Solar power installation has benefited homeowners by cutting their power bills and saving money. But do the savings that you get from using solar power outweigh the initial cost of installing a system?

Solar power installation fees also depend on whether you opt to use a ready-made solar panel or use a DIY one. Pre-made solar panels could cost you about $12 per watt which could add up up to $900 per panel. With this kind up front expense, the cost of powering a small or energy efficient home could reach to $25, 000 for a medium sized system. While large houses that uses solar power would require a budget of up to $50,000 for the installation of solar panels.  With government subsidies, however,  installation of small-scale sustainable electricity alternatives like the solar, hydro and wind electricity systems become much more affordable. A list of current schemes supporting the installation of solar power for homes and business is available from the website for The Office of Renewable Energy Regulator.

Alternatively you may consider making your very own solar panel! Many people think that a DIY solar panel is difficult to construct but actually it isn’t. Building one on your own would only need a few common tools and a bit of effort. Knowledge and step-by-step guides on how to build a solar panel can be found almost everywhere and there are a number of video tutorials available online as well as books and other resource materials s that will make your project easier.

Usually, people go for solar power thinking that it is more energy efficient than commercial electricity. While that may be correct, the reality is that moving to a renewable power source is only part of the solution: you still need to make your home as energy efficient as possible in order to reduce the amount of energy that you need. In this way not only is the initial cost of solar power installation reduced, but, if your home is energy efficient, it will require less electricity and therefore a smaller solar power system. Generally speaking, saving electricity is cheaper than generating it so invest in making your home energy efficient and install solar power system for you to maximise the benefits of saving energy.

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Man was made to rule over and take care of His creations. But religion is not the only aspect in our life that calls us to be concerned of the welfare of the environment. Our health, happiness and the future generations likewise depend on how we use and manage the Earth at present.

Caring for the environment begins from the basic unit of society, the family. It is through the awareness of the responsibility of each member of the household to protect and nurture the planet that you are able to globally participate towards the achievement of a better life. It doesn’t require much labor for you to be earth-friendly. There are so many simple ways that when done consistently the right way, can make a significant and huge difference. Here are some suggestions on easy ways to make a greener home and living:

1.       Replace appliances to energy-efficient models. Check for the “Energy Star” logo when you use or purchase appliances and gadgets because they consume up to 10%-50% lesser energy and water compared to typical ones. Use energy-efficient lights. Standard incandescent light bulbs consume more energy compare to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL). The latter can last 10x longer and consumes about 66% lesser than the former.

2.       Water conservation. It doesn’t require products for you to implement the wise use of water rather it only needs some behavioral change on your part. Simply turning off the faucet every time that it’s not used can make a great difference. Installing a low-flow toilet or adjusting its float bulb can greatly minimize 2 liters of water used to flush the toilet. Save up to 80 liters of water when you use the broom instead of using the garden hose every time you clean the driveway. .

3.       Use less paper. Paper comes from trees. Whenever we recycle or use a post-consumer paper, we save money, trees and the environment.

4.       Minimize plastic use. Polyethylene plastic is usually found in grocery, trash and sandwich bags. Throwing plastics away to the landfill increases greenhouse gasses which in turn contribute to the occurrence of global warning. Additionally, burning and processing plastics is a major contributor to global warming since they are made from petroleum.

5.       Organic gardening. Instead of using fertilizers and other chemicals to grow plants at home, use compost. Not only does it contain the right amount of nutrients, but also a good degree of soil organism is present to keep the soil fertile and healthy for plant growth.

It’s a cliché but as a matter of fact, recycling and cutting down on what you consume are the basic means for living a green and earth friendly life.

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One concern that we have to address when managing our homes is how we can save and use energy efficiently. As technology advances and the population continues to grow, total energy consumption will continue to increase.  Although there are many new cost-effective and energy-efficient appliances available our dependence on technology will continue to put pressure on our energy use, especially at home.

