Renewable energy for the home is an environmentally friendly resource that draws power from inexhaustible sources. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, and water. Power generation from fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal, which are all limited resources and emit pollutants into the air, is an alternative to renewable energy. Home renewable energy can provide enough energy to light an entire home or produce small amounts of electricity to power appliances such as a refrigerator or toaster.
The availability of renewable energy will differ depending on the region. Wind power generation is king in Europe, but other countries lag behind due to political constraints. The proliferation of wind power as a home renewable energy source is often stifled without the support of local communities. Wind farms must first be adopted by entire cities or communities to create a cost-effective proposition before they can generate power for individual homes.
Solar energy is one of the most common types of renewable energy. The photovoltaic effect converts sunlight into electricity, which is how solar power is generated. It’s a clean energy method that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels. Most home appliances, including refrigerators and lights, can be powered by solar panels installed on a home’s roof.
Unlike solar electricity, which converts sunlight directly to electricity, the solar thermal process converts heat from the sun into energy. This method can be used to heat water in a residential setting. Installing a solar hot water system in a home requires an initial investment, but it usually results in significant cost savings on home heating costs in the long run.
Geothermal heating has become one of the most popular home renewable energy sources. Instead of generating new heat, these systems take heat from the earth and efficiently distribute it throughout a home. Because it uses energy from the ground that has been warmed by the sun, such a system could be considered solar energy.
Sustainable practices can be used in any room of the house, including the bathroom. For example, replacing bathroom appliances with energy efficient products can reduce a family’s energy consumption. Changes like installing a low-flow shower head and a water-efficient toilet aren’t prohibitively expensive and can help save water. When wooden floors are replaced with bamboo grass materials or carpeting, even the floors become more environmentally friendly.