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 thousands of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading to explore your New York renewable energy options, how much you can save and where to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in New York
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in NY. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on your geographical area in New York 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 New York. New renewable energy sources are being discovered daily, giving consumers everywhere more control over where their energy comes from and how much they must pay for it.
How to Get Renewable Energy in Your New York Home
Interested in using renewable energy instead of 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'd 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 York solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been popping up in New York 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 in place of a traditional HVAC system. Contact geothermal installers in your city to get specific information on pricing and equipment.
You should also look into co-ops in New York. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of utilizing renewable energy sources as a way to preserve and protect the NY environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in New York?
It’s obvious that switching to renewable energy sources will save you money in the long run. But just how much money, and how quickly will you start seeing the savings?
The best way to get an exact estimate (if you aren’t simply switching to an energy provider in New York that utilizes 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'll save by using an online calculator. A brief search provides you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to keep in mind is tax incentives. Federal, New York and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for individuals that 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 is 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 less than you were paying for energy every month – instant energy savings!
