There are hundreds of tips on how to conserve energy such as added insulation, upgrading windows and minimizing wastes. However, nothing will improve the efficacy of a home more than the source of electricity.
Have you ever heard the terms sustainable energy or zero net energy? If not add them to your vocabulary now because they are coming to our world in mass, and that’s great for us and the environment. There are essentially renewable and non-renewable sources of energy. If the source is depleted once used, its non-renewable and vice versa.
Renewable Energy Sources
There are numerous methods of creating energy – this article lists only a few of the most efficient at this moment in time.
The Wind is an old form yet has recently gained popularity again. You need a fairly large plot of land for the current systems, although one of the newest is a simple tree form with multiple small turbines blowing. You also have to have a sufficient amount of wind. They are not inexpensive but they can save a substantial amount of energy. Hydropower is another option if you have the necessary flowing water nearby and the permits to use it.
Now geothermal is actually in use and producing a huge amount of energy, up to 75% in one state. The requirements, however, can limit many states from employing this. Pathways to the heated sections of the earth must be easily accessible- fluid must flow through the rocks and then be surfaced to a turbine to create electricity.
Solar has little or no availability issue and you don’t need a turbine or an acre of land to take advantage of the benefits. They are now being installed all across America and many of them in attractive double duty fashions. Some homes are using the panels as shades in addition to gathering the sun’s energy to lower their power bill. In fact, some homes are utilizing a passive solar source that heats the water and the radiant floor heating reducing overall costs.
The tilt of your panels can increase the efficacy by directing them to the most unobstructed sunlight. They do need a regular routine check up to replace any parts on occasion but that isn’t much maintenance. They can be grid connected or not and the size of your home will determine how many panels you need.
The latest trend appears to be community solar systems where the entire neighborhood benefits and contributes to the project. All homes should qualify for the tax benefits too.
Zero Net Energy
This is one of the newest entities- buildings that create as much energy efficient as they are expected to use resulting in a zero utility bill for an entire year. They are grid connected and depending on jurisdictions utility companies may pay for energy exported to their company.
BLOG SOURCE : FORMER BRISBANE ELECTRICIANS POSITIVE POWER