Getting Off the Grid: Two Clear steps to Energy Freedom
Do you want to get off the grid? You are not alone. Getting off the grid and even becoming energy independent has lots of benefits. This means no more reoccurring power bills, forget about dependence on depleting fossil fuels, and no further power shutdowns caused by an overworked grid system. Before you get off the grid, however, you ought to do a couple of important things. You must figure out how much energy you require, and also need to choose the best option to produce that electrical power.
Completing an Energy Review
Before you go off the grid you need to work out how much electricity you’re presently using. To start this, look at your electricity bills. Ensure that you take a look at consumption for every calendar month of the year, paying special attention to the summer and winter months. The last thing you want to do is go off the grid and then fail to produce adequate power to allow you to get through the cold winter.
Once you know the amount of power you currently use, discover approaches to decrease your consumption. Is the house well insulated? Do you make use of energy efficient kitchen appliances? Have you got energy efficient behaviors, including unplugging appliances which are not being used? Take a moment with your members of the family and brainstorm creative ideas about how you, as a team, can reduce your energy consumption. Then put those strategies into action. Live for a number of months employing your new energy plan, examining your power bills along the way. Then make use of those comparisons figure out how much electrical power you will have to produce once you go off the grid. With that answer, you will then be all set to decide on another source of electricity.
Picking a Power Source
After you get off the grid, you’ll be creating your energy by using solar panels, a wind generator, or, if possible, a combination of both. We will first look into solar power systems.
Solar power systems
The requirements pertaining to solar power panels are actually very simple. Provided you can view and feel the sun’s rays, you may use solar energy panels. To get best results, have your solar panel oriented towards the south. Mount them to make sure they absorb sunlight at a 30-degree angle. In addition, solar panel systems are breakable, so you should install them in a very safe place. Many people mount them on their roofs. To determine the quantity of solar panels you require, use the details from your energy audit along with your solar panel manufacturer’s output descriptions. Should you be a DO-IT-YOURSELF type of individual, contemplate putting together your own panels. You will save yourself a lot of money as a result of doing it yourself.
Wind Turbines
To use a wind generator you have got to be in an acceptable locale. Most significantly, it’s essential to be in a spot that receives reliable winds. Should big structures or trees encircle your house, a wind turbine might not be the best option for you personally. If this is the case, and you still desire to make use of a wind turbine, understand that the smoothest, most constant winds will be 30 feet above any nearby buildings. Well before acquiring or building a windmill, invest in a wind meter and record the wind speeds at your location. Preferably, you want to get readings in each of the four seasons. Additionally, check with your regional government to discover if there are any kind of limitations or permits you need to be concerned about. Just as with solar panels, look into constructing your own wind turbine. Doing this will save you a lot of money.
Wind and solar power Combination
Many people who go off the grid make use of a mixture of wind and solar power. Using solar panels and a wind turbine will give you to be able to generate power Round the clock and in virtually all natural conditions. If you are intent on getting off the grid and making the most of energy independence, I suggest that you choose to take advantage of both wind and solar energy.
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