How can I install renewable energy in my house?

Question

How can I install renewable energy in my house?

Answer 1

There are a few good sites out there look up the government web site on energy, and go to solar, wind and other power sources and you will find many helpful sites, some offer free advice, some offer plans, and how tos. I found one that offers a manual on how to build solar panels, and one that installs everything, installation, upkeep, service, etc.  with a contract for 5, 10 or 25 years you choose the time, and specifics, there is not a large up front cost to convert a house to solar. Greats sites out there, just look up alternate energy and how to install solar energy unit or whatever you want,

  Good luck, I'm working on mine now so I can get free of the grid, and the house will be totally self contained, never need power companies again.

Answer 2

Hello SKYCAT hope today finds you very well? :-)

Try contacting the Centre for Alternative Technology for a copy of 'Off the Grid: Managing Independent Renewable Energy Systems' by P Allen and R Todd. This gives information on how to design, install and look after small-scale renewable energy systems and live unplugged from the grid.

The Energy Savings Trust has more info on grants for solar photovoltaic panels.

The Clear Skies Grants Initiative has information on other types of small scale renewable energy.

Consider a whole-house fan. Because some nights are cool, but have no breeze, you may benefit from using a whole-house fan to force cool air through your home. A whole-house fan is permanently installed in your attic and draws cooler air into your home and forces warmed air out through the attic vents.

Renewable energy comes from sources with no climate change effect like wind, water and sun.

Some renewable energy technologies are suitable for home use, and grants are often avaliable.

What types of renewable energy could I install at home?

Solar hot water

Solar Panels, also known as collectors, can be fitted to a buildings roof.

They use the sun's energy to heat water. The water is then fed to a heat store like a hot water tank.

The panels work throughout daylight hours, even if the sky is overcast and there is no direct sunshine. Active solar panels can also be used to heat swimming pools.

Photovoltaic cells utilise sunlight to provide electricity. The cells are contained within a rectangular panel about a meter long. The panels are fitted to a buildings roof.

An average south-facing house in the UK has sufficient roof area for modules to provide most of your electricity. If excess energy is produced it can be fed back to the national grid

A wind turbine converts wind to electricity. The electricity can either link to the grid or charge batteries. Modern designs tend to be very near silent in operation such that the wind in the leaves on trees can be louder.

The amount of electricity produced is dependent on the speed and direction of the wind. Ideally, you should get a professional assessment of the local windspeed for a full year at the exact location where you plan to install the turbine before getting one.

Hydro turbines generate electricity from water flowing through them. Most hydro power is produced in hilly or mountainous areas, or in river valleys. The amount of electricity that can be produced is determined by how much water is available and how fast it flows.

To use this energy effectively at home you need to be close to the water source.

Any power generated cannot be sold back to the national grid

Ground source heat pumps can be used efficiently to heat a house by drawing heat from the ground, concentrating it and delivering it to the building.

Wood burning systems, unlike other renewables, do emit carbon dioxide. However, as the wood fuel is cultivated, it absorbs the exact same amount of carbon dioxide as is released when burnt. So it does not add to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

An eligible system can be used for heating a single room, hot water or a whole house. This excludes the AGA type stove as these are not automated.

*♥Midnight~Angel♥*

Answer 3

Get hold of a renewable energy specialist, I work for a renewable energy company, we install Solar Hot Water, Wind Turbines and Photovoltaic panels.

Search on the REA website (type REA into google)

I would help you but we only deal with commercial work :)

Answer 4

The first and easiest option is to switch to a green energy provider that sells you electricity from renewable sources.  I use Solar from my provider since I think that's the way forward.

Then save as much energy as you can and keep your bills in clear view as you receive them to see the effects of your frugality.  If you've got the funds and / or live in a state that has a good rebate scheme, you may want to look into solar installations that can apply to your home.

Immediate action is the best; keep the car tunes properly, swap the incandescent bulbs for fluoros, turn off devices rather than leave them on standby, and so on.

Sadly the cost of home solar installations is still out of the reach of most home owners, a situation that really needs to be addressed.

I've got quite a bit of this info on my site.

Roger.

Answer 5

I have no idea, but I would start contacting contractors and finding out if they or someone they know does it.

Answer 6

Hi. I think it starts at home. Start with conserving energy like using methods like carpool, saving water, etc. Later, you can employ sources. You can start with using solar energy to cook. You can switch your home heater for fewer hours and insted use solar energy.

Using full fledged non conventional sources of energy will require professional assistance and guidance. You can contact an agency near you to get those installed.

Answer 7

You would need to install solar panels on the roof of your house and a wind turbine in your garden or again roof of the house.  Any eletricity which you don't use you then sell back to the elctricity company.  BUT you need planning permission. I think that you should only need building regs seeing how you'e trying to help the enviroment an be given grants toward it from the government.

Hope this helps and have a nice day.

Answer 8

The best first step is to reduce your consumption. Exactly how best to do this depends on your house and your location, so consult a specialist.

When considering energy generating technologies, research carefully the total energy budget of the device. Look at the expected energy produced over the lifetime of the device. Small wind turbines and photovoltaic cells do not always come out well under this analysis. Many photovoltaic cells have an output that reduces with time as cosmic rays do their damage. they also take a lot of energy to make! Simple long lasting technologies such as solar water panels do better.

Also look at whether the energy will be produced at the time it is needed. You can use the grid as a battery, but expect that electricity prices are going to vary with time of day and year as more renewables are used.

Answer 9

I would just like to add to the suggestions above, that you may have to check with local zoning authorities.  Around here, they are a pain in the a$$ when you want to install such things as water cisterns, solar water heater, and especially wind turbines.