Where to Start
For many people generating renewable energy is an extremely important aspect of greener living. This could be for a number of reasons, namely an awareness of the environment and a want to save money in the long term. There is plenty of talk in the news regarding environmental issues and why it is down to us to help keep the planet in shape. Often individuals appose forking out lots of money for their electricity, hot water, and heat, when in fact they could get rid of the supplier and provide themselves.
So you like the idea of saving our planet, and saving some money, as well? And, How can you get involved?
Read on:
Here is an explanation of the three most popular ways to generate energy in your home. These are by no means quick and easy solutions, they require significant investment and plenty of love and care. But once in use, you will be able to sleep safely in the knowledge that you’re not damaging our planet or your bank balance.
Wind Turbines
Wind Turbines use the power of the wind to generate electricity. The United Kingdom is one of the windiest places in Europe and therefore a model place to generate electricity from this natural resource. As well as large-scale wind farms that generate much electricity, you can also install a smaller wind turbine on your property for personal use. Often referred to as micro-wind turbines, these can power your lighting and provide electricity for household appliances.
There are generally two different types of wind turbine. One that is in the garden or well-exposed position and one which is mounted on the roof of a house and it varies, from property to property, which is the most ideal. In some places, you can even make money from your turbines, by selling the electricity you have generated to the National Grid.
Biomass Heaters
This can be as simple as burning some wood logs or chips and heating a single room in your home or it can go further and heat up water or power the central heating. You can easily buy a biomass heater and they are relatively cheap compared with the cost of other energy generators. They would certainly be advised as a good thing to fit in your home for newcomers to green living.
What You’ll Need
You will need an area of your home, that is dry, to store your wood. Unless you have a vehicle that can collect large quantities of wood, then you will need to have your wood delivered. You must also have a chimney and flue in your home. A flue is to help air movement from the biomass heater to the outside of your house and they can be fitted to an existing chimney.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are used on the roof of your home and they capture the natural energy from the sun, using photovoltaic cells. The cells change the sunlight into electricity and this can, in turn, be used to heat water and as electricity to power household appliances as well as lighting. Free and environmentally friendly energy; what is not to like about this idea? The process of installing solar panels on your roof is, as you would expect, quite a difficult one. If you are somebody who doesn’t have much experience with DIY jobs, then you would be advised to call some professionals to do the work for you. Depending on the size of your house and roof, it is a job that can be completed in quite a short space of time. If you have extensive knowledge of DIY then you would be recommended to stock some top-of-the-range tools, such as a Makita LXT202 and a nail gun. You would, therefore, cut even more costs by not having to hire professionals.
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