Thursday, September 9, 2010

Good Idea to use Wind Energy in your Home?

December 12, 2009 by electricity  
Filed under Wind Energy Information

So you are constantly battling the wind every time you leave home. One day while you are trying to gather your papers that have been scattered by the wind, you get the idea that you can harness this wind for better uses. But is it a good idea to use this wind energy for your home? First of all, you met one criterion that is that you have a good steady source of wind around your home. If you are not sure if the wind speeds are enough to support this technology, check out the Department of Energy’s Wind Resource Map. The next thing you need to consider is the amount of land you have to put up a windmill. Generally, you should have at least 1 acre of land to adequately house a windmill, unless special provisions are provided (such as small turbines on small towers).

Next, and probably most importantly is whether or not it is economically viable to incorporate wind energy. That answer will vary by location, depending on average wind speed, energy consumption, and average energy costs. But as a rule of thumb the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recommends that you have at least a 10 mph average wind speed and that the average cost of electricity in your area is greater than 10 cents per kWh. Since you will need to put the wind turbine on a tower, it is best that you are in a more rural environment. Some suburban areas may be suitable, depending on population density, homeowner rules, and the like.

If all of these conditions are met, then wind energy is a very good option for you. Most homeowners recover their investment in 6 to 15 years, depending on the above factors. For more information on Wind Energy Solutions including Wind Turbine Providers, check out the AWEA Website.

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