Micro CHP systems: The cost savings

Micro CHP systems are currently used mostly in the United Kingdom and Europe. There it is a popular and growing technology, viewed as a way to meet progressive government objectives in Europe. That said, it is likely that Micro CHP systems will become more popular in the US in the very near future because of their many benefits.

CHP (combined heat and power) is an efficient and cost effective technology for generating electricity and heat simultaneously. This process is also referred to as "cogeneration". Micro CHP systems can use a variety of energy generation technologies such as fuel cells, stirling engines, or conventional means like gas and oil. Simply put, the heat generated in the process of creating electricity, which is wasted by conventional systems, is recovered in a manner than allows it to be used to heat the home with micro chp.

Micro CHP systems are very simple to install and take up approximately the same footprint as a conventional boiler or furnace. A micro CHP system can be as much as 90% energy efficient and those who use domestic CHP report having a dramatically lower energy bill. In addition, in this age of Global Warming, micro CHP reduces the carbon "footprint" of homes that use it which reduces their carbon dioxide emissions significantly.

One of the more exciting aspects of micro chp systems is their potential to allow home or business owners to actually sell the excess electricity produced when heating the home back to the electrical company for profit - this is often called "on the grid" or "on grid" micro CHP.

Recent predictions suggest that the use of "combined heat and power" (Micro CHP) on a very large scale by utilities could be a multi-billion dollar industry across the world in just a few years. You can tap into this exciting new technology yourself for your own home in order to save money on your utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint.