Welcome to Green Home Energy Today

 Types of green home energy  No Responses »
Dec 282011
 
Solar Roofing and other Alternative Home Energy

Solar Roofing is Just One Possible Green Home Energy Available Right Now!

We look forward to sharing information and advice about renewable and alternative energy possibilities you can install in your home.  Our focus is on those green energy systems available right now to heat or power your house, everything from condensing boilers that provide ultra high efficiency heating, to solar roofing that can generate electricity, to geothermal heat pumps that can both heat and cool your home.

Many people assume that alternative and renewable home energy has not progressed enough technologically to be effective and worthwhile.  Others who actually looked into green home energy a few years back are still under the assumption that the possibilities will not be efficient or durable, or will be eye-sores.  Most people don’t realize the incredible acceleration in the types of renewable technology available now to heat, cool, or power the home.  For example, geothermal home heating and cooling systems can now be installed for single homes and without too much excavation.  Also, with the advent of thin film solar roofing, a roof made of solar cells can look great and be highly efficient.  And how many people know about the new generation of very elegant wind turbines which look great, are not that large, and can lower electric bills.

If you have been holding out and hoping that renewable energy technologies became more efficient, cheaper to install, or more widely available, you might be surprised to find out how many of these alternative green choices are available to you right now!

This site is arranged as follows:

- Up-to-date information and advice about renewable and alternative energy possibilities will be posted on this page

- Information about the costs of green home energy is provided here

- A comprehensive listing of the types of renewable energy technologies available now is here

- Future possibilities in the green home energy market are covered here

- We also have a section about green cars here

Thank you for visiting, and please feel free to ask questions or share your own experience with any renewable or alternative energy technology for your own home!

 

Purchase Green Home Energy

 Types of green home energy  No Responses »
Nov 282012
 

You may not have the money to invest in a renewable or alternative energy system for your home right now, or you may have a perfectly functioning traditional energy system and feel it is not worth replacing it yet.  In these cases you still have very viable options to bring green home energy to where you live, and that involves purchasing that energy that is generated elsewhere.  For example, if you live in an area where you can choose your electric company, you can usually compare your options with regard to how much they generate from renewable sources.  In fact, in many states utilities have to disclose quite clearly how much their power is being generated from green sources like wind, biomass, and solar.  As long as the prices are not very different – and they are usually not – you can give your business to those providers that are making the effort to go green.

If you don’t have a choice of your electricity utility in your region, which can happen in many rural areas that do not have enough customers to invite competition, or city areas where one municipal utility serves everyone, you should still call that provider and see if they have an option to purchase energy that has been generated in a renewable or alternative manner.  Many utilities offer more than one choice, and many are not very good at publicizing this fact. Your call not only can help you find out if the utility has a green option, it can also help show the electric company that their customers generally have an interest in a green power option.

You may not be ready to invest in a renewable energy system for your home, but wide scale production of green energy is happening and is something you may be able to tap into through your utility.

 Posted by at 12:28 pm

Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources: Common Misconceptions Part 2

 Types of green home energy  No Responses »
Aug 142012
 

There are so many misconceptions about green home energy that we could not cover them all in one post.  The following are some misconceptions about alternative energy sources or renewable energy systems that may not be obvious to the prospective consumer.  Our hope is that these issues would not hold you back from installing a green system in your home:

- Condensing Boilers and Micro CHP do run on conventional fossil fuel, so many people do not consider them home alternative energy systems.  However, these systems are alternatives in that they are much more efficient than conventional systems and therefore use less oil or gas.  To us, that is certainly a step in the right direction and an alternative choice.

- People often shy away from ground source heat pumps thinking that if anything ever goes wrong it will be extremely difficult to fix the system, especially if the ground is frozen.  In part this is true, but these geothermal systems, and especially the parts buries deep underground, are often warrantied for 30 or 40 or even 50 years.  They are durable and installers are willing to stake a long warranty on this fact.

- People sometimes do not choose some renewable energy systems for their home because of the misconception that there will be no back up – i.e. they don;t choose solar for fear of what will happen if it is cloudy for several days in a row.  What they do not realize is that many home alternative energy systems do not replace but merely augment your conventional system.  In other words, your conventional system will go on as needed, but when it is not needed the renewable or alternative fuel will be saving them money.

- People resist electric cars because they feel that electricity is not produced from alternative fuels.  They see the possibility of an electric car as merely another means of keeping their country dependent on coal.  What they don’t realize is that the overall pollutant effects of driving an electric car are much less than driving a gasoline fueled car.  It may not be perfect nor a truly renewable energy means of transportation, but it is an improvement.

Between this post and the one below have we covered all of the misconceptions about green home energy?  Probably not, but at least this is a start!

Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources: Common Misconceptions

 Types of green home energy  No Responses »
Aug 012012
 

As with any newer technology, there are many misconceptions about home renewable energy systems.  This is because advances in renewable energy technology may outpace information, leading to people hearing rumors about how things used to be done before improvements were made.  For example:

- Many people believe that ground source heat pumps must be buried deep in the earth to provide geothermal heating and cooling.  This is not the case.  In fact, geothermal as a renewable energy source  can come from only a few meters under the ground and is therefore not a difficult green home energy to install.

- Solar energy, such as solar roofing, is often still known as an alternative energy source that is ineffective and difficult to maintain.  This was certainly true when solar roofs were first rolled out as a renewable energy source, but advances in thin film technology have helped solve many of the efficiency and durability questions.

- Often it is assumed that a fast running or wide brook or stream is necessary for micro hydro to be an effective green home energy.  In fact, micro hydro can be a great alternative energy resource even if a brook or stream is only running slowly.

- Many people turned away from wind power, feeling that the size of wind turbines made this form of alternative energy technology prohibitive – the rooftop turbines provided too little power and backyard turbines took up too much room.  This may still be the case with this alternative energy source, but now wind power co-ops have become more popular, allowing a whole neighborhood to find an open area where large wind turbines can be located and the green power produced shared.

As you can see, there are many misconceptions about Green Home Energy, but a little research goes a long way into proving them wrong.

The Difference Between Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems

 Types of green home energy  1 Response »
Jul 172012
 

Many people use the terms “Alternative Energy” and Renewable Energy” interchangeably, however, they actually mean two distinct things.  Renewable energy systems run on fuels that can be naturally renewed – they are not burned off.  Alternative energy systems provide fuel efficiency through an alternative means of using fuel.  Put differently, the word “renewable” refers to the fuel itself, while the word “alternative” refers to the equipment being used.  Of course a system cannot technically be an alternative energy system if it is not saving energy.  Some home energy systems are one or the other, while others are both, as follows:

Geothermal Heat Pumps: These systems are both alternative and renewable, running on the natural heat of the earth and also built entirely differently than conventional systems.

Solar Roofing: These system are often renewable and alternative as well, though some might say they are renewable but not alternative because the internal mechanisms often look very similar to conventional systems.

Condensing Boilers: A good example of an alternative but not renewable energy system.  Condensing Boilers save energy and reduce your carbon footprint but do not run on renewable fuels.

Micro CHP: Another example of an alternative but not renewable system

Micro Hydro: Renewable and Alternative energy systems

These are just some examples, and you should note that some would disagree with our definitions.  In addition, keep in mind that some alternative energy home systems such as micro chp and condensing boilers can be made to run on renewable fuels, which would be the ideal situation for these types of system.

Demonstration Projects Lower the Cost of Alternative Home Energy

 Types of green home energy  No Responses »
Jun 062012
 

Right now companies are competing for a foothold in what promises to be a competitive marketplace of home renewable and alternative energy systems.  Many new renewable energy technologies are beginning to take off, from condensing boilers to micro chp.  Like with any other product roll out, companies often need consumers in different geographies to be incentivized to try these systems out and begin the powerful word-of-mouth that will help the popularity of the product.  How can you benefit from this?  Become a home renewable or alternative energy demonstration project.

Some companies will be willing to grant significant discounts to those who install a renewable energy system in their home, provided that the company is able to tout the positive effects of the system.  The consumer is also encouraged to tell as many people as possible how well the system is working – how much money it saves or how effective it is.  Sometimes the company also installs equipment to measure the effectiveness of the system in using alternative sources to conserve energy or eliminate the need for expensive oil or gas.

So what kinds of renewable and alternative home energy technologies might be ripe for demonstration projects?  Any technology that is new, at least to your region.  Depending on the level of the company’s motivation, you might get a large discount on the system, or even get installation or the whole system free.   You might get your home alternative energy system on a lease where the company will pay for a significant number of the first months and then you can either keep it or have them take it away before you’ve paid a dime.  One way or another, becoming a home demonstration project for renewable and alternative energy can be a very positive thing.

Market Trends: Micro CHP

 Renewable Energy Market Trends  No Responses »
May 272012
 

This post begins our series about market trends in the home renewable and alternative energy market.  What we mean by “Market trends” is how many people current use the renewable energy system in question, and what the expected growth rate is in the US, Europe, and globally.  For Micro CHP, the following is known about market trends:

Most popular place for Micro CHP: Japan, where there are over 50,000 Micro CHP alternative energy systems being used right now.  They are extremely popular and have high customer satisfaction rates.

Biggest potential growth for Micro CHP: The United Kingdom, given that the government is substantially subsidizing this form of home alternative energy system and that a large number of homes could easily transition to micro-CHP.

