In today’s economy, the costs of almost everything are rising at an alarming rate. In the last few years, energy rates have shot up substantially compared to how slowly they grew over the last century. Thanks to new regulations, local electricity rates are projected to increase substantially in the coming years. When dealing with electricity, you can choose between brown energy and green energy, depending on your situation. What’s the difference between the two and how can they impact you?
Brown Energy
Brown energy is the traditional type of electricity that is produced through the normal means. Typically, this refers to electric plants that produce power with coal or some other fossil fuels. It is referred to as brown energy because of the pollution that is caused by this form of energy. Local electricity rates are based on the use of brown energy for the most part, although that is slowly starting to change.
Green Energy
Green energy is a form of power that is renewable and does not pollute the earth in any way. With green energy, homeowners and businesses can take advantage of the abundant power that is all around them without having to rely on fossil fuels or create pollution. Some examples of green energy are solar power, hydroelectric power, wind power, geothermal power, and biodiesel. All of these forms of power have been available for many years, but they are starting to become more popular and widely available to the average person.
Costs
Initially, green energy typically requires a large upfront investment for the customer. This is because they must pay for all of the equipment that is needed and the labor to install it. For example, if you want to go solar, you have to pay for all of the panels, the inverter, the wire, monitoring equipment and other items that are required to make it work. Unless you know how to do it yourself, you also have to pay someone to hook it up for you.
By comparison, when you want to hook up to the grid, you just tell the power company where you want to connect and they’ll bring it to you. When you use brown energy, you’ll have an electric bill for the rest of your life. With green energy, you will eventually be producing free electricity. Once the system has paid for itself, you’ll be able to enjoy free power for several years. You can find out more about green energy here at this page.
Considerations
Although renewable energy systems can cost a lot initially, there are numerous programs and incentives that are available to help. For instance, the United States offers a 30 percent federal tax credit. Many utility companies also have rebates that you can take advantage of to help pay for your system. If you’re thinking about going green, find out what incentives and rebates may be available in your area. It may be more affordable than you previously thought was possible just a few years ago.
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