Purchasing a Residential Wind Turbine

Make sure that your local building codes allow the installation of wind turbines. Check the wind available in your area by consulting windpoweringamerica.gov for maps of wind velocity, making sure your area has average annual wind speeds of 6.5 meters per second at 80 meters height (about 15 mph at 250 feet) or higher.

Estimate the output of different sizes of wind turbines on your site from the formula AEO = 0.01328 x D squared x V squared where AEO is the average energy output in kilowatt-hours per year, D is the diameter of the turbine rotor in feet and V is the average wind velocity in mph.

Check your annual power consumption and how much you pay for your power. Compare the consumption and cost to the cost of different wind turbine sizes at different power levels. Choose the size of wind turbine that makes the most sense for your situation, taking into consideration the cost of the turbine, the amount of power it will replace and the amount of money you will save.

Choose a site on your property that is free of obstructions at the height at which you will install your turbine. Check the conditions under which your electric utility allows you to connect a wind turbine to the grid, and get a system that satisfies those conditions. Make sure the system includes the turbine, a generator, wiring and an inverter.

Get a tower high enough to clear obstructions, and one that you will be able to raise and lower for turbine maintenance and repair. Install the concrete tower foundation, the turbine, the wiring, the inverter and raise the tower according to the manufacturers' instructions, or have a professional complete the turbine installation for you. Track your power use and the power generation of the wind turbine to verify the wind turbine's performance.