subject: Home Wind Turbines [print this page] Among the green energy field one of the most talked about categories is home wind turbines. Wind turbines are cheaper alternatives to solar power with pros and cons of their own to consider. However states across the country with high wind areas are building them to offset their power consumption and costs. While still not able to contribute a large amount of energy they are nonetheless effective in the residential and commercial worlds.
Home wind turbines are smaller versions of their industrial counterparts and are meant to power homes and small office buildings. If you have a large enough back yard you can install one behind your home but it's important to remember to give them plenty of room. Wind turbines are dangerous to be around when operating so it's best to fence them in or at the very least keep a really good eye on your kids when they go out to play.
Most major cities that use turbines use massive fields of them to generate as much energy as possible. Small businesses and homes only need one or two of the machines to power their needs. They have an advantage over solar power in that they work during the night but they do have trouble with low wind conditions. Regardless batteries are recommended for energy storage whether you use wind or solar energy.
The price of home wind turbines is falling steadily as there have been many advancements in the technology used for the systems. These advancements have resulted in wind turbines that can produce much more power with less effort than previous generations. There is hope that continued research into the field will result in models that can produce enough power for entire cities.
Until then home wind turbines will be seen most often in backyards and near small businesses. Despite being green energy producers wind turbines are extremely low maintenance. You still need to check on them from time to time or have someone who is qualified check on them to make sure that they are still operating properly. There are more moving parts inside one of these turbines compared to a solar panel which has none.
This means that occasionally parts may need to be re-greased or replaced as they wear out. However the service life on these parts is so long that it may be your children or grandchildren that will be doing the repairs. One disadvantage wind power has over solar power is the effort needed for the installation of the equipment.
Solar panels are installed on your roof and therefore only require a strong ladder or some light lifting equipment. Turbines need to be delivered by truck or flatbed and then require you build a foundation before installing the actual generator. After all this is a structure with a giant propeller on it so it requires a firm base. Failure to do this properly can result in serious consequences at later dates.
Home wind turbines are easily available and much cheaper when compared to fully outfitting a building with solar panels. They are clean, quiet, require minimal interaction, and can generate plenty of energy for your home or office. Wind turbines do require a bit of extra caution however as their design still includes a giant spinning fan blade. However they are very safe to use when proper caution is exercised and are a very viable form of green energy.
