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 huge numbers of people are making the switch to renewable energy services. Keep reading to explore your Washington renewable energy options, how much you can save and where to find providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Washington
There is actually a wide range of renewable energy resources in WA. Which renewable energy options are available to you depend on where you reside in Washington 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 Washington. 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 Washington Home
Interested in using 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 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 Washington solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been being built in Washington to provide communities with another electricity option. You can also contact a local provider to have a residential wind turbine installed at your house ..
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 also need to look into co-ops in Washington. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of utilizing renewable energy sources in an effort to preserve and protect the WA environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Washington?
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 Washington 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 remember is tax incentives. Federal, Washington and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for those who choose 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 the house with the new equipment. In many instances the monthly loan payment will be lower than what you were paying for energy every month – instant energy savings!
