Scotland is a success story that every country around the world should follow. Some have come close, with Germany leading behind Scotland in being able to exceed demand with renewable energy alone.
Due to Scotland’s success, the world looks bright, and the chances of the UK successfully eliminating its use of coal for energy use by 2025 is a realistic possibility. Wind power, thanks to the massive increases in efficiency, is now a viable energy producer.
Wind Power in Scotland Exceeds Homeowner Usage
Wind power has for almost a year now been the top energy producer in Scotland, and the year isn’t even finished yet. On average between January to June, Scottish wind turbines produced 9.8 million megawatts of electricity. This could be used to power 4.47 million homes, almost twice as many properties within Scotland. This means that not only did Scotland successfully power its own citizens with renewables, but it also powered much of Northern England as well.
How Homeowners Can Make Scotland’s Success Go Further
It only stands to reason that another great way to make this energy triumph go further is for everyday homeowners to invest in renewable electricity options and alternative appliances that will cut down their reliance on the energy sector. By reducing usage and improving renewable investment, the entirety of the UK – not just Scotland – can be a green leader. There are many ways that you can join in with this triumph and make more sustainable and green pro choices when it comes to your own home. You might even be surprised to hear that they are easier than you would initially think.
Improving the Insulation In Your Home
You need to improve the insulation in your home before you can do anything else. The problem of poor insulation isn’t restricted to old properties alone. Even those that are just a few decades old could be lacking in quality insulation. That being said, it is important not to get scammed into insulation that your property does not need.
It is also important to know your options. Some insulation types require a lot of effort because they need to strip the walls before they can put up your insulation. Foam insulation, on the other hand, can be done from a few points, as the foam can be sprayed and then expands to seal the area.
Always get a second opinion and only from trusted contractors so that you can get the insulation you need for your property.
Insulating your walls and attics is not the only way to reduce energy loss. Doors and windows are also huge culprits. If you don’t have them already, invest in double glazed windows and see how you can seal your outside doors better to reduce that draft coming in once and for all.
Switching Out the Appliances and Items In Your Home
The next step is to stop using quite as much energy. Insulating your home is a great first step, but the next is to go through and switch out your systems. Everything from your light bulbs to your fridge, and your oven, washer, should be looked at. In some cases, there are renewable options that can help heat your home and your water, like with the air source heat pump.
These pumps are very popular in the UK, as they can be added easily to almost any property and immediately start heating the water that goes through your home’s heating system efficiently, cutting your fuel bills and reducing your energy usage significantly.
Invest in Unique Heating Systems
One great alternative heating and cooling system is an air source heat pump. These pumps are very popular in the UK right now, as they are easy to install and are even applicable for the domestic renewable heat incentive program, which makes affording these solutions easy.
Knowing how an air source heat pump works can help you decide on whether the system is right for your home. Essentially it extracts heat from outside, but don’t be fooled. This system can pull heat from the outdoors even in winter temperatures of -15C.
It works by taking the air from outside that will then heat up a liquid refrigerant. With the power of electricity, it then compresses this liquid, which in turn increases its heat through compression. The heat this produces is then released to heat your water, which can then heat your home or keep your bath warm.
Install Smart Home Systems
When you leave your home, you want all of your electricity to be turned off. You would also ideally like your home to be heated and comfortable by the time that you get back. With a smart home system, all of this is possible and more. By syncing it up to your phone, it can know when you leave and send out a message to your home when you are on your way home so that it can then starting heating your home, not on a timer.
These smart home systems can be essential when it comes to reducing home energy use from the source – your usage.
Invest In Your Own Renewable Electricity Production
All of the options above will help you reduce your energy consumption, which will do wonders towards spreading out the energy production Scotland has created. To go that extra mile, however, you will want to look towards investing in renewable electricity production.
Solar panels use the photons in sunlight to produce electricity, in a process known as Photovoltaics. It does not need direct sunlight in order to work, and newer models of solar panels have become increasingly efficient over the years. What this means is that that even those of you who live in primarily cloudy areas can benefit from solar panels on their rooftops.
Combined with a quality battery and minimum energy use, you can very well reduce or completely eliminate your use of Scotland’s energy. If everyone did this, Scotland could do so much more than power Scotland and North England; it could power the entirety of the UK and beyond.
How to Further Help Scotland’s Energy Sector Success
Reducing your energy use and investing in your own energy production is so important, but that isn’t the only thing you can do. In fact, arguably the most important step you can take is to:
Vote for Candidates that Care for Green Innovation
For candidates who don’t believe that science can cut it down and reverse decades of progress, just look at what is occurring in the United States and Brazil. Science is being denied, and investment in environment-killing practices is at an all-time high. The short term profits are all that are being cared about, not the long term investment in our health and society. It is critical that the candidates voted in care for and nurture Scotland’s impressive green energy sector so that it can be the world leader it is destined to be.
Switch to Renewable Energy Providers
If you haven’t already, then it is time to switch to renewable energy providers. Though most of the energy you will be getting now is likely from renewables already, switching can guarantee that your home is only ever powered by renewable electricity. This will support the industry and help to keep your carbon footprint low.
There are so many ways that you can help the environment, and one of the most impactful is collectively reducing energy usage and promoting renewable energy use.
