Green Technology That is Affordable

Investing in affordable green and sustainable technology isn’t just a moral imperative today, but an investment opportunity that can have significant returns for investors.

Green Technology: An Overview

Green technology provides new ways of coping with the effects of climate change and global warming. These technologies are designated as green because they don’t pollute the environment by releasing greenhouse gas into the atmosphere or producing other forms of toxic waste. They advocate for the sustainable use of available natural resources and clean energy, as well as discourage the use of fossil fuels for energy production.

The use of solar energy is an affordable green technology that is renewable and widely used across the globe. The U.S. government has invested heavily in solar infrastructure and policies allowing businesses and individuals to ship advanced solar panels from China cost-effectively.

Unlike before, there are hundreds of green energy equipment that you can purchase for use at home or on business premises. One of the highlights of purchasing such green equipment is that they are affordable and energy efficient.

Is Green Tech Affordable?

However, one of the questions that most people ask is, is green technology affordable? The cost of replacing the current electrical connections to support solar panels and other green technologies hinders most people and businesses from embracing this technology.

International organizations and governments are aware of the high cost of adopting clean technology, especially in developing countries. In the just concluded Cop26 summit, world leaders agreed to work together to reduce the cost of clean energy.

The leaders agreed that electric vehicles and green energy have the potential to solve some of the adverse effects of climate change. Economies of scale will significantly impact the cost of products developed through green technologies. The cost will drop as production and demand for green tech-powered equipment increases.

For instance, the cost of LED light bulbs and solar panels have significantly dropped over the last decade as more people embraced clean technology. During the Cop26 summit, more than 40 countries agreed to implement policies to spearhead the fast adoption of green technologies. Examples of countries that agreed to sign the agreement, dubbed Breakthrough Agenda, are the U.S., India, the EU, U.K.U.K., Australia, and China.

The five facets of green technology listed in the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda include;

• Green steel
• Clean electricity
• Electric vehicles
• Sustainable farming

“By making clean technology the most affordable, accessible, and attractive choice, the default go-to in what are currently the most polluting sectors, we can cut emissions right around the world…” said Boris Johnson, prime minister of the UK.

Let’s now dive in and look at affordable green technologies that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Smart Thermostats

With the cost of electricity at an all-time high, it’s imperative to invest in home appliances that reduce energy consumption at home and on business premises. A smart thermostat is one device that will come in handy in your quest to save the planet and reduce electric bills.

Unlike traditional thermostats, smart thermostats are programmable. That is, you can set it to automatically switch off heating appliances at a particular time of the day or when the temperature reaches a certain level.

The modern ones, such as The Nest thermostat, can learn your behavior and environment and adjust the settings automatically. Despite being sophisticated, smart thermostats are easy to install and durable. It’s recommended that you hire a professional electrician to install it for you to get the best results.

Solar Lanterns

Lanterns are known to create an ambiance that is unequal to no other when installed outdoors or indoors. In the past, solar-powered lanterns were a luxury that only a few people could afford due to the high price tag.

Modern solar panels are inexpensive, more flexible, and energy efficient. The improvements have lowered the prices, thus making solar lanterns more affordable and accessible. You can purchase one online, and no prior experience is required to install it.

One of the most widely used solar lanterns is the d.light S2 learning lantern. Its compact design makes it highly portable, and the battery can brighten up spaces for up to four hours with a single charge.

However, this is just one example of the many solar lanterns on the market. There are many options available, so take time to compare and contrast the features and prices to find one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Electricity Saving Devices

Thanks to advancements in technology, there are many green gadgets that you can purchase and install to save energy. As more people become conscious of their energy usage and its impact on the environment, AC/DC power adaptors have swiftly become increasingly popular. Not only do they provide economic savings but can help to preserve our planet’s natural resources for future generations.

Green Plug, a voltage reducer, is one device you can buy to make your home green by reducing energy consumption. It’s designed to detect the electronics plugged into a power outlet and distribute energy accordingly. It shuts down ports connected to devices that are not in use, thus preventing energy wastage.

If your budget permits, go the extra mile to replace conventional lamps with solar-powered lamps. Protect your electronics from damage due to a power surge by buying an advanced power strip with an in-built surge protector.

Solar Windows

Solar windows are still young, although already being sold commercially. They can revolutionize how we use solar power to convert sunlight, and trap heat while using and producing solar energy. The windows comprise a transparent liquid and photovoltaic cells that absorb direct sunlight and generate solar energy.

Though expensive to install, experts are of the idea that they can generate clean energy for a fraction of the cost of installing solar panels on the roof or outdoors. Solar windows will also increase the resale value of homes and attract buyers who are conscious about the environment.

Low Flow Showerheads

Replacing the current showerhead with a low-flow showerhead will significantly reduce energy and water costs. It’s estimated that showers use up 17% of residential indoor water use. In the U.S., an average family uses approximately 40 gallons of water daily.

On average, conventional showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, while low-flow showerheads use less than 2 gallons per minute. Installing the latter will save the average family 2,900 gallons of water and more than 370 kilowatt hours annually.

Final Thoughts

Full adoption of the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda will promote the cost-effective production of solar and wind power across the globe. It will also make energy technologies more affordable and accessible to businesses and individual investors in developed and developing countries.

We don’t need thousands of dollars to join the green movement. We can start being more conscientious of our global temperatures, and greenhouse gas emissions, look towards electric cars, and learn how to generate electricity in a cleaner more affordable environment.

Let’s all take a part in fighting greenhouse gasses and use our purchasing power for the above energy-saving devices and equipment. Be sure to purchase them from an accredited store to get value for money. Whether you’re an impact investor looking to reduce carbon footprints, or a sustainability investor focused on protecting our environment from climate change – affordable green technology plays an important role.