In the past few years, off-grid houses have become quite popular among homeowners who have decided to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Of course, there are those who aren’t particularly fond of this change because they have the fact that they’d be practically obligated to constantly supervise their energy consumption.
And for those people, modern alternatives are way more convenient, which cannot be denied, since living off-grid simply isn’t for everybody. Even though it may be a bit “challenging”, it’s a lot more beneficial and rewarding.
If you are ready to make that change, yet you haven’t managed to get familiar with all the power sources that are at your disposal, then stick with us, because this detailed article is about to give you all the right information.
Omnipotent Solar Power
This is for sure one of the most popular options among people, and something that most homeowners have heard of. However, if you’re one of those rare individuals who isn’t familiar with it, then keep reading to find out more.
Namely, as the same suggests, if you resort to solar power, it means that you’ll be receiving energy from the sun. When its rays hit the solar panel, the photovoltaic cells that are in it, will immediately capture the light and turn it into electricity.
If you do not need it right away, or you simply want to gather as much electricity in one go as you can, then you can store it in batteries and leverage it later. Furthermore, if you could use an additional source of income, then make use of the solar panels by sharing the surplus energy with the grid if you’re connected to it.
For the time being, solar panels are one of the most common power sources (referring to the off-grid houses) and although they can be a bit pricey to begin with (due to installation), keep in mind that most governments give rebates and incentives for solar power systems.
Generally speaking, solar power is an excellent solution, however, don’t forget that if you opt for it, you’ll only be able to receive the energy during the day.
All The Wonderful Benefits That Come With Natural Gas
If you’re searching for something that’s effective, yet that’s not going to break the bank, then you should definitely take natural gas into consideration. It is generally a very wise option for anyone who leads a very eco-conscious lifestyle, yet aspires to properly heat their house.
As concluded previously, in comparison to some other options, this one is truly the most affordable. Of course, in order to reap the benefits of this power source, you first need to hunt down a natural gas generator for sale, which generally isn’t pricey, and then you’ll know what it feels like to heat your space with natural gas. You won’t only feel very comfortable, but you’ll also be able to save thousands of dollars on electricity bills.
Although every fossil fuel comes with certain virtues, the reality is that natural gas is the cleanest, plus it doesn’t generate as much carbon dioxide as others. In other words, it’s very eco-friendly and ideal for those who honestly care about the planet.
Have You Heard Of The Micro-Hydro Electricity?
If the answer is no, then this shouldn’t surprise you, since this power source isn’t as popular as the other ones. So how does it work? Namely, it utilizes a source of running water, such as a stream, to produce electricity.
To put it simply, it’s generated from the energy in water from a higher level to a lower level that converts a turbine at the bottom end of its system. Micro-hydro is another cost-effective solution, and your source is generally reliable, you’ll be able to run it all day long, which means seven days a week, making sure you always receive the right amount of off-grid energy.
In addition, since it generates a lot of consistent energy, then you won’t need to have as many batteries, as usual, to store the energy because there’s practically no moment when the system isn’t harvesting energy.
Although all of this sounds wonderful and almost perfect, keep in mind that if you do not have a stream in your garden, then you won’t be able to leverage it.
Moving On To Wind Turbine Solution
A variety of different elements, like vegetation, climate, and land topography, impact airflow. Consequently, if you’d like to make the most out of renewable energy for your sustainable space, then you should consider opting for a wind turbine system.
So how does this one work then? It turns the energy of the winds into electricity by utilizing aerodynamic force. As the wind blows across the blades, it impacts the air pressure, which leads to the production of the drag and lift.
Speaking of wind energy, it is slowly wrestling its way to the top, not only because it’s inexpensive, but because it provides electricity without polluting the air or burning the fuel. These days, you can easily stumble upon land-based wind turbines that are extremely effective, yet are one of the most cost-effective sources of energy in the world.
And Last, But Not Least, Wood Gasification
This refers to the process of converting organic materials (in most cases, it’s wood) into a gas that’s high in energy that you can use for various purposes, like heating, powering your generators, cooking, and many others.
When wood is burned in a fire pit or furnace, almost one-third of the material turns into flame, while the rest becomes gas and practically vanishes in the atmosphere. A wood gasifier generates an oxygen-deprived environment where lots of gas is gathered, purified, and ultimately, turned into usable energy.
This renewable source is effective as well and is oftentimes employed in homes that do not have natural gas or petroleum. If you opt for it, you won’t be harming the environment in any way.
As you can see, every single one of the power sources comes with numerous advantages and it’s up to you to go through all of them to determine which one is potentially most suitable for your off-grid needs.