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Wind Generator

Could you use a wind generator?

Winds have been harnessed by humans, and turned into power, for thousands of years.  Since it is a pretty well accepted fact, the winds will continue you blow for thousands of years to come, is it time you took a closer look? Wind power, thanks to new technology, is becoming an important aspect in renewable energy and earth sustainability.  With the current state and federal incentives for alternative energy sources, sources of wind power are getting looked at in new ways.  With this upsurge in usage, their arise many questions with regards to it's use, some of those questions to be addressed on this page.

How can wind power benefit you?  Wind is a proven, energy efficient and cost effective source of power, with absolutely zero emissions.  Anytime you can produce your own power you are reducing the negative impacts of burning fossil fuels.  Another very important benefit is in money savings.  Alternative energy really can save money and wind generators are no different, once the system is paid for the power generated is free.

How do you find a high quality generator?  For starters, do your research, talk to several different local experts, as well as owners, of wind generators.  The same winds, the power you are trying to harvest, can also tear apart a poorly designed system.  Home Power Magazine has recently published an article, rating their top picks of wind turbines.  This would be an excellent place to start your research.

How tall will your tower need to be?  Wind turbines need to be high enough to be out of the turbulence zone caused by such factors as nearby buildings and trees.  A general rule of thumb to consider is the bottom tip of a rotor must be 20' above everything within a 500' area.  Poor performance can be expected from a system installed at a lower level.  Improperly positioned systems could also experience increased maintenance and de-creased lifespan.  Local ordinances might have stipulations about wind generator height, these should be discussed with your dealer or contractor.

Will you save money?  How would you like to lower your electric bill by 50-90 percent?  Depending on your system, and the amount of wind in your area, this is very possible with a wind generator.  Your actual savings will be determined by the cost of your system and your average electric bill.  When considering costs, don't forget to take advantage of all the alternative energy incentives available.  An average wind generator installation will be paid for, with energy savings, in 5 to 15 years.  After the system has paid for itself you can expect many years of free electricity.  That can add up to a large savings, more than enough to make it worth looking into.

Will the noise bother you?  There is some noise associated with wind power, but not that much.  It has been compared to the normal outdoor noises a typical neighborhood would have.  In more technical terms the sound pressure generated by wind turbines is between 40 and 65 decibels.  This is actually less noise than the average background noise of a normal home or office.

How much power can you expect to produce?  An average home will use between 700-900 kWh per month.  This typical usage would require a wind generator capable of producing 3-5 kWh.  This size of system would require that you have at least half an acre of land to allow for proper installation.

Don't overlook wind power as you investigate the ways to use all this government incentive money available.  Lower your electric bills and lesson your carbon footprint, that's what renewable, sustainable, energy is all about.  Discover what the buzz is all about and do your part to conserve energy.

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