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Getting Off The Grid: 2 Basic Steps To Energy Self-reliance
Performing an Energy Audit Before you go off the grid it's essential to figure out how much electrical power you are currently using. To start, check out your power bills. Make sure to check usage for every single 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 then fail to produce an adequate amount of power to allow you to get through the icy wintertime. Once you know the amount of power you currently use, discover new ways to lower your consumption. Is the home well insulated? Do you use energy efficient kitchen appliances? Do you have energy efficient habits, such as unplugging appliances that are not in use? Sit a while with all your family members and brainstorm creative ideas about how you, as a team, will be able to lower your energy usage. Then put those strategies into action. Live for a number of months with your brand new energy plan, checking your power bills as you go along. Then simply make use of those reviews to decide just how much electricity you have got to generate after you go off the grid. With this answer, you will then be ready to settle on your new source of power. Power Source After you get off the grid, you'll be producing your own power with your own solar panels, a wind generator, or, if possible, a mixture of each. We will first of all check out solar panel systems. Solar power systems The needs for solar panel products are actually straightforward. If you can view and feel the sun's rays, you may use solar panel products. For best results, have your solar power panels facing the south. Position them to make sure they soak up sunlight at a 30-degree angle. Also, solar panel systems are fragile, so make sure you install them in a very safe location. A lot of people install these products on their rooftops. To figure out how many solar power panels you will need, use the information from your energy audit along with your solar panel manufacturer's output specs. For anyone who is a DO IT YOURSELF type of individual, look at constructing your own solar panels. You will save yourself thousands by simply doing the work on your own. Wind Turbines To use a windmill you will need to be in an appropriate place. Most of all, you will need to be in an area that receives reliable winds. If big structures or trees encircle your house, a wind generator may not be the best option for you. In the event that this is the situation, and you still would like to make use of a wind turbine, understand that the smoothest, most constant winds will be 30 feet above any nearby structures. Before buying or building a wind turbine, invest in a wind meter and record the wind speeds at your location. If possible, you desire to get readings in every one of the four seasons. Additionally, check with your local government to discover if there are any specific limitations or permits you need to be concerned about. Like with solar panels, give consideration to constructing your own windmill. This will save you a lot of cash. Wind and solar energy Combination Many people who go off the grid use a combination of wind and solar power. Having solar panels and a wind turbine gives you the ability to create electricity Twenty-four hours a day and in almost all natural conditions. If you are serious about getting off the grid and taking advantage of energy independence, I recommend that you choose to take advantage of both wind and solar energy. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Be strong. Be smart. Be independent. Discover how to get off the grid? Stop by www.makeenergynow.com/report to download a FREE copy of my professionally written e-book "Renewable Energy and Other Money Saving Secrets for Your Home." |
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