Renewable Energy - Advantages For the Home Owner and Our Environment
We all know that supplies of fossil fuels are dwindling all over the world.
We are reminded almost daily by our news media.
Because of this, governments and environmentalists are warning people that we need to do something else to keep up with the increasing demand for energy.
People everywhere are looking at the advantages of renewable energy and whether there is a source of power that they can utilize.
Beyond dwindling supplies, another major problem with fossil fuels is that they have a terrible impact on the environment.
A disaster like the recent BP well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico shouldn't be necessary to demonstrate this to us.
Some scientists state there is a direct correlation between the use of fossil fuels and global warming.
Global warming changes weather patterns which includes heat waves, hurricanes and droughts.
This severely impacts the way of life for both human and animal species.
If you are looking for a little education on the damage that global warming plays, you may wish to rent the documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' from your local video store.
You will be surprised and will want to incorporate green energy into the design of your home whether you are building new, or wish to make slight changes to your existing home to make it energy efficient.
One of the greatest advantages of renewable energy is that it is a clean green form of energy and produces a minimal carbon footprint.
Many people are getting on the renewable energy bandwagon and choosing to use renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power and geothermal energy.
You will find that there are more jobs created with the use of green energy, and these are more likely to stay in the United States as well.
Many of these positions offer good pay and benefits.
These new jobs will far outweigh the few lost in the fossil fuel industries.
Another of the advantages of renewable energy is that the government is providing tax credits and incentive programs for people who choose to install renewable energy technology.
There are currently federal tax credits available for people who choose to install solar power.
These federal tax credits make up 30 per cent of the value of solar systems and can be used for both commercial and residential properties.
Check with your local officials, as many states have tax credits and many local utilities also have rebate programs, depending on the type of renewable energy or appliances installed.
With renewable energy becoming more affordable through cost reductions, tax credits or rebates, people are much more willing to install renewable energy technology and protect the environment from further global warming if it is within their reach.
The people choosing to install renewable energy are often the same people that promote green communities.
Many of these green communities work very hard at being environmentally conscious citizens, and do what they can to improve the environment and the world that we live in.
Green cities promote certain environmental policies for people to become more energy efficient and cut down on pollution and potential damage to the environment.
Every year, National Geographic produces the Green Guide, providing great information about a number of green issues and also lists the top 10 green cities.
Do you think your city is going to be featured in this year's guide? This article has only touched the very surface, as the advantages of renewable energy could easily fill a book.
So far, we've looked at the advantages of green energy, but It is also important that we look at the disadvantages as well.
The main disadvantage is the fact that it is often too cost prohibitive to install renewable energy technology, particular in retrofit situations.
Technology is improving daily but until it improves dramatically, only those that have disposable cash will be able to afford the $20,000 it costs to install a PV solar system, unless they are building a new home.
Fortunately, incorporating green energy in a new home isn't quite as expensive, and it is a relatively small percentage of total building costs, particularly if you consider the cost savings over the life of the installed products.
We are reminded almost daily by our news media.
Because of this, governments and environmentalists are warning people that we need to do something else to keep up with the increasing demand for energy.
People everywhere are looking at the advantages of renewable energy and whether there is a source of power that they can utilize.
Beyond dwindling supplies, another major problem with fossil fuels is that they have a terrible impact on the environment.
A disaster like the recent BP well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico shouldn't be necessary to demonstrate this to us.
Some scientists state there is a direct correlation between the use of fossil fuels and global warming.
Global warming changes weather patterns which includes heat waves, hurricanes and droughts.
This severely impacts the way of life for both human and animal species.
If you are looking for a little education on the damage that global warming plays, you may wish to rent the documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' from your local video store.
You will be surprised and will want to incorporate green energy into the design of your home whether you are building new, or wish to make slight changes to your existing home to make it energy efficient.
One of the greatest advantages of renewable energy is that it is a clean green form of energy and produces a minimal carbon footprint.
Many people are getting on the renewable energy bandwagon and choosing to use renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power and geothermal energy.
You will find that there are more jobs created with the use of green energy, and these are more likely to stay in the United States as well.
Many of these positions offer good pay and benefits.
These new jobs will far outweigh the few lost in the fossil fuel industries.
Another of the advantages of renewable energy is that the government is providing tax credits and incentive programs for people who choose to install renewable energy technology.
There are currently federal tax credits available for people who choose to install solar power.
These federal tax credits make up 30 per cent of the value of solar systems and can be used for both commercial and residential properties.
Check with your local officials, as many states have tax credits and many local utilities also have rebate programs, depending on the type of renewable energy or appliances installed.
With renewable energy becoming more affordable through cost reductions, tax credits or rebates, people are much more willing to install renewable energy technology and protect the environment from further global warming if it is within their reach.
The people choosing to install renewable energy are often the same people that promote green communities.
Many of these green communities work very hard at being environmentally conscious citizens, and do what they can to improve the environment and the world that we live in.
Green cities promote certain environmental policies for people to become more energy efficient and cut down on pollution and potential damage to the environment.
Every year, National Geographic produces the Green Guide, providing great information about a number of green issues and also lists the top 10 green cities.
Do you think your city is going to be featured in this year's guide? This article has only touched the very surface, as the advantages of renewable energy could easily fill a book.
So far, we've looked at the advantages of green energy, but It is also important that we look at the disadvantages as well.
The main disadvantage is the fact that it is often too cost prohibitive to install renewable energy technology, particular in retrofit situations.
Technology is improving daily but until it improves dramatically, only those that have disposable cash will be able to afford the $20,000 it costs to install a PV solar system, unless they are building a new home.
Fortunately, incorporating green energy in a new home isn't quite as expensive, and it is a relatively small percentage of total building costs, particularly if you consider the cost savings over the life of the installed products.