As the cost of more traditional fuel supplies continue to rise, more and more people are turning to alternative energy sources to power their homes. Unfortunately, many home use alternative power supplies have in the past been unworkable. Solar panels can be fantastic, but they depend on your home getting enough sunlight to function.
However, recent developments in biogas generators have changed all that.
They are quickly becoming the number one choice for those looking to gain independence from the power companies that we have all become so reliant on.
So what exactly is biogas?
Put simply, biogas is the name given to the gases that are produced when organic matter such as food waste or manure are broken down in the absence of oxygen.
The resulting gases are primarily made up of methane and carbon dioxide, and can be used in a similar fashion to natural gas.
However, unlike natural gas, biogas can be generated in individual biogas generators, making it perfectly suitable for home use. The amount of biogas that can be generated is directly related the amount of organic matter which is supplied and the size of the generator.
As a renewable energy source, and because it can be sourced through sewage, food waste, plant waste or pretty much any kind of organic matter.
Unlike wind or solar energy, users are not reliant on the natural elements, but simply on the amount of matter they supply to the generator. This allows users to anticipate and plan for exactly how much energy they will produce.
How does it work?
The process is rather simple, and it has been around for centuries. The generator, or digester as it sometimes called, houses a large tank. Organic matter (food waste, plant matter, livestock manure etc.) is loaded in to the tank.
Active bacteria in the tank break down the matter, creating biogas. This biogas is then channelled out of the generator through piping and, in most cases, directly to your home’s main supply.
In this way, the biogas becomes the primary source of gas used by your household appliances.
Who uses them?
The simple answer is anyone who has the space to house one.
Biogas generators vary in size, but they are essentially a large tank. For that reason, you must have a permanent location where you can house your generator. Those with a small back garden will only be able to avail of a more moderately sized generator, while those with spacious land areas can build far more substantial generators.
Some people even choose to build several generators, depending on how much space they have and how much waste they will have to use. Literally any home that can house a generator can use one to substantially reduce their energy costs.
How do you get one?
If a biogas generator sounds like something that could save you money on your energy costs while being kinder to the environment, how do you go about buying one?
This is where one of the biggest selling points of biogas generators comes in. Unlike other forms of renewable energy, it can be set up for a minimal cost.
Why? Because rather than go out and spend thousands on expensive equipment, you can simply buy the blueprints for a generator and build it yourself with readily available equipment!
Many of these generators are self-built, allowing users to save on expensive instillation costs.
However, it’s important to follow an approved and recommended set of instructions when starting out to build one.
We recommend the Liberty Generator Blueprints. These are a set of video blueprints that include detailed step by step instructions and numerous color photos that will guide you on your way.
What is of particular interest here is the additional guidance offered by the blueprints. Not only does it include a detailed yet simple set of instructions, the guide also offer advice on where to locate your generator, and how to tweak it so that you’re getting the very best efficiency out of your device.
Depending on size and usage, it is possible to almost entirely eliminate your power supply costs. Of all the guides to building your own biogas generators that we’ve come across, we cannot recommend the Liberty Generator highly enough.
How long will it take you to build your own generator?
That depends entirely on how big a generator you want to install! Small, simple generators can be built with everyday items in a matter of hours. Larger generators will require more manpower, but the work involved is still no more than a solid day’s work.