What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy, to put it simply, is energy that comes from a natural source that is naturally restored. Renewable energy alternatives are a rapidly expanding segment of the energy sector. So much in fact 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 millions of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading for more information on your Georgia renewable energy options, what you can save and how to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Georgia
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in GA. Which renewable energy options are accessible to you depend on where you live in Georgia 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 Georgia. New renewable energy sources are being discovered daily, giving consumers everywhere more control over where their energy comes from and how much they have to pay for it.
How to Get Renewable Energy in Your Georgia Home
Interested trying renewable energy instead of traditional energy sources? Fortunately, consumers have more renewable energy options than in the past and are available in urban and rural areas alike.
Solar energy – If you would like solar energy you can choose to buy a solar water heater from any major home improvement center, have solar panels installed, or buy energy provided by Georgia solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been going up in Georgia to provide communities with another electricity option. You can also 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 in place of a traditional HVAC system. Contact geothermal installers in your area to get specific information on pricing and equipment.
You should also look into co-ops in Georgia. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of utilizing renewable energy sources as a way to preserve and protect the GA environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Georgia?
It’s obvious that switching to renewable energy sources will save you money in the future. 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 Georgia that uses renewable energy is to have an installer come to your house and give you a quote. You can get a good idea of how much you will save by using an online calculator. A quick search provides you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to keep in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Georgia and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for those 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's also possible to get low interest loans to cover the cost of retrofitting the home with the new equipment. In many instances the monthly loan payment will be lower than what you were paying for energy each month – instant energy savings!
