Going green is being strongly encouraged by the government. Adding a renewable energy source to the home certainly seems daunting, but it is much easier than most people think. There are even a few ways you can earn money back on your investment…
Below are some pros and cons of the common renewable energy sources found in the home, to help you decide if it’s a change you can make.
Solar
Solar panels are probably the energy source you associate commonly with the home. Most people have panels on their roof these days. They work by converting sunlight into electricity that you can then use to power your home and devices.
Obviously these panels will generate more electricity during the day when the sun is out. This power can be stored in batteries, so this method of renewable energy is still viable after the sun has gone down. You can even sell any excess power you have back to the national electricity grid as part of the Government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Solar energy can also provide hot water and heating all year round. Using solar panels, a solar heating system can be mounted on a wall or even fitted to the roof. The power generated will heat up water from a hot water cylinder. To use solar to power your heating, you will need to install larger panels. The size of these depends on the size of your home.
Wind
We all know the image of wind turbines on big wind farms, but did you know that you can get a smaller wind turbine for your own home? They can either be freestanding or built directly into your building.
Wind turbines generate power by wind turning the blade, triggering the internal turbine and creating power. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that a 5kW pole-mounted turbine could save you around £280 a year on electricity bills, as well as earning £440 per year on SEG payments.
Insulation
Installing a brand new renewable energy source into your home is not the only way you can make your carbon footprint smaller. Thermal insulation is meant to prevent heat loss by creating a barrier between two areas that are vastly different in temperature.
Although this is not a renewable energy source, making sure your insulation is up to scratch is a sure fire way of making sure you’re reducing your carbon footprint and your energy bills. Have a look for cavity wall insulation installers near me.
Reducing your carbon footprint has truly never been easier. Hopefully the above advice has assured you that installing a renewable energy source in your home is not impossible. It is clear that advances in renewable energy are being made every day. The sun is not just being used to create electricity anymore. Soon, it will be used to power heating systems and boilers. It is worth getting ahead of the game.
