Renewable energy – Can it save you money?
It’s been a dramatic week in environmental politics. The Environmental Trading Scheme has already claimed one leader, and may be the cause of a double dissolution and a brand new election for the Australian people. The environment might just be the scandalous topic of this year.
It’s easy, amidst the fuss, to forget about what the whole uproar is about, namely saving the environment and our dollars. It’s also pretty easy, while watching the Parliament have a schoolyard scrap over the issue, to forget what the options are for each individual and how you can save money and save the planet all at the same time.
The Original Renewable
Before we even get onto the new fandangle technologies, design is one of the most important aspects of energy and money saving. A house that takes advantage of the sun in winter and manages to avoid it in summer will save you a lot of money on heating and air-conditioning. Passive solar energy (the new term for sunshine apparently) is the best thing around, and it’s totally free.
Learn how to store it
Making your home energy efficient is the first step to saving a significant amount of money. Insulation and double glazing are the be all and all when it comes to saving money on heating costs. It’s an initial outlay to buy the insulation and employ someone to install it, but the savings will become apparent over time. There are lots of home sustainability assessors floating around the place, happy to tell you the best to make your home efficient.
Green Loans can even show you what the savings are http://www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/ . High energy rated appliances help as well, despite the higher cost initially.
Think about the source
Lots of people are starting to buy energy produced from a renewable source. It doesn’t actually cost much more, and will relieve your guilty conscience (which saves money on retail therapy and psychologists).
The more people that use renewable energy electricity companies, the cheaper it will eventually get. With electricity prices only heading in one direction- up- it’s a long-term saving measure to think about.
Forget getting PC, get PV
Photovoltaic cells (solar cells) are trendy. With Green Loans, they’re also affordable. It is a large initial outlay of capital. You may not earn back the initial outlay for decades. However, consider this. In the current climate, electricity prices are going to go up. If you buy solar cells, the price of electricity will stay static forever. While everyone else is at the mercy of electricity companies, environment and potential privatisation, you’re sitting on a deck, enjoying the sunshine and thinking about installing a spa.
DIY
All hail the age of the Internet, where it really can solve all your problems. This nifty little website http://www.earth4energy.com/ has videos and instructions, as well as kits, on how to build your own solar panels and wind turbines. It all went over my head a little, but if you’re handy or are at least willing to give it a go, then I suggest you head here. After all, DIY solar panels would be the best cost-saver in town. These guys claim you can get 50- 80% off your electricity bills with their products. I haven’t tested it myself, but I’m trying to find somewhere I can sign on a dotted line.
Would you invest in renewable energy to save yourself money?
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