Go Green and Generate Your Own Electricity
Alternative ways of generating energy or heat will save you money and help the environment! One way is solar photovoltaic, where solar cells are used to generate electricity, which can then be connected to the grid. A shade-free roof that faces east to west is vital for this technology to work. Solar thermal technology produces hot water, and requires a shade-free roof that faces south east to south west.
If you live close to fast flowing water, you can install a water turbine to produce electricity either off or on the grid. Wind power also produces electricity, but obviously works best if you live in a windy area. Nowadays there are wind turbines that can be fitted to a house and faced into the prevailing wind. Biomass burners produce heat and hot water, and if you have a chimney it must have a flue. Wood pellets can be hard to come by, however, and they need to be stored.
You can also use wood, but obviously stay away from coal. A ground heat pump will supply hot water, and you’ll need a big garden and a JCB, but you’ll have an endless supply of cheap hot water once it’s installed.