| As a homeowner, you may be using renewable | | | | renewable source of heat through the use of |
| energy sources. Let's look at a few of these | | | | space heating. Modern wood burning stoves are |
| important, powerful sources. | | | | highly efficient, making it a more practical |
| | | | option. |
| If you use solar powered lights to brighten | | | | |
| your walkway, a solar cover on your swimming | | | | A homeowner can also utilize active solar |
| pool or hang your clothes out to dry, you are | | | | heating. A solar water heater can use |
| already making use of the sun's renewable | | | | renewable solar energy to heat water for a |
| energy. There are many other renewable energy | | | | house. This would use solar collector panels |
| home options you can take advantage of, and | | | | placed on a roof. Water runs through pipes |
| by doing so, help preserve our environment. | | | | under these panels and is heated by the sun. |
| | | | The water travels to a water tank in your |
| The most practical of renewable energy | | | | home for your use. Electricity can also be |
| options for the home consist of space heating | | | | produced for a home using the photovoltaic |
| and domestic hot water. This is over 50% of a | | | | technology. This runs on the same idea as a |
| household's energy usage. In using renewable | | | | solar calculator. Solar electricity is ideal |
| energy we can experience cost saving | | | | for rural homes where it would be difficult |
| benefits. | | | | to run an electric line to. |
| | | | |
| Perhaps the best way to take advantage of | | | | Geothermal heat pumps use the heat from the |
| renewable energy home options is when | | | | Earth to move heat from one area to another. |
| designing a new house. A southern wall taking | | | | This system uses a series of underground |
| advantage of an appropriate amount of windows | | | | pipes to move a heat exchange fluid. The heat |
| can take full use of the low sun in the | | | | pump moves this fluid, heated from the earth |
| winter. Adding a roof overhang over these | | | | and transfers it to buildings for use. |
| windows allow the higher summer sun to be | | | | Initial installation costs are much the same |
| blocked. Also, on a cool day you can open | | | | as traditional heating systems, but |
| your windows to let a breeze cool off the | | | | operational costs are lower. |
| house and make use of wind energy. You have | | | | |
| achieved adding heat in the winter and | | | | If you live in a windy part of the country |
| coolness in the summer, thereby lowering your | | | | and have quite a bit of land, wind can power |
| heating and cooling costs naturally. This is | | | | a wind turbine to produce electricity for |
| called passive solar heating since it is | | | | your household. But your location must be |
| integrated with no extra costs. You can also | | | | ideal to catch wind and you must be able to |
| do day lighting by taking full advantage of | | | | capture a certain amount for this to work. |
| the sunlight during the day to take care of | | | | |
| your daytime lighting needs. | | | | These are some home options for renewable |
| | | | energy sources. By trying to utilize some of |
| Wood stoves can also be advantageous, if | | | | them we are preparing for our future by using |
| using only dead wood, diseased wood or small | | | | clean energy that does not affect air quality |
| pellets made from wood chips, crop waste and | | | | or harm the environment. |
| other organic material for burning. This is a | | | | |