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A Few Things You Need To Know About Green Energy

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Schmitt

How much do you know about green energy? If you are interested in getting your own green energy system, there are a few things you need to know about green energy. Keep reading for some useful tips on green energy.

Green energy systems are only efficient if there are enough natural resources available. Ask a professional to assess the resources available on your property. Solar panels are useful if you live in a sunny area such as the South West of the U.S. If you live near a lake or an ocean and can count on constant winds of 10 mph or more, you should look into getting a wind turbine. If there is a stream of running water on your property, you could install a hydraulic system on it. Geothermal energy is very efficient but this option is possible only if your property includes a geothermal source. Choose your system in function of the resources you have access to, and consider purchasing green energy directly from your energy provider if there are no resources available in your area

Establish a budget for your green energy system and go to your financial institution to find out what kind of loans you could get. Some sellers will allow you to make payments over the years but you will get better rates if you borrow money from a bank to purchase your system right away. Producing your own green energy will make you eligible for interesting tax rebates and you will not have to spend anything on your electricity and gas bill. Besides, most energy providers will purchase the energy you do not need right away. This will allow you to use power from the main grid while your system is not working and perhaps make a small profit.

There are other options you should explore if you do not want to purchase an expensive green energy system. Smaller systems designed to power a couple of appliances are a good option too. For instance, a couple of solar panels are enough to power a water heater or some outside lights. And if you cannot afford these smaller systems, look for ways to reduce your energy consumption and your impact on the environment. Improve the insulation of your home, replace your old appliances with energy-efficient ones and turn off the appliances you do not need.

If you cannot afford a green energy system now or are not ready to purchase a home and stay there for a long time, you could plan on getting a green energy system later. Attend conferences and go to trade shows to learn about new technologies and keep track of prices. You will find that new products appear on the market regularly and prices drop within a couple of years. The most efficient technologies are also the most recent and expensive ones but they should become more affordable withing a few years if you can afford to wait.

Do more research on green energy and assess your resources and needs before you decide what to do. Keep in mind that a green energy system represents a major financial decision and a long-time investment.

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