Four Home Improvement Projects That Harness The Elements To ...

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Everyone wants to save money on their home energy bill, and there are a lot of little things you can do to make a dent in it. But even if you install a system to monitor your energy use, switch to a smart thermostat, and replace all your lightbulbs with CFLs or LED bulbs so that you use less power, you still have to get power from somewhere.

Whether you?re looking to go off the grid completely or just supplement your power consumption, the earth itself has a lot to offer beyond oil and coal, especially if you?re willing to devote a bit of time and effort to harnessing its power. Some things like solar power are pretty well known, so we?ll run down some more unusual ways to tap into Mother Nature?s wealth. Your budget and the environment will thank you!

1. Feel the power of the sun. Solar panels and tiles are among the first things that most people think of when you mention eco-friendly energy, and with good reason. They?ve been around for years, and the technology keeps getting cheaper and more efficient.

When you say solar power, most people probably think of traditional solar panels, the most common method for harnessing the sun?s energy. In recent years, however, manufacturers have made great strides in other products such as solar tiles or shingles, which more closely resemble typical roof tiles and are great for people who don?t like the aesthetics of large solar panels on their roof.

Depending on what you decide to install, where you live, and how your house is situated in relation to the sun, solar power can come close to replacing your standard power supply. While such systems are somewhat pricey to install, the return on your investment will be significant.

2. Dig deep into the earth?s warmth. Geothermal heating systems use the heat of the earth itself to both heat and cool your home. Simply speaking, the system works by pumping a carrier fluid (usually a mix of water and antifreeze) through pipes buried underground. During cold weather, the liquid absorbs heat from the ground, which is then extracted and used to heat the house. In warm weather, the system is reversed, with heat from the house pumped into the ground and cooler liquid used to cool the house.

Systems such as this, known as geo-exchange systems, have been shown to save homeowners 30% to 70% in heating costs and 20% to 50% on cooling costs, according to the EPA. Bear in mind, though, that since installing a geothermal system does involve digging, installation can be a somewhat involved process. But even existing homes can be retrofitted with a geothermal system by a competent contractor.

3. Catch a light breeze. Residential wind turbines are another growing area of green power. Unlike geothermal energy, which is always there, wind power varies significantly according to location and weather patterns. Most small-scale wind turbines are designed to work best with wind speeds between 10 and 25 mph, with faster speeds risking damage to the machinery, so it?s an option that works best for locations with fairly constant, relatively light winds.

While residential wind turbines are becoming much more viable as alternative energy resources, be sure that you do some research before dropping $10,000 or more on a system for your home. In some locations, such a system is absolutely worthwhile, but others will find the investment much slower to pay for itself.

4. Go with the flow. If you?re lucky enough to have a relatively large amount of property with a source of running water such as a river or stream, micro-hydro power might be a viable option. Don?t worry, we?re not talking about installing Hoover Dam in your back yard!

Residential micro-hydro power systems usually involve diverting some amount of water from the flow of a stream or river through a turbine of some sort and then back into the source farther downstream. As long as the source of water is relatively constant and there?s enough of a vertical drop to support the flow of water back to the source, even a small stream can provide a significant amount of power.

Green energy for any budget Whatever your budget, there are ways to supplement your energy needs without burning fossil fuels. Even if you?re not quite ready to replace your roof with solar shingles or install a geothermal system, try using a rain barrel to help you recycle rainwater to use in the garden, or install a tubular skylight to let a bit of natural light into your living room. Every little bit will help the planet and your wallet!

[Image credits: Cariliv, Matt Montagne, SteFou!, TechnoSpin Inc., SciDevNet]

This article was written by Katherine Gray and originally appeared on Tecca

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