Green Products for Alternative Energy

Ground Source Heat Pumps

• Ground source heat pumps use as little as one-half as much electricity as the traditional heating systems. They use the somewhat steady temperature of the Earth, and not the air, to cool and heat a building. Ground source heat pumps usually last between 25 and 50 years. While they may be more expensive initially, the system will pay for itself in less than 10 years. The ground source heat pump is an alternative to burning fossil fuel.

Solar Energy

• Solar energy uses photovoltaic solar cells to capture and convert the sun's energy and store it for later use. A contractor can install a system that provides all your needs, but staying on the grid will provide backup energy services. Solar energy can supplement the heating and electrical systems. Solar hot water heating systems are also available. A direct circulation system works best where freezing temperatures are not a problem. If freezing temperatures are a possibility, the indirect solar heating system uses a freeze-proof fluid to prevent icing.

Wind Turbines

• Wind turbines provide one of the cleanest forms of alternative energy, according to the Tree Hugger website. Additionally, the wind turbine can cut energy costs by as much as 90 percent. Some wind turbines do not need an inverter and can be connected directly to the power grid.

Balanced HVAC System

• When an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system is installed, the remodeler often forgets to add a ventilation component. In a green home, the ventilation system conditions the incoming fresh air with the coolness or heat contained in the "exhaust" air before it leaves the home. While there are three types of ventilation systems available -- exhaust-only, supply-only and the balanced system -- it is only the balanced system that will bring in fresh air while exhausting air from in the home. The balanced system uses energy contained in the outgoing air to condition the incoming air.

Biofuels and Pellets

• Biofuels are a biodegradable, nontoxic and renewable source of energy made from vegetable and animal fats, wood or oil. To heat the home, a blend of 20 to 90 percent biodiesel may be used in place of oil heat without any furnace adjustments. Wood stoves are another heating option, and a more modern version of the stove uses pellets. Pellets are made from compressed sawdust. and because they burn with so few emissions, they are not required to get certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to Tree Hugger.