According to the experts over at Commonwealth, for the better part of a century our homes have overwhelmingly relied on electricity generated from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas at power plants. But those dirty, finite energy sources pumped harmful greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change, environmental degradation, and air pollution. Recently, however, a monumental revolution in clean, renewable energy sources has been transforming how homes can power themselves sustainably.
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy refers to sources of power that are naturally replenished in an endless cycle by the Earth itself and are much cleaner and environmentally friendly than emissions-producing fossil fuels. Some of the major examples of renewable energies include solar power harnessed from the sun’s rays, wind power captured by turbines, hydroelectric power from flowing water in dams or rivers, and geothermal energy from heat inside the Earth. These renewable energy sources don’t burn fuels and produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions or pollution.
Booming Rooftop Solar Panels
One of the biggest game-changing developments transforming homes in recent years has been the rapid rise and adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. These sleek grids of solar cells seamlessly installed on home rooftops work by absorbing energy from sunlight and converting it directly into electricity that can fully power the residence. Any excess solar electricity gets automatically fed back into the utility’s electrical grid for credits.Â
Compact Home Wind Turbines
In some areas with steady winds and breezes, small home wind turbines have provided another avenue for renewable power. These compact turbines are essentially miniature versions of the massive wind turbines found in sprawling wind farms, capturing the kinetic energy of wind through rotating blades to generate emissions-free, renewable electricity right on a homeowner’s property.
Residential Solar Battery Storage
A complementary technology that has been a game-changer alongside rooftop solar has been residential solar battery backup and storage systems. These rechargeable battery banks store up excess electricity generated from the solar panels during the day, allowing homeowners to draw from that banked power at night or during grid outages for energy self-sufficiency.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Another renewable energy source that has been transforming heating and cooling needs for homes is geothermal heat pump systems. This innovative technology ingeniously harnesses the constant, stable temperature just a few feet underground by circulating liquid through pipes buried in the earth. During winter, this thermal heat is drawn into the home to provide highly efficient heating. In summer, the process is reversed to tap the Earth’s cooler temperatures for low-cost air conditioning.
Smart Home Energy Efficiency
Beyond sustainable power production and heating/cooling, smart home technologies and energy monitoring systems are also allowing residences to vastly improve their overall energy efficiency like never before. Smart thermostats automatically optimize heating and cooling for maximum efficiency by learning household habits. Connected LED light bulbs and outlets can be controlled remotely and turned off when not needed. And home energy monitoring systems pinpoint appliances and areas wasting electricity.
Empowering Benefits for Homeowners
The renewable energy revolution is empowering homeowners with energy independence and savings in many ways:
- Substantially reducing or eliminating monthly utility bills.
- Increasing home property values and equity.
- Reducing carbon footprints and negative environmental impact.
- Providing energy security and backup power during outages.
- Helping drive the crucial transition to a clean, sustainable energy future.
Conclusion
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal and groundbreaking technologies are rapidly transforming how homes generate and consume power in an environmentally sustainable way. As these green technologies continue advancing and dropping in costs, residential renewable living will inevitably become the norm across the nation in the decades ahead.Â
