Archives: 2009 August

More homeowners are wanting to go green to protect the environment, and are looking for more ways to create energy efficient homes. Making an alternative energy decision can be a wise move for home owners for multiple reasons. Improvements, such as a wind powered generator, help since this helps with electricity costs and aids our environment. With the new advances in energy as a renewable resource, it is easier than ever for homeowners to build and install their own wind – powered generator.

Why would you want to consider wind source energy for your home? There are multiple advantages with a wind-powered generator in addition to powering the lights in a home. First, it is a natural replenished source of energy. This means that it’s renewable, and it is good for the environment. It will create less gasses in the greenhouse than comparable conventional source. As an added bonus, the potential wind power produced equals at least five times the total energy consumption of the planet right now.

Another reason for picking a wind powered energy source is cost. The maintenance is low, and wind turbines for residential use are not only practical, but fairly inexpensive. The main cost is the building and installation, since maintenance is nearly nothing. This makes the cost of operating nearly free for residential use. This is one of the main reasons for a home wind powered generator.

Wind powered systems can normally not be the only source of power, since wind patterns are unstable as well as unpredictable. This concern is only minimal, since turbine owners will have a power grid connection in addition to the wind turbine.

An area that has adequate wind can simply have a wind-based energy system that enhances the energy provided by the local utility company. A residential wind turbine is a great alternative source in meeting energy requirements. It is often configured in combination with a photovoltaic system, as most of the parts required for wind power generation are also needed for solar power. Once ensconced on top of a tower, a wind turbine accumulates kinetic energy from the wind and transfers it to electricity attuned with a home’s electrical system.

Most homes which use residential wind power also draw electricity from their local utility company as well. If wind speeds are below the turbine’s cut in speed (typically 7-10 mph), then the turbine will produce no power and all of the home’s energy needs will be met by the utility company. However, when wind speeds are above the turbine’s cut in speed, then the turbine generates power, lessening the amount drawn from the power grid. Any electricity produced which is above and beyond that needed for the home may be sold back to the local electricity supplier.

In general, a wind turbine can lower a homeowner’s electric bills by around 50% and up, depending on the exact wind power system and number of turbines used. How much a smaller wind turbine will save exactly all depends on the power usage of the home and the average wind speeds in the area, among other factors.

Wind systems are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area, so if it were a concern, a turbine owner should have at least an average wind speed of 10 miles per hour and be paying at a lesser fee for electricity.

The world is gradually marching closer to a severe energy crisis, due to an ever-growing demand for energy that is outgrowing its supply. We know that the energy we use every day is not unlimited, yet we take it for granted. There is no unlimited supply of gas, oil, or even water. Yet, we have not taken enough measures to deal with a possible energy crisis. This isn’t only the government’s responsibility, but everyone’s.

The Earth’s Energy Crisis : Find Out Now!

Gas and oil have become expensive, and every day these resources move closer to becoming exhausted. There are some misinformed individuals who don’t believe in the energy crisis. They fail to see the big picture. So far we’ve experienced three major energy crises: the 1973 oil crisis, the 1979 energy crisis, and the 1990 oil price hike, not to mention the many regional crises.

Prices have been steadily increasing for the last several years, due to the ever-increasing demand and the continuing shortage of energy resources.

How soon will it be all gone? Are the cynics right when they say we are exaggerating the facts, or is the energy crisis a real concern? Well, think about this: Fifty percent of the world’s oil has been depleted. If the present rate of consumption continues, our oil will be gone in 32 years. What if it didn’t just continue at the same rate, but actually increased? And it’s likely to do so. So, even the present generation will face a serious energy crisis in the later years, let alone future generations.