Residential Wind Turbine: Cost and Effectiveness

Costs

• Energy consumption is measured in kilowatts. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. A kilowatt hour (kwh) is the amount of electricity consumed in one hour at the rate of 1 kilowatt. The average U.S. home uses about 8,900 kwh annually. That’s about 742 kwh per month. The cut-in speed is the wind speed needed to start turning the blades. You can buy a turbine with a cut-in speed of 7 mph that delivers 38 kwh a month for as little as $750, as of 2011. A model with a 7 1/2 mph cut-in speed that delivers 538 kwh a month will cost $8,500 or more. If you have to buy and install a tower that adds to your cost. All numbers relating to power delivered by a wind turbine are approximate. If you have weak, fitful wind, a turbine will generate less electricity. Strong, steady wind will yield more power. Wind turbines are mechanical, not digital. They wear out and need periodic maintenance plus turbines mounted on towers are more expensive to repair. If you buy a small wine turbine for your home, you qualify for a 30 percent federal income tax credit for the cost. In addition many states have energy credit and rebate programs to encourage green energy.

Wind Basics

• The first step in evaluating the potential of a wind generator is to calculate the speed and duration of the wind where you live. Winds blow stronger off the ground, so the higher a wind turbine is mounted, the more power it will generate. Trees and buildings block or weaken wind. The more obstacles there are, the more difficult it is for wind to recover its speed. Wind speeds generally decrease near the center of urban areas. If your wind is fitful, the cut-in speed will often begin turning the blades only to have them stall. Blades that are not turning do not deliver electricity.

Best Locations

• A hill without trees is ideal. Winds coming off lakes and oceans, blowing through gorges and some desert winds can keep turbine winds moving steadily. If you live in a rural area with good wind, a turbine is most apt to compete with electricity from a commercial grid. Rates of commercial electricity vary. If you live in an area with expensive electricity, the savings of a wind turbine increase.

Other Concerns

• To reach the wind in the city, you would likely have to put your turbine on a tower, which might violate building codes. Wind turbines are noisy -- they can be an annoyance to neighbors. Most cities have decibel limits. If you live in the country, you can put the turbine some distance from your home and avoid the racket of spinning blades.