Deciding which type of energy system to use in your home can be a challenge, especially if it’s new. However, there are ways to test which will be the most effective, efficient, and affordable. By carefully evaluating the merits of each option, the right choice tends to be quite obvious. From wind to solar, here are a few things to consider when considering options for your family.
Geothermal Energy
According to the US EIA, 51% of a home’s electricity is used for climate control. Further, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that heat pumps are an effective solution. Since these machines can cool and heat homes, they represent an energy-efficient solution. Moreover, they are among the most cost-effective options for heating, saving you a ton.
To install a geothermal heat pump, you must drill down into the ground, tapping into stored heat. Then, this can be taken to a system of water tubes, where the water gets heated. Once the water has reached a workable temperature, it can circulate throughout a home.
Solar Electricity
Another popular option for environmentally conscious consumers would be to install solar. Now, most homes can have a panel system installed on the roof, and it will create electricity on site. Energy.gov recommends performing a home energy audit before installing a system.
By auditing a home’s electricity consumption, panel designers know how much it needs. Sometimes, it may not be possible to generate sufficient current with roof panels. Nevertheless, installing a solar system could still reduce your environmental footprint and utilities.
Photovoltaic specialists must examine a roof in person to determine its solar potential. Even if you live in a sunny climate, other factors might limit a roof’s potential, making it unviable. So, if somebody would like to install panels, start by getting a solar expert to assess your property.
Also, remember to check with the HOA and ask if they have any restrictions against solar in the bylaws. To lower costs, apply for the federal tax credit incentive, which rebates up to 22% of your system’s price. Unfortunately, this rebate is only available until December 31st, 2021, at the moment.
All-Solid-State Batteries
Assuming your home was a good fit for solar, you will still need somewhere to store the energy. Until recently, the main option was inefficient lithium-ion technology. But, this is no longer the case, and a new and upgraded solid-state lithium battery offers amazing benefits.
Generally, lithium-ion batteries have used a liquid electrolyte since they were introduced. Yet, new designs use a solid electrolyte instead. The resulting batteries are smaller, weigh less, and can be produced much cheaper. They are not as flammable as previous technology, limiting potential safety hazards.
At the moment, manufacturers are producing ASSBs without using any solvents or vacuums. So, it has a much smaller impact on the environment, and it only requires a fraction of the usual binders to make.

Natural Gas and Propane
Last year, the United States used approximately 30.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That was equal to 31.5 quadrillion BTUs, representing 34% of the US’s total consumption. For the most part, propane is consumed when cooking, drying clothes, and heating homes.
Nevertheless, it has been gradually phased out as renewables gain traction. Still, if someone bought a place with a propane heating system already, it is not a bad system. Compared to many alternatives, such as coal, it is cleaner and more cost-efficient.
Wind and Other Renewables
Energy.gov reports that small-scale wind turbines can reduce monthly electricity by 90%. They are generally more expensive than other systems, and they are only viable in some places. Unless there is sufficient wind near the property, no amount of turbines will meet demand.
Since the earth does not experience uniform heating, unequal temperatures generate wind. The movement of this air contains a rather significant amount of kinetic energy. Turbines capture the wind’s kinetic energy and then convert it into electricity.
Choosing the Right Energy Solution for Your Family
Whether you are buying an older home or building a new one, you want to consider its energy system. The type of system and its energy source will both impact your long-term operating costs. Nonetheless, it is not difficult to pick a decent system if you have done the research beforehand.
Other interesting reads: 5 Smart Ways to Be More Energy-Efficient at Home