Renewable energy is becoming the new goldmine given the growing environmental concerns and rising electricity costs which has led many to look for methods to combat these issues.
The good news is that by making little sustainable transitions, you can make a big difference in your bills and the climate.
This post dives into 07 practical and easy ways to incorporate renewable energy sources into your daily routine to increase savings and contribute towards the betterment of the planet.
Let’s dive in!
Today many of us depend on fossil fuels for generating electricity.
This reliance has undeniable consequences and the adverse effects on the environment are a rising concern.
Although big-scale action to reduce the impact is necessary, individual effort plays a crucial role.
The good news is, you can live a more sustainable life by integrating renewable energy sources into your home.
From harnessing sun power to making smart gadget picks, many methods exist to integrate renewable energy sources into your daily life.
This blog post unveils 7 ways to use renewable energy at home that will help you shrink your carbon footprint and save money in the long run.
Let’s unwrap the methods to make a greener tomorrow and save huge bucks!
Climate change and rising energy costs make you do all possible things to mitigate this concern.
It makes you think of switching to eco-friendly living many times.
However, transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, you don’t need to revamp your entire home to experience the difference. Here is a list of 7 easy and practical ways to use renewable energy at home.
1. Solar Power
Solar power is the most popular in the world of renewable energy and there are many good reasons for it.
It offers a sustainable and clean way to generate electricity for your home.
Solar panels reduce reliance on the traditional grid and significantly minimize the impact on the environment.
Solar panels are made of silicon cells that capture sunlight and create electric currents to power a household.
The more sunlight hits these cells, the more electricity they produce.
Find out the solar sales strategy in case you are planning to become a seller.
And if you are thinking of installing solar panels on your property, you should consider the following things.
i. Feasibility Evaluation
You need to evaluate your energy consumption to determine the number of solar panels required to meet your needs.
Assess the suitability of the roof for solar panels.
You can call a professional to evaluate the size of the roof, structure solidity, and position.
For example, south-facing roofs with good sunlight exposure are considered ideal for panel installation.
Once your roof is assessed and considered ideal for solar panel installation, obtaining permits from local authorities is vital before beginning the process.
ii. Financial Investment
The upfront cost of solar installation can be significant for many homeowners.
The average cost of solar panels ranges between $8500 to $30500 depending on many factors like type and number of panels, roof angle, etc.
However, rebates, government incentives, tax credits, and long-term savings on energy bills can make investment in solar panels worthwhile.
Check out 15 Secret Tips To Cut The Electric Bill Of Your Business In Half.
iii. Choosing Solar System
There are several types of solar panels available today each having different costs and varying efficiencies.
You need to consult with a professional to understand the right type of panels for your needs that fall under your budget.
You can also add a battery backup system along with your solar system.
Although a battery system is optional, it stores excess solar energy for later use, especially during power outages and at night.
2. Solar Water Heating
Solar water heating is another brilliant method to use the sun’s energy to heat water for your home.
It not only minimizes your reliance on traditional water heaters but also lowers your energy bills significantly.
There are two types of solar water heating systems namely ‘direct systems and indirect systems.
Direct system circulates water through solar collectors on your roof directly.
Once the water is heated, it is stored in an insulated tank for using it later.
Although a direct system is affordable and simpler, it is not considered ideal for areas with the lowest temperatures.
This is because the water in the solar collector can freeze in cold temperatures and even damage the system.
On the other hand, indirect systems use heat transfer fluid that circulates through the collector.
This antifreeze solution or fluid absorbs heat from the sun and transfers it to a separate tank with the help of a heat exchanger.
Indirect systems are comparatively more expensive than direct systems but are considered better in freezing temperatures.
Integrating a solar water heater system into your property comes with several advantages.
As this system reduces reliance on conventional water heaters, it adds up your savings by reducing energy bills.
This system is a form of renewable energy that minimizes your carbon footprint.
Government and local authorities offer many incentives and rebates to encourage switching to solar water heating.
So, this renewable energy source is a smart investment for your home.
