Understanding The 5 Types of Renewable Energy Sources

According to statistics, in 2015, about 10% of total U.S. energy consumption was from renewable energy sources. According to published reports, production of renewable energy is relatively cheaper compared to fossil fuels, making it a more affordable energy source.

Renewable energy sources are found naturally in sunlight, underground, air, and in the oceans. They are renewed continuously, typically, and it is impossible to exhaust them. They are the best choice when compared to traditional fossil fuels because they are more environmentally friendly. Renewable energy sources are relevant because they lead to less pollution and are an ideal way for power generation.

There are different types of renewable energy sources that generate electricity directly or indirectly and help in the fight against global warming. Some of these sustainable energy forms include:

1. Solar energy: Sunlight is one of the most commonly known sources of renewable energy. The power generation is achieved by harvesting the sun's energy and light and converting it into heat. Once the energy is saved, it is used for lighting, water heating, and cooling systems inside homes or businesses.
   
   
   One of the key benefits of using solar power at home or at a company is the ability to save on energy costs. The initial cost of installing solar panels can be slightly high, but in the long run, many households and businesses report a reduction in their energy bills.
   
2. Wind: Another renewable energy source is wind. The flow of the wind is captured by turbines and then converted into electricity. The electricity generated by wind turbines can be used to supplement energy in already existing establishments, and some cases can offset the need for energy from electricity providers. Farmers have also been known to prefer using power generated from the wind reducing their energy expenses.
   
3. Geothermal energy: This is another source of sustainable energy. The energy, in this case, is generated from the heat of the earth. The heat can be found either close to the surface of the earth or from heated rock and hot water reservoirs that are deep in the ground. Geothermal power plants are then able to generate electricity from these sources and supply power to various establishments and homes. Manufacturing plants, heating water at fish farms, as well as helping with growing greenhouse plants are some of the ways that geothermal power is used directly.
   
4. Hydroelectricity: This is energy that is from water or the kinetic energy from flowing rivers. Commonly, hydroelectric power is generated when water stored in dams is released and flows through turbines and produces electricity. This type of system is known as pumped-storage hydropower.
   
   
   Run-of-river hydropower is another system where energy is generated from a flowing river requiring no dam or water reservoirs. Hydroelectricity can also be used to run big manufacturing plants as well as power households and is considered to be environmentally friendly.
   
5. Energy from the ocean: The ocean can produce two types of energy; thermal energy generated from the sun's heat and mechanical energy produced out of the waves and motions of tides. Electricity is generated from ocean thermal energy by using different systems that depend on the temperatures of the water on the surface. Ocean mechanical energy, on the other hand, depends on the ebbs and tides that result from the rotation of the earth and the influence of the moon.

Renewable energy sources are not only friendly to the environment but are also a cheaper source of electricity. Various green energy providers can offer advice on the best source for your home or industry depending on the cost and available sources available locally.

3 Heating Myths That Could Cost You Money This Winter

With the winter weather here, many homeowners have the heat in their homes cranked high to keep them comfortable. But while you may be nice and warm, your energy bill is probably rising. The good news is that you don't have to freeze to save on energy during the colder months. Let's take a look at a few heating myths that could cost you energy and money this winter.


You should turn up the heat quickly. One of the biggest misconceptions about using heat is that if you crank up the heat, it will warm up the house faster. Unfortunately, this is not true. Your HVAC system can't magically make your home five degrees warmer instantaneously. Instead, it has to heat it up slowly. And if you set the thermostat several degrees higher, your heating system is just going to have to work harder. In turn, this actually uses more energy. So if you're looking to save on energy costs, don't change the temperature more than a few degrees at a time.


New windows always help reduce energy costs. If you live in an old house with old windows, air leaks around the windows certainly could be contributing to increased energy bills. But getting new windows is not a cure-all solution. Furthermore, getting all new windows can be an expensive project. Instead, you should focus on smaller ways to reduce air leaks throughout your home. Did you know that insulating your walls and ceilings can help reduce heating bills by 20% to 30%? Ensuring your home is properly insulated is a great way to ensure the warm air stays inside your home.


A programmable thermostat always saves energy. While it's true that having a programmable thermostat can help reduce energy use, it only works if you use it properly. When you get a programmable thermostat, make sure to read the instructions and talk to your electric company. If you program the thermostat to turn the heat up before you get out of bed when you normally wait until you get up, it's going to end up using more energy. But if the thermostat is programmed properly, it could help you save energy.