Aside from the fact that home electricity bills have risen dramatically over the last two years, there is the unavoidable impact of our rising energy consumption on climate change since carbon dioxide emitted by the process of energy production is the cause global warming.  While reducing energy consumption at home won’t reverse global warming we can employ some tips and techniques to reduce the impact on the environment and save some money at the same time.

1. Install energy saving improvements at home. Using your central heating controls wisely can get your bills down as well as reduce wasted energy. Install thermostats and timers to manage your heating energy use.
2. Use renewable energy sources where possible. Natural energy sources such as solar power produces environmental friendly and sustainable energy for your home through the process of microgeneration. With the use of solar panels or even wind turbines to create energy, heat or electricity, carbon dioxide emissions are  can be reduced dramatically.
3. Buy energy efficient appliances. These appliances require less energy and need not be any more expensive or offer less quality and functionality. Look for the energy saving labels to ensure that your appliance is one of the top 20 percent most energy efficient products in the market.

Although the above tips are applicable for today, the traditional energy saving techniques (such as turning off appliances when not in use, maintaining an accurate electric meter, covering pans and pots when cooking, drying clothes outdoors, replacing light bulbs at home with energy saving ones, etc.) remain  effective means of saving energy. Being conscious and mindful of your energy consumption will not only create a big impact on your budget and will benefit the environment as well.

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Wind is a renewable resource that can create electricity and this is why there have been many wind turbines installed throughout the country. These turbines use the winds forces to turn their aerodynamic blades, which then turn to a rotator to create power. The rotator is connected to the main shaft and spins a generator to create the electricity needed.

Cost-
Normal cost for the wind turbine system between buying and installing up to 1kW can be anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000. Larger systems can be up to 6kW and cost $20,000- 50,000.

Grants-
The grants for wind turbines aren’t like the current grants for solar power. There are Renewable Energy Certificates that can be obtained, (pending certain conditions) that can be traded in for money. Shop round for the best deal and take into account the total purchase including installation.

Savings-
Currently, there is not enough data from domestic wind turbine installations to provide a reliable energy and carbon saving figure.

Maintenance-
Although they have a working life of around 20 years, wind turbines still require regular checks every few years to ensure they are working to their full capacity.

Who is it suitable for?
Wind turbines work best when they are at a high level, so it is recommended that it be on a mast or tower. The ideal land for this resource is one with clear exposure, elevated land, free from excessive turbulence and land obstructions like buildings or trees.

You also need to consider visual issues, noise and conservation implications of the wind turbine on your property.

There are some small scale wind turbines designed for urban locations, however none have proven to be super energy efficient.

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You can get some financial support, but there are also other ways to improve the energy-efficiently in your home without waiting a long time.Once certain energy-saving elements are installed, it will cut your households carbon footprint but it will also save you money on fuel bills.

Internal wall insulation:
Annual saving- $750
Installed cost- it can be around $10,000 but the cost can be lowered if there is other work done simultaneously
Installed payback- this can be up to 12 years
Annual CO2 saving- wall insulation can save up to 2.4 tonnes

Hot water tank jacket:
Annual saving $60
DIY cost- this can be around $25 (if you know what you’re doing of course)
DIY payback- in less than six months you will get payback.
Annual CO2 saving- 195kg

Primary pip work installation:
Annual saving- $20
DIY cost- $20 (if you know what you’re doing of course)
DIY payback-around one year
Annual CO2 saving- 65kg

Floor insulation:
Annual saving- $100
Installed cost- $200
Installed payback- 2 years
Annual CO2 saving- 250kg

Filling skirting boards and floor boards gaps:
Annual saving $50
DIY cost- $50
DIY payback- around a year
Annual CO2 saving- 130kg

Double Glazing:
Annual saving- $200
Installed cost- varies from tradesmen and businesses.
Installed payback- this will vary from house to house.
Annual CO2 saving- 720kg

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The solar powered cells are one or two layers of semi-conducting material (in most cases it is silicon), which then uses the light to create an electric field across the layers, causing the electricity to flow. The PV cells do not need direct sunlight, but the greater light intensity the greater electricity flow.

