We love talking about a better, more sustainable future and appreciate our dedicated clients who are working hard to advance this future alongside us. While solar energy has taken the largest portion of attention in terms of renewable energy options, there are many more!
We have worked with companies that specialize in sustainable energy, including solar, and wanted to talk about some of the exciting options we see shaping the future. Of course, solar power is a favorite method for consumers, but here are some of the other options available that help consumers and companies make a sustainable difference in energy consumption.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
The earth has massive amounts of heat stored just below the surface due to the sun’s rays, and geothermal energy is designed to harness this. This type of sustainable energy collection has been used to heat and cool homes for around 50 years, and when compared to traditional HVAC systems, they use 25% to 50% less electricity and can reduce energy bills up to 65%.
Geothermal heat pumps operate by using a pump to transfer heat to or from the ground to warm or cool homes, as well as producing hot water. As a result of the earth’s constant underground temperature, these pumps can be used in any climate, which means they’re available to you regardless if you live in a cold, humid, or hot climate.
Since they’re more energy-efficient than traditional HVAC systems, geothermal heat pumps not only reduce carbon emissions but also lessen the burden on energy grids during times of high demand. Lasting around 25 years, they only take about 10 years to pay themselves back in energy savings.
Wind Power
Small wind energy systems are a great cost-effective way to lower your electric bill, especially if you live in a rural or remote area with more land and freedom from homeowner associations. A clean alternative with zero emissions and pollution, most consumers can expect to lower their electricity bills by 50% – 90% and see a return on investment within six to 30 years.
If your energy demands are higher than average and your wind energy system can’t keep up, you can always combine it with a solar power setup to create a hybrid system. Using both wind turbines and solar panels allow you to not only double the amount of power generated but to also have continuous reliability in the case one system can’t perform as well as the other and allow for seasonal fluctuations in sunlight.
Typically, wind power and solar power don’t perform at their peak simultaneously – sunnier days have less wind, and windy days see less sunlight. That’s why having both systems ensures you can be using at least one source of renewable energy and not having to pull from the grid more than you’d like.
Micro Hydropower
If you have access to a flowing body of water near your home, then you can take advantage of hydropower – power produced using the energy of flowing water. This form of renewable energy works when water is diverted to your home and then channeled into a pump that produces power for your home.
One of the most simple and consistent forms of renewable energy, micro hydropower usually works best when you live in a more hilly or mountainous area since it is dependent on flowing water. Lasting for around 50 years, these systems usually generate up to 100 kilowatts of electricity, and maintenance can be expected to be pretty inexpensive.
While hydropower doesn’t cost a lot to use, it may not always be reliable, since water levels can change depending on the seasons and how much or how little it rains. There is also the factor that it could negatively impact local wildlife habitats and obstruct fish migration, increasing its negative environmental impact.
Although solar energy remains a more common option when it comes to renewable energy, it isn’t the only one. Depending on where you live or what your preferences are, you can choose whichever renewable resource you feel best fits your home and your needs.
Renewable energy is an obvious choice for many, but it hasn’t always been the most accessible for the average consumer or small businesses. However, thanks to advanced technology around these sustainable options, these eco-friendly choices are now much more available. If you have a sustainable company you’d like to have more consumer and media eyes on, feel free to reach out! We offer PR, marketing, and SEO services to help your brand’s reputation soar.
