Saving Money With Alternative Energy Sources Like Wind Energy and Solar Energy

Wind Turbines and Renewable Energy Systems for Homeowners

The first thing every homeower should know when trying to save money and reduce energy use is how much energy they are using. The average home is estimated to use about 4,700 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year. If you are using wind turbines rated at 1.5W, you can generate an average of 4,000 kWh of renwable energy per year. This can almost completely eliminate the need for your local electric utility. By using more efficient products such as energy star appliances and CFL bulbs in place of traditional lights you may be able to reduce your consumption to below the 4,000 kWh your wind turbine system generates. Visit my hub about energy saving tips at http://hubpages.com/hub/Effective-Energy-Saving-Tips.

Homeowners who want to take advantage of residential wind energy systems should be aware that there are small scale renewable energy systems available currently that can cut electric bills by as much as 100%. These can be a large investment but, think of the money savings from no longer having an electric bill. These renewable energy systems can be grid connected or stand alone. Using a renewable energy system that is grid connected allows the excess energy produced to go back to your utility provider. Some providers will even purchase this excess power from you. Stand alone systems use battery banks with deep cycle batteries to store the power until there is a demand for it..

Using your own wind energy system to save money with renewable energy may seem a bit overwhelming but the right products and the right research can have you producing your own electricity in no time. GE and Siemens are a couple of the manufacturers leading the way in renewable energy products. The Items you will need and should research are in the list at the end of this article. Compare products, prices, and power output to determine the appropriate product for your renewable energy installation.

Using solar power to generate electricity for your home is a bit more complex than wind energy. Renewable energy from solar power technology requires collecting energy from the sun with solar panels or photovoltaic cells. Much like a wind system a solar power system will also require other components in addition to the solar panels. Homeowners should review the list of components needed fr a renewable energy system at the end of this article to determine the items needed. When using a solar power system to provide your home with electricity the system should be sized properly. The average home uses 4,700 kWh per year so you will need to calculate your usage and size the system accordingly. Solar panel systems are generally a bit more expensive and require more work to produce sufficient amounts of energy to power a home. This can be achieved however with the right equipment and solar panels may be your preference since they tend to blend in better than a wind turbine system. Solar energy is a bit more diverse than other renewable energy sources like wind energy because it is able to not only produce electricity but heat as well. Using solar collectors to produce electricity as well as preheating water, or heating the space in your home is a greatway to use renewable energy to dramatically cut your energy bills.

Solar panels and solar energy systems for homeowners are currently available in a variety of options. From supplemental systems to a system that can completely take you off grid you will find many renewable energy products to choose from. Just like any other system research, price, and demand will dictate what products are best suited for you.

1: Wind Turbines (harnesses the wind power to rotate blades and charge an alternator)

2: Solar Panels (used to harness the power from the sun)

3: Charge Controller (controls the amount of power stored in the battery bank)

4: Battery bank with deep cycle batteries (stores the excess electricity until it is needed)

5: Power inverter (converts energy to standard home electricity)

6: System meter (monitors system performance and usage)

7: Dump load (once the system is fully charged this dumps the excess electricity)

8: Main disconnect (allows service and maintenance on equipment by cutting the power)

As you can see there are several items required for a good renewable energy system for your home. While planning your system be sure to look at all of your options and find one that will not only produce your required electricity but also be able to last through many years of use. This guide can help you completely break free from utility companies and utility bills while providing huge money savings over the years. Chec out my other pags or the links below for additional information on solar panels, wind turbines, and renewable energy for homeowners.