Costs-
Prices of solar panels systems will vary considerably depending on the type and size of system you wish to have installed. The structure of your home will also have an impact on the price range.

As a rough guide, a typical PV system will cost somewhere between $5,000 to $20,000, most average systems being around 1.2 and 3kWp. Payback periods can be lengthy but the major benefit of having this system is that they don’t generate any greenhouse gas to create electricity and save about 455kg of carbon dioxide emissions per kWp per year.

Grants-
Currently you can get grants of up to $8,000 for 1kW or greater solar PV cells to be installed. Each grant will be subject to a household annual income of $100,000 and will differ from home to home.

Savings-
The savings will differ depending on the level of on site consumption and/or value of export tariff.

Maintenance-
Cells connected to the grid will require little maintenance but will still need regular checks by a qualified professional to ensure the wiring and components are working to their full potential. Stand-alone systems will need less maintenance on other components such as batteries.

Who is it for?
You can get a PV system generally if you have a sturdy north facing roof with no trees or building that would overshadow it or if the roof surface has shade for parts of the day. The roof must also be strong enough to hold the heavy PV systems.

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To save our energy and our environment, environmental activists and scientists have come up with a form of renewable energy that allows us to re-use the resources we already have and hopefully, will never run out of.

Fossil fuels were first used mainly because they are convenient, take less space and are affordable. But the more we use them, the more they burn a hole in the ozone layer and the less energy fuel we have.

But renewable energy attempts to get us to use the natural resources we have to continue to have a clean and healthy environment. The renewable energy process involves taking natural resources and making them into a product we can use for power.

There are many methods and ways to do this, each evaluated to see which is the best result and which will be best for the future.

Renewable energy sources are better for the environment and is a more practical way of saving the world we live in. Renewable energy can be created from the sun and water, but the only thing is, is that this can be unpredictable for the changes in the seasons.

But this energy would be a good idea to have as a first priority and have the fossil fuels as a back up.

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Indoor solar lighting-
Solar lighting can be used inside your home, shed or even gazebos and is easy to install. The best thing about solar lighting is that you don’t need to change light bulbs all the time, saving time, money and the environment.

A solar panel will be installed in the area that will attract the most sunlight. Once the sunlight hits the panel, light will be reflected and will give light to the house. After the sun sets, you will still have enough energy in the panel to power the lighting.

Outdoor solar Lighting-
Outdoor solar lighting is different, as you will need more energy and light in the darker areas. There are many different types of outdoor lighting that need high energy lighting to run. These include flood lights, pond or pool lights, security lights, spot lights. Most of these can be solar powered and will still run effectively.

Solar powered path lights are a popular form of outdoor lighting and allow people to be guided through the dark. Lighting that is sensor activated will also reduce power and save energy. These lights can work even when the power is out.

Although this lighting may not be as bright high energy lighting, it is an economical and practical choice for yourself and the environment.

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One of the ways that you can help fight this problem is by sourcing your household energy from environmentally friendly, renewable production methods.

This is colloquially referred to as ‘green power’ and it is one of the most important steps in tackling climate change.

Almost all of the major electricity providers in Australia have a green power option, and if you are happy with your current energy provider then you should speak to them about the green options they may have available.

The Australian government has an accreditation scheme setup, which is designed to let consumers know which companies are up to scratch when it comes to providing renewable and environmentally friendly energy.

Some companies will claim that they have a green option, or multiple green options, when this may not actually be the case. For this reason it is always worth checking if the company is fully accredited.

If you are interested in taking your commitment to renewable energy one step further, you could consider decking out your home with solar panels, and make it energy independent.

In fact, if you install solar panels on the roof of your house and they generate more power than you consume, you can contribute to the greater problem by feeding energy into the power grid!

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