Home Windmills

The initial cost of a small wind turbine that will power an average home runs from $40,000 to $50,000, which is a significant investment. Why then do homeowners in 47 states have these windmills installed on towers on their property? For most of them, conventional electrical costs of over ten cents per kilowatt and plans to stay in their home long-term make it likely that they'll more than pay for their windmill. They may very well save money over the monthly cost from their power company.

Although there are drawbacks to home windmills, there are many benefits and the drawbacks can be overcome with some careful planning and research. The most important consideration, as you may imagine, is the average wind speed in your area. If there isn't a steady source of wind, a windmill is not a good investment. Better to opt for solar or geothermal. If there is a steady wind, then the next consideration is probably the tall tower that you have to either erect yourself or have built for the wind turbine.

Some homeowners feel capable of doing this, especially if they purchase kits that allow you to build the tower in sections and then tilt it to put it up. Most, however, elect to hire qualified builders to put up the tower, and perhaps the turbine also. Proper installation will insure that your turbine is facing in the right direction and safely and securely fastened to the tower. At http://www.housingzone.com/probuilder/article/CA6406833.html there are recommendations for installing a home wind generator and links to wind power resources. And for further information, including plans, visit http://www.awea.org/smallwind/.

But before you even unpack the turbine, you should make sure that its site is far enough from your dwelling to eliminate the noise issue. At least 160 feet is recommended. This is the one complaint that crops up again and again from homeowners who installed their unit on their garage roof or their home's roof. Most small wind powered turbines are about as loud as the average clothes washer. If you take that into consideration when you are choosing a site for your generator, you'll save yourself a lot of problems down the road.

Most homeowners opt to have their generator tied into their local utility's line so that they can sell their excess electricity. This can help offset the cost of the generator over the years. And since the power is being generated, why not profit from it rather than wasting it? Other homeowners, including those who live too far away from power lines, forego tying into the power grid and just power their house and outbuildings with their wind powered generator. There are many places all over the world, even in developed countries, where running a line from the nearest pole to a homeowner's dwelling would be cost-prohibitive.

If you're going to sell your excess electricity, it's important that you meet with your power company's representatives and arrange for them to be on site when the generator is connected to the grid. Of course, it's important also that you're aware of and follow all local ordinances. A trip to your town building inspector or the appropriate official is imperative. And because of the height of the tower, home windmill installations are more suited to rural locations where landowners have enough acreage to isolate their unit from neighbors' views.

The last point to consider is maintenance. It's really important to purchase a tower unit that can be laid down by crane in the event that the windmill needs repair or maintenance. Of course, when repairs are made or the unit undergoes maintenance, it's very important that the electricity is disconnected. Industry insiders predict that smaller, more compact wind powered generators will supplant the tall towers and propeller-type windmills, and that probably will happen in the future. As of now though, throughout the world, the tall towers and whirly-bird generators still dot the landscape, powering lights and appliances for satisfied homeowners.