability of resources and the current inflation.
A Healthier Environment
During the combustion process, fossil fuels emit high amounts of greenhouse gasses, which exacerbate the frequency of greenhouse gases. On the other hand, green energy sources emit little to no pollutants or greenhouse gases, which means a smaller carbon footprint. The smaller the carbon footprint, the bigger the positive impact on Mother Nature.
How Can You Use Renewable Energy in Your Home?
If you wish to make the switch to renewable energy, there are four ways to incorporate it in your home:
- Use a geothermal heat pump to both cool and heat your home while using less energy compared to traditional heating pumps. Geothermal pumps enable you to control the temperature of your home without consuming too much electricity. During the winter, it uses a loop of pipes to circulate fluid back into your home and removes the heat from the liquid. In the summer, the pipes draw heat out of the house.
- A wind turbine produces electricity using the massive amount of wind force that moves the turbine blades. Since these turbines do not burn fossil fuels to create energy, it does not contribute to pollution.
- The sun produces enough power to cover the majority of your electrical needs. Invest in solar panels to power up your home. Purchase panels from licensed professionals so you can get the most energy out of the sun’s rays.
- This renewable energy source functions like wind power since it uses a fluid medium to generate power. Hydroelectric power, in this case, uses running water, which means you’ll need immediate access to a flowing water source. You’ll also need permission from local authorities if you wish to use a hydroelectric generator.
By making the switch to renewable energy sources for your home, you’re not just doing the earth a favor; you are also saving more on energy consumption and budget. Increase the six percent of homeowners going green with their energy by switching to renewable energy.
