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 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 to explore your Illinois renewable energy options, how much you can save and where to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Illinois
There is actually a wide range of renewable energy resources in IL. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on your geographical area in Illinois 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 Illinois. 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 Illinois Home
Interested trying renewable energy as opposed to 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'd like solar energy you can choose to invest in a solar water heater from any major home improvement store, have solar panels installed, or buy energy provided by Illinois solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been being built in Illinois 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 Illinois. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of using renewable energy sources in an effort to preserve and protect the IL environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Illinois?
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 Illinois that uses 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 simple search gives you a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to bear in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Illinois and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for people who decide 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's also possible to get low interest loans to cover the cost of retrofitting your home with the new equipment. In most instances the monthly loan payment will be less than you were paying for energy every month – instant energy savings!
