The monthly utility bills for electricity can give anyone in Australia a headache. With the subtropical climate and scorching heat necessitating air conditioners and cooling systems, homes in the country are trying to keep their bills from shooting up. For those looking for an alternative option, getting independent house energy by installing solar panels can be a good start. Homeowners can compare solar plans and get the right solar PVs fitted for their property or opt for another type of green energy system to power their homes.
One in three Australian homes are already powered by the sun, indicating a shift toward a cleaner energy source instead of the central energy grid. But are there other ways residents can make use of to generate electricity and reduce their dependence on the central grid?
Clean Energy For The Home:
Solar might be the most popular option available, and most residents won’t even bother reading about the myriad of other ways they could use to bring their electricity bills down. Moreover, the Australian government offers many tax breaks and other incentives that homeowners can take advantage of if they’re trying to build a green energy system. As for the different clean energy alternatives for the homes, take a look at the list below:
- Installing Wind Turbines: The first thing that comes into most people’s minds when they hear this is probably the big and tall ones installed in wind farms like Cooper’s Gap in Queensland. Contrary to popular belief, residents don’t need to install such a tall one to generate power for their homes. A small one, the size of a trash can, can help reduce those bills drastically, as long as the turbine is set in an area having constant winds. Professionals can help install these turbines in a safe location and connect them to the house or a battery source.
- Solar Panels: Solar panels are the most popular type of green energy system that homeowners install. Australians can compare solar plans and find the best one according to the cost and area. Residents can either install a battery or use the extra energy gained from solar panels to offset the bills to a great extent.
- A Hybrid System: A hybrid system consists of both solar panels and wind turbines, generating electricity around the clock and making the house completely energy-independent. It is best suited for areas that have windy nights and all-day sunlight. However, they are bound to cost more owing to the higher installation costs and maintenance.
- Hydropower: Although not the most practical out of all the options, owing to the requirement of a flowing water source, hydropower can still get the job done if the water flow is strong enough. One of the biggest advantages of hydropower is that, unlike wind and solar, it is always constant.
Other ways to cut down electricity costs around the home:
- Solar water heaters can help. The reserved hot water in the tank can then be used to pump through the radiators or as hot water in the showers. Not only are solar water heaters easier to install compared to solar panels, but water can also be heated for free using the sun instead of electricity or coal.
- A biomass system is also a good heating system; it burns organic matter to provide heat. The only downside is that they don’t generate as much power as solar heaters or other green energy systems.