Butcher your power bills in 3 weeks or less using home wind power

Join the massive crowds that have gone to wind power, solar and other types of power generation. Save the planet and save your money at the same time.

1. If not done properly, home wind power can be pricy. Done right, the savings are a pure dream. The magic takes place when a simple turbine is placed on a high tower or on a roof. The blades take kinetic energy from the wind, turn it into mechanical energy in a shaft which in turn changes it to electrical energy in a generator. Many places on earth already have residential generators of 1 kw and bigger.

2. It will take a few years to pay for itself but, once up, turbines can have a life of up to 25 years. Grid-connected system owners may be eligible to receive a small tax credit for the electricity they sell back to the utility. Power purchase agreements and system leases may help you take part in the solar future at a fraction of the up-front cost.

3. Energy Ball is really a family of windmills that take advantage of something called microwinds. They have a unique rotor design which encloses the generator itself. Energy Balls currently are sold in sizes of either 1 meter or 2 meters in diameter.

4. Turbines for home owners or small industry come in sizes varying from 1kW to 50 kW outputs. Turbines, like airplanes, utilize the laws of aerodynamics to work. Turbines can be made passively able to better cope with high wind speeds and light electrical loads with, for example, “furling” to point them out of high winds, or using designs such as VAWTs that tend to speed up less due to turbulence.

One drawback of wind systems is that some view them as an eyesore and I suppose they can be. They get real pretty when you get your first check from the power company, though!

5. Power generated from solar panels and home built wind generators has to be stored in deep-cycle battery banks until you need it. Battery banks are typically sized for one to three days of windless operation. You WILL need batteries to store excess power for use when the wind is calm.

6. Electrical shortfall can be bought from your local electrical main. Alternatively, in applications where grid connection is not preferred or possible, the electricity generated from wind power can be fed directly to immersion heaters in the hot water storage tank in the building.

7. Grid-connected wind turbines have their output directly connected to the existing main electricity supply, which means that the energy produced by the turbine will reduce the energy drawn from the grid. You might even be able to sell power to your local utility if you have an over supply. Grid connections can be made in a number of different ways but make sure they are made by a certified electrician. Electricity is a great friend but a merciless foe.

Building your own home wind power system isn’t rocket science. Your greatest assets will be knowledge and inspections to know it is safe and efficient. Read, invest in knowledge and don’t rush. You are building something that will benefit you for decades.

There is evidence out there that birds, bats and other creatures are affected by home wind power generators. I personally believe this to be true so make sure that your install is as far away from their natural habitats as possible. I like the little beasties too.

8. This is not brain surgery but, you can get hurt or operate a system that is inefficient. Spend a little money now to learn from the best. This will allow you to knowledgeably build a system that will efficiently and safely deliver savings to you for years.

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