As consumers look for green alternatives to replace everyday products and services, it is probably no surprise that there has been increased interest in renewable energy tariffs in recent years.
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy (or green energy) is generated through wind farms, solar power, hydro power, and bio-generation, as well as individual homes using solar panels. The majority of energy suppliers offer at least one renewable energy tariff. Each has to disclose where this energy came from, which means you can choose a tariff based on your individual preferences for how energy is produced.
Even if you choose a renewable energy tariff, unless you’re generating your own power through solar panels, your supplier will be providing you with electricity through the National Grid. That means they can’t guarantee all your energy will come from green sources. However, by choosing a renewable energy tariff, you’re sending a message to suppliers that this matters to you, meaning the amount of green energy available will increase over time.
The cost of renewable energy
According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, average renewable energy bills are generally higher than other tariffs. However, these costs are going down, as more suppliers enter the market, making it more competitive. For those who want to sign-up for a renewable energy tariff but are worried about the costs, you could consider cutting costs by installing an energy-efficient boiler. If you are interested in boiler installation Cheltenham based combi-man.com can offer you advice on which would best for you.
The benefits of renewable energy
There are lots of benefits when it comes to renewable energy. The first is that it’s clean, producing fewer greenhouses gases than other forms of energy, meaning it is less harmful to the environment.
As well as helping the environment, renewable energy can have a positive impact on health. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and diesel release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, leading to smog and acid rain. These, in turn, can lead to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced lung function and the worsening of asthma.
Renewable energy also helps countries become more self-sufficient, allowing them to manage how, when and where they use the energy they produce and reducing any risks associated with buying power from other countries, including sudden price hikes.