What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy, simply put, is energy that develops from a natural source that is naturally restored. Renewable energy alternatives are a rapidly expanding 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 thousands of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading to explore your New Mexico renewable energy options, how much you can save and how to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in New Mexico
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in NM. Which renewable energy options are accessible to you depend on your geographical area in New Mexico and how 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 New Mexico. 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 New Mexico Home
Interested in using 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 would 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 New Mexico solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been popping up in New Mexico 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 also need to look into co-ops in New Mexico. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of using renewable energy sources in order to preserve and protect the NM environment as well as providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in New Mexico?
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 New Mexico that utilizes renewable energy is to have an installer come to your home and give you an estimate. You can get a good idea of how much you will save by using an online calculator. A simple search provides you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to bear in mind is tax incentives. Federal, New Mexico and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for those who choose to use renewable energy sources. When considering 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 less than you were paying for energy each month – instant energy savings!
