Posts Tagged ‘wind energy’

Wind power for home use is now one of the leading ways that home owners are creating their own alternative energy. With the economic downturn and more awareness of climate change, home owners are turning to wind turbines for help with their electric bill.

In evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a home wind system, you will need to look at such things as: initial cost of the system, the reaction of your neighbors, the favorability of local zoning laws, and the potential for noise. These things will be offset by your energy savings, lowered carbon footprint, and greater energy independence.

In a typical residential application, the power from the wind turbine is connected to the main electric service wire to the home. Special interconnection equipment will allow powering the home, or sending the excess power generated by the turbine back to the utility grid. Many utilities credit the homeowner’s account for power produced by wind turbines that is fed back to the grid and require that special safety features be installed to assure the safety of line workers during power outages. A wind turbine can also be designed as an “off-grid” type using batteries for storage of excess electricity.

Most of today’s wind turbines have three blades, and are mounted on tall towers between 80 and 120 feet tall. The tips of these blades can reach speeds six times faster than the wind and can generate electricity for home use. At least 47 US states have documented on-site installations that are generating power on residential home sites. Most often this electricity is either being used by the residence or is sold to the utility company when an excess is generated.

Residential rooftop wind turbines are being installed on homes (and businesses) at a faster rate than ever before. But you will need to consider the potential noise of using a rooftop wind turbine. Many people agree that vertical axis turbines are quieter than other models. The placement of these roof top units is key to gain the most favorable winds and efficiency. If you have a pitched roof, try placing the wind turbine in the highest location possible. For flat roofs, it should be placed towards the edge.

An innovative wind turbine that spins in a spherical formation was recently released by a Swedish company, Home Energy. Replacing conventional blades with a modern orb structure, this wonderful piece of engineering makes use of the Venturi principle, where it funnels and intensifies wind within the turbine’s blades. The Energy Ball is designed to channel wind through its six blades and around its motor resulting in an extremely efficient wind turbine able to operate in very low wind speeds.

An efficient wind energy system can lower monthly utility bills by 50-90%. The household will experience immediate savings on their monthly bills because of their upfront energy investment which can be significant. Though some turbines claim to pay for themselves within six years, realistically the return on investment will be closer to 15 years.

To aid in the process of outfitting new homes with alternative energy sources, federal and state governments are offering many tax incentives. In New York, for example, the state government will pay for up to 35% of the cost of a residential wind turbine for a new or existing home.

Determining how long it will take to recoup your costs on a wind power system is only one factor to consider before making the purchase.

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