However, you must pay attention to certain factors when making your investment decisions.
3. Wind Energy
Wind energy is another intriguing option after solar panels and solar water heating.
If you live in an area where you get ample wind, installing a small wind turbine is a great way to generate clean electricity and minimize your reliance on the traditional grid.
A small wind turbine is a tiny version of the large turbines you must have seen in wind farms.
Turbine blades create lift and rotate when wind passes over them.
This rotation is directed by a generator to produce electricity.
HAWT (horizontal axis wind turbine) and VAWT (vertical axis wind turbine) are the two main forms of wind turbines.
HAWT is the most common type of wind turbine that resembles the large turbines you must have seen in a big field.
The blades of this turbine rotate on a horizontal axis just like a windmill.
VAWT blades spin on the vertical axis.
Although VAWT offers better performance in unsteady wind conditions and operates quietly, they are comparatively less efficient than HAWT.
Before installing a wind turbine on your property, consider the following factors.
i. Wind Speed
To get optimal performance, your location should get a consistent flow of winds.
You can talk to a qualified installer or consult wind resource maps to assess the wind potential of your area.
ii. Zoning Regulations
Check whether wind turbines are permitted in your location or not.
Reach out to local authorities to know what regulations you are required to comply with.
iii. Obstructions
Wind turbines require unobstructed winds to function adequately.
Make sure there are no buildings or trees that can block winds from reaching the blades of the turbine.
4. Solar Oven
Solar oven utilizes the sun’s heat to prepare food.
This ingenious device is a fuel-free way to cook meals.
It is one of the best options for people who are looking for eco-friendly cooking.
It can be classified as a product of Human-centered design thinking given its sustainable design and its emphasis on human experience.
Although solar ovens come in various designs but all follow a similar approach of ‘capturing and concentrating’ the sun’s heat to prepare food.
The following are the key components of a solar oven:
- Insulated Box (for capturing sun’s heat).
- Transparent Cover (glass or durable plastic top to allow sunlight to enter).
- Reflective Surface (increase the cooking temperature and concentrate the sunlight onto the cooking pot).
- Cooking Pot (absorbs heat and cooks food).
Before using a solar oven, you need to keep the following things in mind.
- It requires sunlight to function, it doesn’t work properly in areas with limited sun exposure or cloudy days.
- It takes longer to prepare meals, so you need to be very patient.
- Its temperature ranges between 200°F to 350°F, so it might not be able to cook all types of recipes.
- Best for slow-cooked dishes.
5. Biomass System
Although wind and solar energy are the leaders in the renewable energy world, biomass system is another great way to lower carbon emissions and save money for homeowners.
Biomass systems utilize organic materials like chips, pellets, or organically grown crops to produce heat and even electricity.
Pellet boilers and biomass gasification systems are the two major kinds of biomass systems for homes.
Pellet boilers burn wood pellets which is an efficient and convenient fuel source made from compressed wood waste.
The heat that pellet boilers produce is utilized to warm your home via a hot water heating system.
Whereas, biomass gasification systems are more complex and convert biomass via gasification into combustible gas.
This gas powers a generator that produces electricity for your house.
Although biomass system offers several advantages, you should consider the following factors before opting for them.
- To ensure the sustainability of the fuel source, make sure the biomass fuel comes from renewable crops.
- Burning biomass impacts the air quality. Ensure proper ventilation or high-efficiency systems to minimize the issue.
- It requires dedicated storage space.
- Regular maintenance of biomass systems is necessary to minimize emissions and ensure optimal performance.
Read 5 Sustainable Methods For Construction Companies.
6. Smart Thermostat
If you are tired of rising energy bills, you can make your home energy-efficient and comfortable with a smart thermostat.
It is all about the smart heating and cooling system of your house.
Investing in a thermostat makes your home energy-efficient, comfortable, and convenient.
With scheduling features, learning capabilities, and remote control, you can manage the climate control at your home.
A smart thermostat connects to your WiFi and allows you to monitor and control your home temperature remotely from your smartphone or other devices.
