Over the years, the world has witnessed increasing pollution levels and dwindling natural resources.
While COVID-19 has made wearing masks in public space the new norm, it is something that people living in a large number of developing countries have been used to for quite some time.
We have all read about global warming, but it is only now that we have begun to experience its effects as well.
From fires in Australia and the Amazon Forest, to record high temperatures during the summers, 2020 has been a wake-up call for many of us.
As the awareness regarding the environmental impact of conventional energy sources is spreading, more and more people are making the switch to renewable energy.
There are numerous compelling reasons for one to do so, apart from the obvious one being to protect and conserve the environment.
With the dawn of 2021, why not make a major and impactful lifestyle change and switch to renewable energy?
Here are some reasons why, as a homeowner, you might want to make the switch.
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Going Green
Conventional sources of energy, also known as fossil fuels, damage the environment in more ways than one.
Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, diesel, natural gas, and so on.
They are mined from land and ocean beds, a process which in itself causes significant damage to the local flora and fauna and not to mention, the damage to the landscape.
Subsequently converting them to energy, further results in the release of harmful greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
According to Neeeco's Mass Save Home Energy Audit, Renewable energy sources on the other hand have a negligible impact on the environment. These sources include solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, and geothermal energy.
While tapping geothermal energy, tidal energy and wind energy generally require large scale infrastructure, tapping solar energy for meeting your electricity requirement is as simple as installing solar panels on your roof. Switching to renewable energy can help reduce your carbon footprint and make your contribution towards saving the planet.
Economical and Reliable
Renewable energy requires a significant amount of initial investment, however, in the long run, it turns out to be considerably cheaper.
If you plan to power your home using solar energy, you will have to install solar panels. These may require an upfront payment. But if you live in a region that receives sufficient sunlight, the energy savings over time would more than make up for the additional initial expense.
Furthermore, the prices of solar panels have been on the decline. In fact, you can even sell the additional energy that you generate to the grid, albeit subject to the local laws.
You could also power your electric car for free. If you are unable to mount the rooftop solar system, you can also invest in a community or a shared solar program.
The efficiency of solar panels decreases over time. Fortunately, technological advancements have made possible the development of solar panels that can significantly reduce your energy bills for as long as 25 years. Fortunately, solar panel experts in California offer warranties for up to 25 years. This shows their confidence in the technology. If maintained properly, solar panels can even last as long as 40 years before a significant drop in their efficiency takes place.
Benefiting from Government Subsidies
To promote the use of renewable energy sources, governments across the world offer significant subsidies to people in different forms.
In the United States of America, for the year 2021, homeowners will be offered a 26% discount on the prices of solar power systems in the form of a federal tax credit.
However, given the increase in the acceptance of renewable energy, 2021 is set to be the last year in which the subsidy will be offered.
2022 onwards, the subsidy will be removed unless extended by congress. That said, 2021 could be the last year to avail of this tax benefit, which makes it the perfect year to make the transition.
Inexhaustible
Fossil fuels take millions of years to form. As such, the amount of resources available to us is limited.
In just the last 200 years, we have managed to consume a significant portion of the fossil fuels reserve available to us.
While our energy requirements continue to increase exponentially, our conventional energy sources remain limited.
It is estimated that if the current trend of consumption continues, we are likely to run out of fossil fuels by 2060.
Renewable energy on the other hand, as the name suggests, is practically unlimited. The amount of energy available is significantly higher than what we require or are capable of extracting.
Boosting your Property Value
While evaluating the value of a property, the addition of solar panels is taken into consideration.
That said, installing renewable energy systems can help boost the value of your property.
Given the increased awareness regarding the benefits of renewable energy, houses with solar panels are also easier to sell.
Independence from the Electricity Grid
Having your own source of renewable energy can provide you independence from the electricity grid.
While the renewable energy system that you install may not be able to cater to all your energy requirements, it should easily be able to meet all your basic demands.
This independence would help protect you against fluctuating energy prices and help you plan your future expenses better.
This would also mean no more blackouts. However, installing a renewable energy system to provide independence from the grid would require you to put in place multiple systems including batteries, solar panels, solar water heaters, water harvesting, and possibly a wind energy harvesting system as well.
By switching to renewable energy, you can do your bit in saving our planet and making it a little healthier to live in.
Not only will switching to renewable energy help reduce your carbon footprint, it will also help create more jobs, help you save up on taxes, reduce your dependence on the electricity grid and help reduce your electricity bills. A little effort goes a long way.
The technology is easily available, accessible, reliable, and the benefits easily make up for the relatively high installation and investment costs.
Renewable energy is the way forward. In fact, it is said that soon it would be mandatory to meet a portion of your energy requirements through renewable sources.
So why not take the leap and invest in renewable energy this year.