Pros and Cons of Home Wind Turbines

With people looking to save money around home and the increased awareness of our impact on the environment more and more people are considering the alternative energy option of home wind turbines, or wind mills. While this is a great solution it may not be for everyone and, as with most things it life, it has it's own pros and cons.

Home Wind Turbine Pros

Household wind turbines are a great way to way to save money. Not only will you no longer need to pay for electricity but these generate far more energy than any single household produces. The government has mandated that your local power company buy this excess electricity back from you at a premium rate because it is green energy.

Being that it is, in fact, a green and renewable energy source home wind turbines are also the environmentally conscious avenue for producing electricity. No more using power coming from coal burning plants, of which the majority of the US uses.

Wind turbines are being pushed by our current government so you are able to either write off the initial costs or, if this does not apply to you, receive a $1,500 tax break when you file next year.

Home Wind Turbine Cons

Wind turbines, however, may not be suitable for all homeowners and have their own set of cons as well.

Many areas are not zoned to be approved for a wind turbine on your property, typically you will need to be in a rural or at the very least a light residential area.

Wind turbines have also been shown in studies to be damaging to birds and bats that come in close proximity causing them to die, the exact science behind this is not currently clear at this time.

Constructing or erecting a turbine can also be quite costly initially. However, if you consider it an investment is as practically guaranteed to pay off in the long run but even with a tax break, elimination of your electrical bill, and payment for the excess energy you produce it may take a number of years to recoup the initial cost. This is an especially large sticking point giving the current economic climate.

These massive structures are also somewhat of an eyesore, even larger than a cell phone tower you need to consider whether or not you can stomach it towering above your home or property.

After weighing the pros and cons of having your own wind turbine on your property you should be able to figure out if it whether or not it is a viable option for you. Remember it is environmentally friendly and will save you cash in the long run but you will need to fork over a sizable chunk of change to get started.