By Jane Marsh | Contributing Writer
While your home and the way you use energy within it isn’t the only way to be sustainable and responsible, it certainly is a big part of the picture, and if you’re interested in doing your part, it’s worth looking into.
While renewable energy may seem like a lot to learn about, there are so many intriguing solutions, as well as simple ones worth looking into. If you love the earth or even simply want to look into alternative solutions for your home, you may be wondering if it happens to be the best path for you specifically. Here is a bit more if you’re considering installing renewable energy solutions in your home.
Why Renewable Energy?
Before thinking too much about anything else, it’s important to define exactly what renewable energy is. Renewable energy — often referred to as clean energy — is energy made up of natural resources that are constantly and unconditionally replenished. Water, wind, solar and other similar forms of energy are all considered renewable, unlike things like coal or gasses, which are finite resources.
The Benefits
It’s no secret that investing in renewable energy solutions has the power to lower your carbon footprint. Regardless of whether you’re going net zero or you simply want to add a bit of boost to the energy you already use in your home, any addition you can make to your positive contribution is a step in the right direction. In addition to the environmental benefit of keeping your energy renewable, sustainability is also great for keeping your budget under control. Even though sustainable energy is an initial investment, that investment usually pays for itself eventually. There are even some programs available for lower income families to find solutions for solar energy without the same level of investment, which can save them money and help save the planet.
The Investment
One of the big components of the question as to whether you should have renewable energy installed in your home is the investment involved. While it’s true that sustainable energy doesn’t come for free, the investment usually pays for itself even within just a few years. While the cost itself and the timeline will depend on the type of energy you go for and where you live, there’s plenty of potential for return on investment, as long as you can fit the money in up front.
Renewable Energy Options
Another question you might be considering is what kind of renewable energy solutions would work for your home specifically. While the most popular option by far is solar, especially for residential properties, there are actually a few different options out there. However, being resourceful is one of the best assets you can have — especially if your property has other sources of potential energy nearby. For example, micro-hydropower is great for those with water sources near their homes. If that isn’t an option, residential wind power and even hybrid systems are all on the table, depending on your priorities. Really, it’s all about looking around and figuring out what works the best.
Is It Worth It?
At the end of the day, though, the big question isn’t about the abstract — it’s about whether renewable energy is worth it for you and your home. While there are plenty of benefits to explore around sustainable energy, there are also plenty of life circumstances that you should consider for your own journey. For example, if you’re moving somewhere soon — or even considering it — investing into sustainable energy for your home might not be your top priority for your current house. However, if you plan on staying where you are for the foreseeable future, it might be a worthwhile investment.
At the end of the day, it simply comes down to where you are in life, whether you can afford the switch and how far you want to go. Between the carbon footprint and the savings, it’s at least worth it to look into your options.
Should You Go Renewable in Your Home?
Whether you go renewable in your home or stay with your current energy sources, paying attention to how you treat the planet is highly important. If you’re interested in sustainability and want to make a difference while saving money over time, renewable energy could be for you. No matter what you choose, educating yourself is a worthwhile investment of time, even if all you need is knowledge for the future. Do you think going sustainable is right for your home?
About the Author
Jane is the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she shares practical tips on how to live a greener life.