How to Determine if Alternative Energy is For You

Alternative energy is great for the environment and the emerging renewable energy industry. But is alternative energy right for you and your family?

First, we must make one thing clear: renewable energy and alternative energy are sometimes used synonymously, though there is a subtle and important difference between the two.

Alternative energy suggests that energy is alternative to regular electricity (that is to say, it is not produced using fossil fuels). The difference is that not all alternative energies are renewable. For example, compressed natural gas and nuclear power are considered alternative energy sources, though compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute and nuclear power requires plutonium or uranium. Additionally, nuclear power creates hazardous byproducts. While these byproducts are less dangerous than those created by fossil fuels, their long radioactive half-lives will make them a problem in the long-term.

With that in mind, note that there are several different forms of alternative energy, including hydropower, solar power, wind power, geothermal power, biomass, compressed natural gas, nuclear power, electrofuels, and many others.

There are a number of questions you can ask yourself to help determine whether or not alternative energy is right for you:

• Do you want a system that will provide all your power needs or do you want supplemental energy generation to reduce the amount of power you buy from the energy grid?
• How long do you plan to live in this house?
• Are you looking for a wind turbine or solar panel system?
• How much are you willing to spend on alternative energy?
• What climate do you live in? Certain forms of alternative energy are better for different climates.

Naturally, whether or not alternative energy is right for you depends on what your energy goals are and how much you are willing to spend. However, if alternative energy is the solution for your family, you will likely enjoy energy savings while also resting assured that you are helping the environment.

What do you think about alternative energy? Would you use it as a supplement to your normal energy usage or as a means to get off the grid entirely?