Residential Wind Turbines: Renewable Energy at Home

With all the emphasis on alternative energy sources, residential wind turbines have become a popular choice for many homeowners. Home energy costs are continually on the rise and may not decrease anytime soon. Installing a residential wind turbine system will pay for itself over the years, while saving energy and helping the environment. Local utility companies may offer incentive discounts and rebates to make the decision even more worthwhile for homeowners. Of course, residential wind turbines are not suitable for every home and work best in rural areas where the wind speed is high. Here are a few things to consider if you are interested in this renewable energy source for your home.

Residential wind turbines: Selecting a location

When choosing a location for your residential wind turbine, remember to leave plenty of clearance so it can operate safely and efficiently. The smaller-sized turbines need between 20 and 30 feet of clearance above any obstacles. This generally requires a tower of 80 to 120 feet to clear the height of most houses. Residential wind turbine systems work best in rural areas where the neighboring homes are not too close to the fans. Any structures near the turbine system will block the wind and reduce the amount of energy it can generate.

Residential wind turbines: Newer, more efficient models are available

Today's residential wind turbines have been designed for maximum efficiency. Decades of testing in commercial and governmental settings has led to new airfoil designs that are far more efficient than the residential wind turbines available even a few years ago. Small home wind turbines make very little noise, comparable to household appliances like a dishwasher or washing machine.

Residential wind turbines: Estimated cost

The cost of a residential wind turbine system is generally estimated based on its generating capacity, measured in kilowatts. You will usually spend between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilowatt for a small home wind turbine setup. According to estimates by the Edison Electric Institute, an average family home uses around 11,000 kilowatts per year. This is based on a home size of 2,330 square feet, so adjust your estimate accordingly if your home is larger or smaller than that. The general estimate is that most homes require a residential wind turbine that generates 5-15 kilowatts.

Residential wind turbines: Total savings

The total you will save on energy costs depends on your family's usage, the wind speed in your region, and the market price of purchasing electricity from the local utility company. Most residential wind turbines will return your investment within 15 years. Today's wind turbine systems are very durable and usually will last around 30 years if maintained properly. Many city utility companies offer rebates or discounts for households that install an alternative energy solution such as a residential wind turbine.