Market trend in the US for Micro CHP: Micro chp has the potential to be in approximately 50 million homes in the United States. There are government tax breaks that can help reduce the costs, and alos some major gas distribution companies are also providing discounts.

Waves as a renewable energy source

 Wave Power  No Responses »
May 122012
 

There is one alternative source of energy that never stops, is incredibly powerful, and covers 2/3 of our planet. This renewable source of energy exists near millions of people worldwide, and yet we have not been very effective at tapping into it. The alternative energy source in question: Waves. Of all the types of home renewable energy we cover, waves seem to have the most power and yet this power is incredibly elusive. Why?

Prior attempts to generate wave power have failed because of several problems:

1. Using waves as an alternative “fuel” is tricky because of transmission problems – how to get the alternative power generated to the homes in need.
2. Using Waves to produce energy is hard because of frequent storms and the general unpredictability of the ocean
3. The actual technology involved in capturing wave power as a green energy has not been perfected

None of these difficulties is insurmountable, and it is possible that waves will become a renewable energy source at some point. The regular ocean currents under the water as well as the waves on top are naturally powerful and always moving. Even more regular than the wind and the sun, waves could provide a green home energy that sustains large swaths of home near the ocean!

Costs of Micro-Hydro Elecric – an Example

 MIcro Hydro  No Responses »
Apr 302012
 

The following is an example of how you can examine the costs of almost any alternative and renewable energy source for your home.  We use micro hydro because it is a green home energy source where many numbers are “known”, but there are also the usual challenges when figuring out cost.

Calculating the costs of micro hydro power, and whether this renewable home energy will benefit you and your family is actually quite easy. The current cost involved in installing a micro hydro alternative energy system range from 1,200 to $1,600 for each kilowatt you need to pull out of the system. In other words, if you need an average of 10 kilowatts of power for your home, your system will cost between $12-16,000.

This initial investment may sound high, but don’t forget that after installation the flowing water that powers the system is free. Assuming the system will last for 25 years and provide all your electric needs, you can figure out when the green home energy system will pay for itself and generate a “profit” for you and your family.

So, here’s the math:

- If your electric bill is usually $300 per month and you install micro hydro at your home:

- You save $300 per month using the renewable home energy source instead of conventional electric

- You spent $14,000 on the green system

- It will take approximately 47 months for the micro hydro system to pay for itself.

- So, after just under 4 years, your renewable home energy investment is paying off by saving you about $3600 per year.

Micro hydro is a worthwhile investment in alternative home energy for the money you can save, and saving electricity is also good for our environment and reduces your carbon footprint.

Wind Power co-ops growing in popularity

 Wind Power  No Responses »
Apr 252012
 

In many parts of the globe a new way of tapping into alternative energy that saves money and reduces energy usage has sprouted.  The renewable source for this new method is nothing new: Wind Power.  Yet the way it is sold and distributed is innovative – and also so simple and attractive that it is suddenly growing in popularity.

The combination of more consumers realizing the incredible effectiveness and potential of wind energy, along with a rise in fuel prices, has created more interest in wind power in general.  But as a renewable home energy source, this type of energy has always had a huge disadvantage since wind turbines take up a lot of space and can be unsightly.  More consumers would not want to put a wind turbine in their own back yard, and rooftop wind turbines have never generated enough energy to be a complete solution.

But what about a wind turbine or several wind turbines in a nearby field or clearing in the woods that no one uses?  Cooperative business models, where neighbors pay for the installation and then get the benefits of a wind turbine that everyone shares, have become a solution.  The turbine can be placed out of the way, not near any popular sight lines, and still provide alternative energy to each home that is part of the wind co-op.

Wind co-ops break down the main barriers to this incredibly promising and effective means of producing green energy for the home.

Condensing Boilers 101

 Condensing Boilers  No Responses »
Apr 192012
 

A condensing boiler is an innovative furnace or boiler that is able to recoup energy that conventional furnaces and boilers lose.  Most boilers allow the heat that it produced in the process of burning gas or oil to escape, treating it like a byproduct.  Condensing boilers, on the other hand, capture this excess heat energy that is in the form of water vapor.

Condensing Boilers have taken many parts of Europe by storm, replacing “conventional” boilers and furnaces. In the US people are now beginning to realize the potential of condensing boilers as a home alternative energy source – nor a renewable energy source because they do burn oil or gas, but an alternative that saves money and reduces the home’s carbon footprint.

Condensing Boilers are costly and may require and initial investment of 40-50% more than a conventional boiler when installation costs are factored in.  With the typical savings you will gain from a Condening Boiler you will start to recover that cost – and begin truly a lot of saving money – in about 2-4 years.

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