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 expanding segment of the energy sector. So much in fact that today nearly a fifth of electricity generation originates 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 to explore your Hawaii renewable energy options, how much you can save and where to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Hawaii
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in HI. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on where you reside in Hawaii and the way your home is built or retrofitted.
- Wind
- Solar
- Tides
- Rain
- Geothermal heat
- Biofuels
- Hydropower
These are just some of the renewable energy sources that are currently being used in Hawaii. New renewable energy sources are being discovered every day, 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 Hawaii 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 want 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 Hawaii solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been being built in Hawaii to provide communities with another electricity option. It's also possible to contact a local provider to have a residential wind turbine installed at your house ..
Geothermal energy – You can buy a geothermal heat pump system to received hot water or use a geothermal energy system rather than 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 Hawaii. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of employing renewable energy sources in an effort to preserve and protect the HI environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Hawaii?
It’s obvious that switching to renewable energy sources can save you money in the long run. But just how much money, 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 Hawaii that utilizes renewable energy is to have an installer come to your home and give you a quote. You will get a good idea of how much you'll save by using an online calculator. A brief search gives you a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to keep in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Hawaii and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for people who choose to use renewable energy sources. When contemplating 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 most instances the monthly loan payment will be less than you were paying for energy each month – instant energy savings!
