Save energy, power your house and go green
By Hiruni Dasanayake
There are many energy alternatives that will not only reduce your utility bills but also reduce the ecological impact to the lowest possible level. Below are some energy sources you can use to power up your home while making a life time investment.
■ Install rooftop solar panels or a solar array.
This is probably the most common and obvious method, if you’re looking into renewable power. Solar is, in some ways, the easiest solution, or at least one of the most accessible. Plugging into the sun requires photovoltaic solar panels, an inverter, and batteries that can store a bit of any excess energy for a rainy day.
Solar panels typically go on your roof, although you can also install them in your yard. Depending on your latitude and the orientation of the panels, you could generate 10 or more watts per square foot. A typical house consumes at least a kilowatt of power, so a few square feet of solar panels should be enough to power most or all of your needs.
Solar panels require little maintenance once installed and can provide large amounts of electricity in fair weather. It can be expensive,but consider this as a life time investment.
If your current roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you could also consider investing in solar shingles. Where standard rooftop solar panels are mounted on top of your current roof, solar shingles actually take the place of your roof tiles.
■ Install a solar water-heater.
It’s not always necessary to install a complete solar array to achieve some of the benefits of solar technology. Installing a solar water heater can be a great way to cut down on energy costs at a much lower initial expense.
Solar water heating (SWH) is the conversion of sunlight into heat for water heating using a solar thermal collector.
The costs associated with the installation of a solar water heater are actually recouped much faster than the costs associated with photovoltaic technology for power generation. This is due to the
■ Install a wind generator (residential wind power).
Wind turbines are most commonly found in wind farms or floating offshore, but if you have enough real estate you can install a small wind turbine on your property to power your home.we have seen those massive wind turbines that tower stories high, but with wind energy, it’s possible to think small! In fact, small wind energy is becoming more and more common as a home renewable energy option.
Small wind energy is powerful, renewable, clean, and can save you money. Depending on your location and the type of home wind system installed, you’ll typically see a return on investment in anywhere from 6 to 30 years. After that, the electricity the turbine produces will be virtually free. A home wind system is an excellent investment, your money is going to increasing the value of your home, rather than just spending money you’ll never see again on your monthly electricity bill.
There are a few downsides to a wind turbine that make them less popular in residential areas. They can be ugly and make a lot of noise. They take up space, and depending on where you live, local laws and zoning regulations may outright forbid it.
But if these disadvantages don’t apply to you or don’t bother you, wind power may be a great asset.
Wind power is more stable than solar, and a goodsized wind turbine can easily generate most or all of your electricity needs. Depending on your area, wind might be a better renewable investment than solar.
■ Go for a hybrid wind and solar energy system.
If off-grid living is your ideal scenario, a hybrid wind and solar energy system just might be the perfect system for you! Hybrid systems feature both wind turbines and solar panels to double up on the generative power.
Many renewable energy experts suggest installing hybrid wind and solar energy systems for off-grid living in particular. These systems are the most efficient and reliable, since wind and solar energy tend to be most available at different times. Since the peak operating times for wind and solar systems occur at different times of the day and year, hybrid systems are much more likely to produce power you need, when you need it.
■ Give micro hydropower a trial.
This one only works if you live near moving water, but it can be very effective. Installation requires running a pipe from a high area where water is flowing to a lower piece of ground. Energy is produced as water moves downhill and turns a turbine at the end of the pipe.
Some micro hydro systems have been capable of producing ten or even 100 times more power than wind or solar. Unlike wind and solar, it can run nonstop and overnight, so long as the water continues to flow. An inverter and batteries can be connected to store extra energy if needed.
■ Install a rainwater harvesting system.
Rain collector systems are extremely simple mechanical systems that connect to a gutter system or other rooftop water collection network and store rain water in a barrel or cistern for later non-potable use (like watering plants, flushing toilets, and irrigation).
These systems are extremely inexpensive, provided you purchase and assemble the rain collection equipment yourself.
All these energy sources will power up your house with minimum environmental impact hence giving you a chance to go green.