Alternative Energy HQ solar power for homes, wind energy, and bio fuel issues
According to what the best historians tell us, since 1750 our reliance on fossil fuels has risen unabated as we turn to coal and oil for everything. As the years have gone by and as we have become smarter, we have invented new ways to use energy to make our lives easier. This has been going on in the background, just as we have ignored scientists and environmentalists who have warned us about greenhouse gas emissions and the damage that is being caused to the world all around this.
It has only been fairly recently that we have actually woken up to understand what is going on. A lot of damage has been caused so far and if we don’t do something about it soon, our reliance on fossil fuels will stop us from repairing and reversing this damage. The benefits of renewable energy represent a clear advantage to us now and we realise that we should be helping the environment by making tangible changes.
Unfortunately, only about 5% of our energy needs are satisfied by renewable energy forms such as solar, wind, water and geothermal. While it is definitely possible for us to make enough electricity from these sources for our own use, unfortunately it is very expensive and prohibitively so, for us to invest in home-based systems alone. If we look at solar energy as an option, probably the most well-known of solutions, as used by home owners in sunny climes, are energy panels that can be mounted to the roof to run certain appliances and heat water.
Some appliance manufacturers are working on the development of “smart” products that can be run individually from external, renewable energy sources. By doing so, we might be able to run a refrigerator using a solar panel, for example.
Governments around the world are finally taking notice of what’s happening and are making available funds for incentives and grants. Home owners who are more willing to invest in taking steps to retrofit existing systems to replace energy hog appliances will likely get grants from the taxpayer. This is a good investment, as in the long run, a lower reliance on raw energy needs can only be viewed as a security enhancement from a wider point of view.
When it comes to ways to save electricity around the home, we can do this by using a type of renewable energy in its most basic form. If the climate that you live in allows this, why not consider using solar energy to dry your clothes? A typical clothes washer and dryer cycle can add to your energy bill considerably. Remember that it is a question of taking baby steps to make a difference and we can all get there if we apply ourselves in this way.
If you cannot directly introduce the concept of renewable energy into your home, the next best thing is to insist that the companies you patronise become more sustainable. Look for information on companies that favour renewable energy sources. These days, it is good public relations to be doing so and companies that are making a difference are only too keen to tell us all how good a corporate citizen they are! Hold them all to account!
