Jacob Gitman Evaluates Renewable Technology

In today’s rapidly changing landscape, many people have put environmental sustainability at a premium. Every type of energy that is drawn from renewable sources puts less of a strain on the environment. Home renewable energy is a growing line of business, and there are many companies that can help the average homeowner do their part toward environmental sustainability. Jacob Gitman, a scientist and entrepreneur, explains the ways in which all Pensacola homeowners can become more sustainable and use renewable energy to their advantage.

Insulation

One of the primary ways that energy is wasted is through improper home insulation. Insulation is important even in warm and sunny cities like Pensacola. If a home is not well-insulated, cooled air will escape, leading to a greater demand on an air conditioning system. Homeowners should check and make sure that their homes are properly insulated.

Running weather-stripping around doors and windows can make a huge difference with very little money spent. Making sure that window air conditioning units are properly installed will also present cost savings and be better for the environment.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is often the easiest way for a homeowner to help their property become sustainable. Solar panels can be applied to the roof of a home, or solar arrays may be built on the surrounding property. Solar electric systems are a way for the average homeowner to receive natural energy and reduce their dependence on the electric grid.

Before adding a solar system to an existing home, homeowners should do an energy analysis of their property. They should know how much electricity they are using and what this has cost them in the past. They should also figure in the cost of a solar system.

Some companies sell the equipment directly to the consumer, while others retain ownership of the equipment. Most solar energy companies offer maintenance and repair services to their clients, though solar panels are generally trouble-free to operate.

Solar energy companies can install batteries that capture energy on sunny days and save it for nighttime use and when there is only a little sun.

Excess energy, above and beyond what the consumer uses in their home, can be sold back to the electric utility at a profit. After the equipment has paid for itself, this can represent an additional stream of revenue for the homeowner.

Wind Energy

Harnessing wind energy requires installing devices called wind turbines. When wind blows on these turbines and turns the blade, the energy is converted to electricity. Many larger businesses have installed wind turbines, lessening their energy costs and making them more environmentally friendly. The drawback to a wind turbine is that many neighbors may complain about the visual look of the installation. They may also believe that it causes excessive noise in the neighborhood, however a reasonably placed turbine is typically about as loud as a household refrigerator. Wind energy may be best for rural homeowners with large properties as a result.

Microhydropower Systems

If your property has water, you may want to look into constructing a micro hydropower system. These systems can generate as much as 100 kilowatts of energy, meaning that they can easily power a home, small business, or farm.

Microhydropower systems take advantage of the natural flow of water. They can be constructed wherever there is sufficient water pressure to do so.

Electric Cars

Plug-in hybrids and plug-in electric cars like those built by Tesla have the potential to revolutionize the auto world. As the pressure on the fossil fuel industry escalates, more people will turn toward non-polluting electric vehicles. At the present time, many commercial electricity sources are created using fossil fuels like coal or natural gas, so they are not as environmentally neutral as they seem. If a homeowner had the ability to charge an electric car with their own solar energy, they would be driving a truly renewable vehicle.

Tax Credits

In addition to the environmental benefits and the direct impact on the consumer’s wallet, the federal government, as well as many states and municipalities, offer renewable energy tax advantages. The federal Investment Tax Credit for solar energy installation enables homeowners and businesses to receive a 30 percent tax credit on their qualifying expenses. This tax credit steps down to 26 percent at the end of 2019, so interested homeowners should move quickly if they want to take full advantage of the credit.

Electric and hybrid car owners also enjoy tax advantages. The IRS offers incentives for the up-front costs of purchasing a plug-in electric vehicle.

Jacob Gitman encourages all environmentally responsible homeowners to look at the advantages of renewable energy. Renewable energy can save money while helping homeowners know that they are doing their part for the planet.

Solar energy, wind power, hydropower, and electric cars all have their potential to make a large impact on the world. Pensacola residents who care about the future of the environment have many reasons to change their energy consumption from fossil fuels to renewable sources.