How to run a clean energy home and why is it such a good idea?
Green energy and living sustainably is big news right now. Many people are realising just how much our reliance on fossil fuels is harming the environment. The good news is that there are several renewable energy sources out there, including solar power, wind turbines, hydroelectricity and air source heat pumps. So, it is easier than ever to switch to a greener lifestyle and run a clean energy home.
Why go green with a Clean energy home?
There are all kinds of benefits to running a clean energy home. For instance, it helps to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are infinite and will one day run out. Burning them in excess also causes air pollution. Renewable energy has less of an impact on climate change and comes from inexhaustible sources. For homeowners, running a clean energy home can cost less than using gas, oil or electricity for the National Grid. It also makes good use of otherwise wasted space. For instance, installing solar panels on the roof.
Running a cleaner home and following a greener lifestyle can be very easy. It just requires some research to start you off into the best methods to use. Then, you may need to make a few changes to your home, for instance installing solar panels. After that, it’s a question of sticking to your new routines to save energy and live more sustainably. Here are some ways you can create a clean energy home and create a greener way of living.
1. Solar power
In the UK, solar power accounts for nearly 3.3% of total renewable energy used. Solar power systems work by harnessing energy from the sun’s rays and turning it into electricity. You can install photovoltaic panels on the roof of your house. Or, you can put them on a flat, outdoor surface that gets a lot of sunlight. For instance you could use a wall or a free-standing frame. Solar power systems work by converting the sun’s energy that hits the photovoltaic cells in the solar panels to electricity. So, they need a lot of exposure to the sun to work effectively.
This electricity is then used to power the home or stored for future use. Electricity created during the day can be used later on, at night or during dull weather when the sun cannot provide enough energy. After the solar panels have been installed, you will start saving money on your fuel bills. This is because you won’t have to rely so much on power from the National Grid for your clean energy home. You can use your own solar panel-generated electricity instead.
2. Wind and air power
Some homes can be powered by alternative forms of renewable energy, as well as solar power. These include wind turbines and air source heat pumps. There is also the option of hydroelectricity if you live in a suitable area that’s near a river or lake. Ask your local renewable energy advisor about different forms of clean energy home. You might be able to combine more than one renewable energy source to create an even more sustainable power system for your home. It can give you substantial savings over fossil fuel-powered systems such as oil or gas.
3. Be smarter with your energy use
Pay careful attention to the energy you do use in the house and look for ways to cut back. For instance:
- Replace all light bulbs with lower-energy LED and fluorescent versions
- Turn lights off when you are not using the room
- Run the air conditioner a few degrees higher for lower energy usage and consider just using it in one room, rather than the whole house
- Switch to fans for a lower-cost, greener way to keep cool in summer
- Likewise, turn the temperature of your hot water down a little. As a result, you will save energy without really noticing a difference
- Switch off devices such as computers and TVs when you are not using them.
4. Get a green home inspection
Ask your renewable energy advisors to arrange a home energy inspection to see where you are using too much energy unnecessarily. For instance, they will check your insulation to make sure it is working properly and not letting heat escape. Look at all the doors and windows to ensure there aren’t any gaps where cold air can come in. Have an appliance safety check and turn off anything that you are not using regularly. Find out how you can switch to using renewable energy around the house to make your carbon footprint smaller.
5. Spread the word
Once you are running a clean energy home, you will not want to go back to your former ways. You may also want to spread the word about your new sustainable lifestyle. Tell your friends, family and neighbours about things like solar power, wind power and ways to save energy. This is the best way to bring your whole community to the clean energy way of life. Once you know more people living in clean energy homes, you can swap tips and even share the costs of items such as solar panels on two semi-detached houses, for example.