You have probably heard a lot about green energies, but do you know enough to make an informed decision and perhaps invest in your own green energy system? This article is filled with useful tips that will help you make a decision.
There are four main types of green energy: solar, wind, hydraulic and geothermal. If you are interested in a green energy system, your first step is to determine which resource you should use. Solar energy is a good option in the southwestern United States, but solar panels will not function as well in areas where the sky is more overcast. Wind turbines function as long as there is a constant wind of at least 10 mph and hydraulic systems are an option only if you have running water on your property. Geothermal energy is your best solution if your property is located above an underground source of geothermal energy.
Assess how much energy you are using. Perhaps you could get an energy monitor so that you can get a better idea of how much power you are using in any room at any given time or invest in newer energy-efficient appliances and light-bulbs to reduce your energy consumption. Once you know how much energy you need, you can start comparing different green energy systems and look for one that will produce enough energy for your home. Do not hesitate to get a system that can produce more energy than you need so you can sell this energy to the main power grid.
Find a way to finance your green energy system. Most systems represent an important initial investment, and you should not expect to really start saving money until your system is paid off. The best way to cover your payments is to sell power to the main grid: contact your energy provider to find out about the different programs available. Most energy providers will offer a competitive rate for your energy and will help you pay your green energy system within the next ten to fifteen years. You should consider taking a loan or saving money to cover the installation of your system, your first payments and perhaps some repairs too.
If you cannot afford to invest in a green energy system right now, you should consider getting a smaller system to produce only a part of the energy you need or sell some power to the main grid and reduce your monthly bills. You could for instance get a small wind turbine or a few solar panels to produce enough energy to keep your water heater running or to power your outside lights. Explore different options and make sure the system you choose will produce enough energy for the appliances you want to run independently.
You should now have a better idea of how you can get your own green energy system. You need to start by contacting different vendors to learn more about the products available on the market and start comparing prices and efficiency.
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