One of the largest areas to consider if you’re looking at ways to be greener and to reduce your carbon footprint is by looking at the resources that you and your family consume. This can encompass many different areas, such as food, clothing and transportation, but as the weather gets colder, one thing we all begin to use more of is fuel, both for heating and electricity.
Energy is something we all rely on, and in winter months, we tend to retreat indoors, spending more time curled up in front of the fire with the TV on or using computers, and kids playing on games consoles. All this extra usage of energy can begin to add up, so if you want to reduce your environmental impact but struggle to cut the usage of energy within your home, renewable energy could be an ideal option for you.
There are a number of options when considering installing renewable energy systems for your home, from wind turbines to solar panels. Some properties with streams or access to water nearby could also consider mini water turbines to generate hydroelectricity. Solar panels tend to be most practical for many homes however, especially those with south facing roofs, as even in winter, efficient panels can still generate electricity from the sun and contribute to reductions in electricity bills.
Intelligent energy solutions like arrays of solar panels can be installed by professional renewable energy generation specialists and can not only cut your energy bill, but you can take advantage of Feed-in Tariffs too. Feed-in Tariff schemes enable homeowners to benefit from selling additional units of electricity back to the National Grid, meaning your electricity company has to pay you for the generated electricity. If you get your electricity from one of the big 6 energy companies, the law stipulates they must offer Feed-in Tariff payment schemes, although some smaller companies do also offer FIT payments.
To qualify for payments via the government FIT scheme, your microgeneration system does need to meet certain guidelines. These include being installed by a professional who has been certified under the Microgeneration Certification scheme.
Due to reductions in the availability of conventionally used fuels such as coal, oil and gas, otherwise known as fossil fuels, there will increasingly be concerns about black outs and shortages of energy. This winter, many people, it is being predicted, are likely to experience black outs or power shortages. Therefore installation of technology such as solar panels can also be used to provide reassurance and independence from the National Grid, as solar energy is stored in batteries and inverter systems within your property until it is needed. Renewable energy will likely, therefore, become even more popular in the next few months as people decide to generate their own energy to keep the light bulbs burning and reduce their reliance on fossil fuel generated electricity.
Whatever your reason for switching to green energy, including considering microgeneration for your property, speaking to a qualified and experienced energy consultant from a renewable energy installation firm is the best step to begin with so you can work out what energy systems are best suited to your property, and how beneficial each type of system will be for you and your home.