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 growing 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 learn more about your Rhode Island renewable energy options, what you can save and how to locate providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Rhode Island
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in RI. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on where you reside in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island Home
Interested trying renewable energy as opposed to traditional energy sources? Fortunately, consumers have more renewable energy options than ever before 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 Rhode Island solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been being built in Rhode Island to provide communities with another electricity option. Additionally you can 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 city to get specific information on pricing and equipment.
You should also look into co-ops in Rhode Island. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of employing renewable energy sources in order to preserve and protect the RI environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island that uses renewable energy is to have an installer come to your property and give you a quote. You can get a good idea of how much you can save by using an online calculator. A quick search will provide you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to keep in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Rhode Island and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for those who opt for 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. Additionally it is possible to get low interest loans to cover the cost of retrofitting the house with the new equipment. In many cases the monthly loan payment will be lower than what you were paying for energy each month – instant energy savings!
