What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy, simply put, is energy that comes from a natural source that is naturally restored. Renewable energy alternatives are a rapidly growing segment of the energy sector. So much so that today nearly a fifth of electricity generation comes from renewable energy sources. Over 44 million homes use biogas for cooking and lighting.
With climate change worsening and oil prices inflating, it’s no wonder huge numbers of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading to explore your Connecticut renewable energy options, what you can save and how to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Connecticut
There is actually a wide array of renewable energy resources in CT. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on where you reside in Connecticut and the way your home is built or retrofitted.
- Wind
- Solar
- Tides
- Rain
- Geothermal heat
- Biofuels
- Hydropower
These are just a portion of the renewable energy sources that are currently being used in Connecticut. New renewable energy sources are being discovered every single day, giving consumers everywhere more control over where their energy comes from and how much they must pay for it.
How to Get Renewable Energy in Your Connecticut Home
Interested in using renewable energy as opposed to traditional energy sources? Fortunately, consumers have more renewable energy options than any other time and are available in urban and rural areas alike.
Solar energy – If you'd like solar energy you can choose to purchase a solar water heater from any major home improvement center, have solar panels installed, or buy energy provided by Connecticut solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been popping up in Connecticut to provide communities with another electricity option. Additionally you can contact a local provider to have a residential wind turbine installed at your home.
Geothermal energy – You can purchase a geothermal heat pump system to received hot water or use a geothermal energy system instead of a traditional HVAC system. Contact geothermal installers in your city to get specific information on pricing and equipment.
You also need to look into co-ops in Connecticut. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of utilizing renewable energy sources as a way to preserve and protect the CT environment as well as providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Connecticut?
It’s obvious that switching to renewable energy sources can save you money in the long term. But just how much cash, and how quickly will you start seeing the savings?
The only way to get an exact estimate (if you aren’t simply switching to an energy provider in Connecticut that uses renewable energy is to have an installer come to your home and give you a quote. You can get a good idea of how much you will save by using an online calculator. A brief search provides you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to remember is tax incentives. Federal, Connecticut and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for people who choose to use renewable energy sources. When it comes to the cost and savings of making the switch to renewable energy factor in tax incentives as well as the improved efficiency over the old systems. It is also possible to get low interest loans to cover the cost of retrofitting the house with the new equipment. In many cases the monthly loan payment will be lower than what you were paying for energy every month – instant energy savings!