Some thermostats come with smart features that learn your preferences and create comfortable temperatures automatically while saving energy.
You can set a schedule for your heating and cooling system based on your daily routine, making your home energy efficient when you are away from home.
Many smart thermostats seamlessly integrate with your speakers and motion sensors to create personalized climate control.
For example, it lowers the temperature when you are away and adjusts the temperature based on the occupancy of the room.
To make your home energy efficient with a smart thermostat, you need to consider your needs and choose the one that falls under your budget and aligns with your lifestyle.
Explore ways to save money and live on a budget while also getting what aligns with your lifestyle.
Make sure the choice of your thermostat is compatible with the existing system.
Although some thermostats are easy to install, consider hiring a professional to set up complex systems.
7. Upgrading the Lighting
Upgrading your home lighting is another way of making your home energy-efficient while reducing the impact on the environment.
You need to replace those old and inefficient incandescent bulbs with LED (light-emitting diodes).
LEDs are not only brighter but also increase your energy savings.
LEDs use semiconductor technology that converts electricity into light without producing much heat like incandescent bulbs.
It produces light in a particular direction which reduces wastage of energy compared to incandescent bulbs that throw light in all directions.
Also, LEDs last comparatively 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
This ensures that you purchase fewer LEDs, reducing the hassle of replacement and also increasing your savings on this outlay.
LEDs use 80% less energy, leading to considerable energy bill savings.
As it emits less heat, it lowers air conditioning costs.
It comes in various colours, allowing you to create a personalized ambience for every room.
LEDs are environment-friendly as they reduce energy consumption, leading to a small carbon footprint.
Find out Home Lighting Design Ideas For Your Home Renovation.
Biggest Benefits of Integrating Renewable Energy Sources at Home
Renewable energy sources at home provide several benefits to the owners.
Also, to make a property home efficient and increase its overall value, many people opt for home improvements.
This demand has given contractors numerous home improvement leads.
However, even a big revamp doesn’t make your home energy-efficient.
So, consider incorporating renewable energy sources at your home to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.
The following are the biggest benefits of this smart move.
1. Save Money
Renewable energy sources can help you reduce your dependence on the traditional grid which translates into lower utility bills.
This aids homeowners in saving a lot of money in the long run.
Also, in some cases, homeowners can sell the excess electricity by sending it back to the grid.
2. Increase Home Value
Many studies have shown that a home with renewable energy features boosts its overall value.
Properties with renewable energy features often sell faster and for more money.
If you are thinking of selling your home in the future, renewable energy integration can save you some money.
3. Minimum Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are among the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
Traditional grid uses fossil fuels to generate electricity.
By switching to renewable energy sources, you minimize your dependency on fossil fuels which helps in reducing the impact of climate change and conserves these resources for the future.
4. Sustainable Future
Switching to renewable energy sources helps you live a more sustainable lifestyle.
By integrating green energy into your home, you also encourage people around you to make this move.
This switch spreads a positive message that you are committed to a sustainable future and you care about the environment.
Investment in renewable energy is one of the ways to become sustainable whether as a business or as an individual.
5. Energy Independence
As renewable energy sources significantly reduce your reliance on the traditional power grid, you become more and more energy independent.
Incorporating these green features into your home is specifically beneficial for those areas where frequent power outages are common.
6. Clean Water and Air
Renewable energy sources generate little to no pollution.
This helps you improve the quality of water and air in your community.
Breathing clean air and drinking safe water improve your health as well.
7. Control Over Energy Consumption
Renewable energy systems give you more control over your energy usage.
With a green source like solar power, you can monitor your energy production and consumption and make adjustments accordingly.
You may be interested in these 4 Biggest Challenges When Companies Are Committed To Sustainability.
Concluding Thoughts
Integrating renewable energy sources and adapting energy efficiency practices can transform your home into a sustainable dwelling.
Now you know there are several options to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and save money on your energy bills while creating a comfortable home environment.
Let’s take the right step and contribute to the betterment of the environment and our lives
