subject: Home Wind Kits - 2 Little-known Locations [print this page] That Work When you are considering home wind kits, the first thing to do is try to understand the energy requirements you have. How much electricity you need to get out of your windmill system will drive your costs and options you have for where you locate it.
So, first understand what your goals are for power generation. There are a number of things you can do with the electricity you make:
* Power a small device like a pump
* Power for your whole house
* Export power to the electricity grid
* Charge a battery
The last item, battery charging is a very easy way to get started in the wind-gen business. Things get a lot more complicated when you have to interconnect the windmill with your house or your utility's electricity grid.
Then, you need to understand the wind resources on your property. This is critical because the wind has dramatically different strengths at different locations and altitudes.
Above the height of obstacles the wind is a lot stronger and more consistent. However, that may or may not be a viable option for you, especially if you live in an urban setting.
However, most properties do offer at least a few locations for installing home wind kits - either on the roof or on a tower. The objective in any case is to understand where your wind is and select your wind turbine to fit it.
This will lead you to what kind of wind turbine you need and where on your property to locate it. There are two basic types - Horizontal-axis and Vertical-axis.
2 Little known locations you can install your horizontal or vertical turbine are:
1. Apex of the roof along the roof line
2. On your chimney
Locating your turbine at the peak point on your roof will allow you take full advantage of Roof Effect. That is the aerodynamic phenomenon where wind compresses and accelerates along the contour of the roof. Even though this is generally true, it is still wise to verify exactly where your turbine should be located by using an anemometer.
The chimney is also an often overlooked place to mount your turbine. Placing it there puts the turbine higher up in the atmosphere where the wind is stronger and more consistent.
In conclusion, with home wind kits you have a number of options of where to locate it. 2 great places that most people don't give proper credit are the roof apex and the chimney.
