Alternative Power

There are numerous alternative methods of generating power (both direct and indirect).

Wind Power: Installing a wind turbine will generate up to a couple of Kilowatts of electricity for you (if there’s enough wind available). You’ll need to apply for Planning permission to install one in most instances and in Cities and Built up areas, the power they generate will be significantly reduced because of tall obstructions in the vicinity. Even so, in the Country, a good sized wind turbine will generate enough power to light a house, run your TV, washing machine and computer. You’ll need battery backup in order to have 24-7 power though, otherwise, staying on the electrical grid and installing an automated switch-over unit when wind power runs out will be a must.

Solar Power: It’s pretty limited when it comes to generating electrical power. You’ll need few sqaure meters of solar panels in order to generate the power needed to run a couple of lightbulbs. As with Wind power, battery backup will be a must.

Water Power: If you’ve got a river running through your garden, well you’re in luck, you could consider adding a water wheel to your plethora of energy making schemes.

Central heating heat sink: If you have the land, adding a kilometer of black tubing in the ground, coiled up, will let you draw heat out of the ground. With the ground being one giant heat sink, passing water through the piping will draw the heat out of the ground, passing it into the water, which in turn can be passed through your house-hold heating system to heat your house.

There is one thing to note about solar power. You can use it to heat your water. When the sun’s shining and you have a solar water heating panel on the roof, it will give you hot (or at least warm) water. Of course, you may need more than one panel and adding a hot water storage system, insulated against heat loss, will ensure your water stays warmer for a little longer.