From a Guest Blogger: How to Generate Your Own Energy and Slash Your Heating Bills

In light of the high cost of energy these days, finding ways to reduce your energy expenditure should be a top priority. There are many ways to do this. Making your home more energy-efficient is one, but it is also worth looking into ways of generating your own electricity. It may be that you can’t generate enough to take care of all of your needs, but if you can at least supplement your supplies, this will help to save you money and reduce your reliance on expensive and ultimately finite energy sources.  In this article, energy management system company Blue Pillar explains some of the renewable energy options available to you.

Solar Power

Solar panels, also known as solar photovoltaics, are a very popular way of generating free electricity in order to cut back on the cost of running a central heating system or similar. There are numerous benefits to having solar panels installed, although your house does need to be facing the right direction in order to generate the maximum amount of electricity.

Solar panels are expensive to install, but they generally pay for themselves after a few years. Whilst you are generating your electricity, it is free and any excess is stored. If you end up with a surplus, this can be sold back to the National Grid. You may even be able to apply for a grant towards the cost of installation through the government’s Green Deal scheme.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines, like solar panels, generate ‘green’ electricity, so installing a wind turbine in your garden is great for the environment and an excellent way of reducing your heating expenditure over the years ahead. Larger 6KW pole-mounted wind turbines are expensive to install, but a small roof-mounted turbine is relatively inexpensive. As with solar generated electricity, any extra electricity you generate from a wind turbine can be sold back to the grid. However, it is worth remembering that the success of wind turbines is very much dependent on the location where they are installed. For example, if you live in an exposed area, you can look forward to lots of free electricity, but if you live in a densely forested plot, you may as well not bother.

Wood Fueled Heating

Wood fueled heating does exactly what it says on the tin: it burns wood as fuel. Wood burning stoves have become increasingly popular in recent times, and for good reason. They look great and are far more efficient at generating heat than a traditional open fire. Plus, if you have access to a ready supply of wood off-cuts, logs, or the like, then it won’t cost you a thing to use. As long as you install a large enough stove, you should be able to generate enough heat to keep a small home comfortably warm and cozy. This will allow you to turn your heating down or even not use it at all for short spells, which is good for your pocket.

Hydroelectricity Systems

Not everyone lives on a housing estate with access to mains electricity or a convenient central heating system. So if you happen to be one of the thousands of people who live ‘off-grid’ and have to find innovative ways of generating electricity and heat, a hydroelectric system could be the answer. Hydroelectricity systems use, as the name suggests, flowing water to generate electricity. This type of system is expensive to install, but if you live in the middle of nowhere, it will still be cheaper than hooking up to the National Grid. And even if you don’t, you could use it to top up your existing electricity supply and save money.

Pedal Power

One way of increasing your fitness level at the same time as generating some extra electricity is to invest in a bike power generator. Unless you are a superhuman cycling dynamo, you are unlikely to be able to produce enough electricity to light up your home, but at the very least you should be able to keep the TV going for a short while.

The next time your electricity bill gives you nightmares, don’t panic. There are many ways to generate free electricity. Some are expensive to install, but if you do some investigative work, you may be able to secure a grant to cover part of the cost.