Hopefully, this article cleared up some confusion regarding using heat and saving energy during the winter. If you have questions or concerns about your energy use, talk to your electric company about ways you can reduce your monthly bills.

3 Facts About Renewable Energy Everyone Should Know

The importance of renewable energy is something more and more people are taking the time to understand. And luckily, people are not just taking time to understand the importance of renewable energy, but are acting on it as well. Renewable energy options are used all around the world, and in 2015 alone about 13% of energy generation in the United States was from renewable energy sources. So with more sustainable sources of energy being explored and utilized, there are a few things everyone should know about green energy.

U.S. cities are going green: 65 U.S. cities have taken action and have begun to transition to 100% clean energy. Already, five cities, including Aspen, Colorado and Burlington, Vermont, have already successfully begun to run off of 100% renewable energy sources. Along with these 65 cities, numerous states, counties, and establishments have started using sustainable energy in hopes of achieving 100% sustainability.

Solar energy can be used at night: Many people believe that solar energy is something that can only be utilized during daylight. But power obtained from the sun's rays can actually be stored and used at night too. Power can be stored in materials like salt to provide energy all night long, and large batteries are cheaper and easier to produce than ever before. Solar energy is one of the most powerful and popular choices for sustainable energy. Because of its abilities, many companies are competing to harness solar power more efficiently.

Wind turbines can power hundreds of homes: Like solar power, many people are investing in the benefits of wind power. Today's wind turbines are so efficient that just one turbine can produce enough energy to power hundreds, if not thousands, of homes. There are more and more businesses building wind turbines and many companies are investing in wind power to provide their energy needs.

The importance of renewable energy is undeniable. With our limited resources running low, it's time that everyone helps to make strides in an eco-friendly direction. Sustainable energy can reduce energy costs, help the environment, and provide jobs.

Biggest Summer Energy Expenses and How to Reduce Them

If you're looking for ways to save some money so you can spend it on fun-filled summer activities, you should start by evaluating your energy expenses. Summer tends to cause an increase in energy bills -- fortunately, there are easy ways to reduce these costs.

Biggest Summer Energy Expenses

Like every other time of the year, summer comes with its own unique energy challenges. Let's look at a few of the biggest culprits for increasing energy bills.

Cranking up the air conditioning: When the temperatures start to rise, everyone's first instinct is to turn up the AC. And while it's nice to have a cool, comfortable home, air conditioning can cause your energy bills to increase significantly. So try to remember that the closer the temperature is inside to outside, the lower your energy bills will be. Try other methods to cool down like opening windows for a cross breeze and utilize ceiling and floor fans.

Letting cool air escape: If your home has cracks and leaks around windows or doors, you may be letting your cooled air sneak out of your home. While this may not seem like a big use of energy, sealing air leaks and ensuring your home is properly insulated can save you up to 20% on cooling bills. When there are even small holes or leaks, your cooled air can easily escape, making your cooling costs skyrocket.

Using more hot water: With the kids out of school, your dishwasher and washing machine are probably running more often. And it's important to remember that you'll use the same amount of water whether or not the machine is completely full. So to avoid wasting water and energy, make sure you're always doing a full load of dishes or clothes.

Renewable Energy Options to Consider

Fortunately, if you consider using sustainable sources of energy, you can save significant amounts on your energy bills all year long. There are plenty of sustainable sources of energy to explore to fit your wants and needs.

Solar panels: With solar energy becoming one of the most popular renewable energy sources, solar panel costs continue to decrease. Even if you can only afford one or two, utilizing solar energy is a great way to save money on energy expenses, especially with the hot summer sun beating down.

Solar oven: If you're looking for more of a DIY source of sustainable energy, you should consider making your own solar oven to cook your meals with. They're easily made out of a few common materials and work by trapping sunlight. This is a great project to get the whole family involved with too.

Hydroelectric power: If you have a source of flowing water nearby, you can make some of the water flow through a turbine to produce energy. While you may need a professional to help install the hydropower generator, it's a great way to utilize natural resources to help power your home.

By exploring some sustainable sources of energy and being smart about how you're using energy at home, you can significantly reduce your energy costs this summer.

How Can Homeowners Save On Energy Costs in Summer?

How Can Homeowners Save On Energy Costs in Summer?

