What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy, to put it simply, is energy that develops from a natural source that is naturally restored. Renewable energy alternatives are a rapidly growing 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 thousands of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading for more information on your Michigan renewable energy options, what you can save and where to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Michigan
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in MI. Which renewable energy options are accessible to you depend on where you live in Michigan and how 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 Michigan. 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 Michigan Home
Interested in using renewable energy rather than 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 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 Michigan solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been being built in Michigan to provide communities with another electricity option. Additionally you can contact a local provider to have a residential wind turbine installed at your house ..
Geothermal energy – You can get a geothermal heat pump system to received hot water or use a geothermal energy system rather than a traditional HVAC system. Contact geothermal installers near you to get specific information on pricing and equipment.
You should also look into co-ops in Michigan. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of using renewable energy sources in order to preserve and protect the MI environment as well as providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Michigan?
It’s obvious that switching to renewable energy sources can save you money in the long run. 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 Michigan that uses renewable energy is to have an installer come to your house and give you an estimate. You can get a good idea of how much you can save by using an online calculator. A brief search gives you a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to bear in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Michigan and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for those who decide 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 most instances the monthly loan payment will be lower than what you were paying for energy monthly – instant energy savings!
