According to studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 70 million tons of pollutants made their way into the atmosphere in 2019. Pollution has continued to increase in the last few decades leading to devastating environmental damage.
The EPA also concluded that between 1980 and 2019 the consumption of energy increased by 28%. The population in the U.S. grew by 44%. CO2 emissions have also increased by 15%.
If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint and do more to reverse environmental damage, you can find the best renewable energy source to help power your home without creating pollution. Keep reading to check out our list.
1. Defining Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is the best way to provide power to your home. When you switch to renewable energy your home won’t need to use fossil fuels for energy production any longer. Fossil fuels like oil and coal add many pollutants to the atmosphere.
Renewable energy uses natural elements from the earth to provide power. Since these are natural elements, they continue to renew themselves and never run out.
While not all sources of renewable energy work everywhere in the world, many of these sources can be harnessed to provide power to your home in a less environmentally damaging way.
2. You Can Harness the Power of the Wind
What many would consider the best renewable energy source for homes is using wind to power your home. The giant wind turbines you’ve seen in images out in big fields can provide power to entire neighborhoods.
Smaller wind turbines can also be installed to power an individual home. While making the switch might seem costly, installation can cost anything from $4000 to $30,000 depending on the size of the turbine needed, the investment will pay off long term.
Tax credits are available to help offset costs. Installing a wind system to power your home can also increase the value of your house.
3. Solar Energy Is a Great Option
This is probably the most popular and well-known form of renewable energy for homes. CGS Solar Panels Newcastle explains that solar energy uses panels installed on your roof to turn sunlight into electricity and heat for your home.
Sunlight is present in most places around the world and it can even be stored and used for those cloudy days. Solar energy isn’t just great for the environment but it can also help to decrease your electricity bill. Many electricity companies offer renewable energy plans to help you cut CO2 emissions from your energy plan and safeguard the planet from climate change.
There are also federal and state solar tax credits available for installing solar panels. Go ahead and search for solar installation near me, you won’t regret making the switch.
4. Geothermal Energy
The best renewable energy will use the resources provided by the planet without causing environmental pollution. This is exactly what you’ll get with geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth to create power for your home. Installing a small geothermal system can harness heat from 10 feet below the surface of the earth to produce energy.
This energy can provide electricity as well as heat for the winter. It can also help keep your home cool during the hotter summer months.
5. Harness the Power of Two With a Hybrid System
To live a more sustainable and healthy life, many people decide to live further away from the big city. Living removed civilization in the country can be a great change of pace. Using a hybrid renewable energy system can also help you live greener.
If you decide to live up in the mountains then using both wind and solar energy sources can provide extra sources of power to keep the light on when you need it. Solar energy can be harnessed during the sunny summer days and wind turbines can work best during windy cold evenings.
6. Hydroelectric Energy Uses Dams
The next candidate for the best renewable source of energy would have to be hydroelectric power. Large dams can be used to harness the power of water to provide electricity to large buildings.
Small dams or turbines in smaller rivers can work to provide power to individual homes. While hydroelectric energy won’t create air pollution it can impact the flow of the water and disrupt the ecosystems and fish living in those bodies of water.
7. The Ocean Produces Energy Too
The movement of waves can actually produce energy. This renewable source of energy can help lower the cost of electricity and provide additional power when traditional methods aren’t enough.
This alternative source of energy isn’t as common as others because of the need to be close in proximity to an ocean to be able to use it.
8. Biomass Comes From Plants
Biomass can also be classified as the best type of renewable energy source. This incredible source of energy comes from plants and other organisms that are beginning to decompose.
Burning biomass from the organic matter found in landfills is a great way to create energy while reducing waste at the same time. Biomass can also come from burning wood or ethanol.
9. You Can Produce Energy From Hydrogen
Hydrogen which can be derived from water or natural gas can be used to create energy without producing any pollution. Hydrogen fuel cells can be used to create electricity.
Although, costs continue to limit the use of hydrogen as an energy source for homes. Most hydrogen is used in other industries but moving into using it to provide electricity will continue to bring costs down until it becomes readily available for use in the home.
Power Your Home With the Best Renewable Energy Source
There are many alternative forms of energy if you’re looking to be more green. The best renewable energy source for your home depends on where you live but you’re sure to find it on this list.
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