With warm and sunny weather just around the corner, homeowners should be thinking about how to save on cooling costs and energy use this Summer. Contrary to popular belief, saving energy doesn't have to be difficult! By working with a sustainable residential energy provider and doing a few things to reduce energy at home, homeowners can significantly cut back on energy use. To help you get started, this article is going to discuss a few easy ways to reduce energy costs at home this summer.

1. Open the windows. While many people are tempted to crank up the air conditioner as soon as it gets warm out, this obviously increases energy use. Instead, homeowners should consider opening windows. Not only does this allow for some fresh air to get in the house after being closed off all winter, but it will allow for a cross-breeze and will naturally cool down the house. If homeowners do choose to crank up the AC, they should ensure they speak with their residential energy provider about heating and cooling costs.
2. Keep the curtains closed. When the sun is out, most homeowners enjoy keeping their curtains and blinds open to let the sun into their home. However, this added heat inside the home can lead homeowners to crank up the AC. So by keeping window treatments closed, homeowners can reduce heat gain as the temperature gets warmer. This is one of the easiest ways to save energy and add a little decor to a home as well.
3. Plant some trees. Summer is a great time to get some gardening done. And guess what? Planting trees can even help you reduce cooling costs! Shade trees and even appropriate painting can help homeowners reduce energy use and save up to 2.4 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Furthermore, each tree that's planted absorbs about 25 pounds of CO2 each year as well. So not only will homeowners have nice trees in their yard, but they'll enjoy reduced energy costs as well.
4. Have the AC unit serviced. As the temperature rises, the AC unit will inevitably be turned on. After sitting idle for the winter months, air conditioner units will have to kick it into overdrive to cool the house down. By getting their AC unit serviced, homeowners can ensure their unit is running as efficiently as possible. If the filters are clogged or parts are going bad, the inefficient unit will increase energy costs. But a little regular maintenance can help homeowners with their energy reduction and keep their house cool.
5. Cook dinner outside. With warm weather comes those yummy summer foods like burgers and hot dogs. But instead of cooking them inside, homeowners should consider grilling out. Not only will they get to enjoy the nice warm weather, but they'll keep the heat out of their homes and save electricity by choosing to grill out instead. In doing this, homeowners will be saving energy and getting yummy food, so it's a win-win.

Summer is a great time to start reducing energy use. With it being not too cold or not too hot, there are plenty of opportunities for homeowners to take advantage of the mild weather and not use their cooling systems too frequently. By working with their residential energy provider and making a few simple changes at home, homeowners can reduce their energy use, their energy bills, and do their part in saving the planet at the same time.

Hawaii College on Track to Run Completely on 100% Renewable Energy by 2035

Three years ago, Hawaii pledged to use renewable energy sources to generate all of its electricity by 2045. While the whole state is working towards this goal, the University of Hawaii (UH) is stepping up to do its part. Working with the Hawaiian Legislature, UH set a goal for the university to be "net-zero" by January 1, 2035. "Net-zero" means the total amount of energy that is consumed by the university will equal the amount of energy it creates.

University officials announced that UH's Maui College is set to be the first U.S. college campus to use solar systems to completely make the switch from fossil fuels. The university hopes the system will be up and running by 2019 and will consist of 2.8 megawatts of solar PV.

"We are proud to move the entire University of Hawaii System closer to its net-zero energy mandate, to celebrate UH Maui College's achievement and to position the Oahu community college campuses within reach of 100 percent renewable energy generation," said UH Vice President for Community Colleges John Morton.

Leeward Community College, Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, and Windward Community College are not far behind the Maui campus and are planning to see reductions of fossil fuel use by at least 70%.

This sustainable energy project is not only saving the state energy and money, but providing educational options for these college students as well.

How Can You Start Saving Energy?

When you see the bill you get from your electricity company, you may be wondering how you can reduce your energy use at home. Let's discuss a few energy saving tips you can try.

Change your lightbulbs: Homeowners can reduce their energy use by up to 80% simply by utilizing today's energy-efficient LED, CFL, and halogen incandescent light bulbs. If you're still using traditional light bulbs in your house, now is the time to make the switch. Your electricity company may even have some suggestions for which light bulbs would be best.

Install new windows and doors. The windows and doors in your house might not be doing their job as well as you may think. Hot and cool air both escape through inefficient windows and doors, costing homeowners money on bloated HVAC bills. By choosing energy efficient models that stop air leaks, you can ensure your home stays comfortable without racking up your energy bill. 

While it may not seem like these little things make a difference, they really do! In today's society, every little bit of energy reduction helps -- so do what you can to reduce your energy use at home.