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 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 explore your Wisconsin renewable energy options, what you can save and where to find providers.
Renewable Energy Resources in Wisconsin
There is actually a wide variety of renewable energy resources in WI. Which renewable energy options are accessible to you depend on where you live in Wisconsin and the way 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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin 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 would like solar energy you can choose to purchase a solar water heater from any major home improvement store, have solar panels installed, or buy energy provided by Wisconsin solar photovoltaic power plant.
Wind energy – Wind farms have been going up in Wisconsin 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 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 also need to look into co-ops in Wisconsin. Energy co-ops are some of the biggest supporters of using renewable energy sources in an effort to preserve and protect the WI environment in addition to providing members with more affordable energy services.
How Much Can You Save Using Renewable Energy Alternatives in Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin 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 will save by using an online calculator. A quick search provides you with a selection of renewable energy calculators.
One thing to keep in mind is tax incentives. Federal, Wisconsin and local governments all offer tax credits and rebates for people who choose 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. Additionally it is 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 monthly – instant energy savings!
