Whether you’re building a new home or looking to bring your older property into the modern day, sustainability is high on the agenda for many of us. Yet, what type of renewable energy sources are available, and what system is best for you, your family and your home?
Choosing renewable energy is an excellent way to do your bit for the planet, reduce your carbon
Footprint and also even potentially lower your energy costs.
Make sure to read on below, for more information on some of the different renewable energy sources available to you, and their suitability. After all, you want to make sure that you’re making the right investment!
Table of contents
First things first, What Exactly is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is the name used to describe power that is generated from natural sources, such as the sun, wind, biomass and water. These renewable energy sources are all naturally replenished.
Sometimes, you may hear renewable energy being referred to as ‘green energy’ and ‘clean energy’. This is because the process involved in generating energy from renewable sources emits little to no greenhouse gases, unlike fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
Choosing to move away from fossil fuels is a huge step toward combating climate change and making the air that our families breathe cleaner.
Types of Renewable Energy
Solar Photovoltaic
A solar photovoltaic system will convert sunlight into energy. This is one of the most common types of renewable energy systems available, identifiable by the rows of solar panels installed on roofs.
These solar panels can generate power all day, even when it isn’t sunny; however they will produce more power on sunny days. The power that you generate will then be stored in batteries, to allow you to use the energy after the sun goes down.
What’s more, any excess power that you don’t use can be sold back into the national electricity grid.
One of the main advantages of investing in a residential solar panels in Bradenton is that it will reduce your reliance on the grid and even cut the amount you pay on your electricity bills.
Air Source Heat Pumps
An air source heat pump is a renewable energy system that uses the heat from the air outside to provide you with heating and hot water. In fact, the system works like a refrigerator, yet in reverse.
This system is very clean and environmentally friendly, virtually silent when in operation and can potentially save you up to £360 a year on your heating bills when replacing an oil system.
Solar Water Heating
Solar panels aren’t the only way that you can harness the power of the sun. In fact, solar water heating uses the sun to heat your water, which then passes through your radiators and is used for your everyday hot water needs.
Water can be expensive to heat, yet you could significantly reduce your costs by using a solar water heating system.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
A ground source heat pump system will use pipes, buried underground to transfer heat from the ground into your central heating and domestic hot water.
This is a highly sustainable and cost-effective system, which could potentially even consume 20-50% less energy than a conventional heating and cooling system. It won’t be dependent on the outside weather conditions, either as typically, the ground temperature sits at a constant temperature all year-round.
Take Your First Step Towards Renewable Energy
Going green has never been easier than today, thanks to a range of new technology and green energy alternatives available. We highly suggest that you take a closer look at these options and choose one which would address your needs and requirements best. You’ll be surprised how many options there are available, in fact it can seem overwhelming. So, if you’re in need of more advice and information on the renewable energy available to you, make sure to get in touch with an expert such as Summit Energies, leading provider of Air Source Heat Pumps in Gloucestershire.