Electricity bills, like every other expense in our lives, keep going up. Conservation practices in the home, such as turning down the thermostat, turning off unused lights and electrical equipment, using energy-efficient light bulbs and so on, can definitely help lower those costs. But these practices are mostly passive. If you want to take an aggressive, active role in bringing down your electricity bill, a residential windmill or wind turbine may be the answer for you. Local wind speed, placement, type of windmill and cost are all things to take into account when considering this energy option.
Wind Speed
Of course, to get any use from a windmill, you need wind. The U.S. Department of Energy provides useful wind maps that show average wind speeds across the United States. If you live in an area that has fairly consistent wind, you could also use an anemometer to chart wind speeds over a period of time to get an accurate idea of the average wind speed at your location.
Many residential windmills don’t start generating electricity until the wind speed is around 10 mph, but there are low-wind turbines available that start generating electricity at wind speeds as low as 4 mph. So even if you don’t live in constant gale force winds, a windmill may still help bring your electricity bill down.
Windmill Placement
Obviously the windmill can’t sit on the ground, it needs to be up in the wind! And it needs to be placed in an area as free as possible of obstructions from all directions. Trees and buildings blocking the wind can dramatically reduce your windmill's energy output.
Smaller windmills, especially the kind you build yourself, can be mounted on something as simple as a sturdy flagpole. They can also be mounted on a mast attached to the roof of a building.
Larger windmills are mounted on a tower, often requiring guy lines, metal cables that stretch from the top and/or middle of the tower to concrete anchors in the ground. Erecting a tower is no small task, something that most people should consider having done professionally.
Different locations have differing ordinances regarding placement of structures such as windmills and towers, so you should contact your local zoning board or county engineer to learn the requirements and regulations before you build.
The Cost of Residential Wind Power
You have decent wind speeds and a good location. Now you must decide what exact windmill will work best for you. There are a wide variety of residential windmills on the market, ranging in cost from a few hundred dollars for a small do-it-yourself kit, to tens of thousands of dollars for a professionally installed tower-mounted turbine. Initial cost is a huge factor. Calculating your estimated savings over time will give you an idea of how long it will take the windmill to pay for itself. This information can help you decide what type of windmill you should purchase and how much you’re willing to spend.
DSIRE (Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency), “a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency,” is a resource that may provide options for lowering the initial and on-going costs of owning a windmill.
Successful Residential Wind Power Planning and Research
To get the most out of your investment, you must do your homework to determine what wind-power system will work best for you:
- Determine the average wind speed in your area, through wind maps, local weather information sources, or actual testing.
- Make a plan for placement. The type of windmill you purchase will determine your placement needs.
- Calculate the costs, initial and on-going, and balance that against your anticipated savings over time. Research local and federal incentives that may help bring down your initial and operating costs.
If you implement these points carefully, you can be on your way to drastically lower electricity bills and reduced dependency on your electric energy provider.
Steve Ralston - I've been a web developer and programmer for years. Taught for a few years at Kaplan University's Cedar Falls, IA campus. Married with two ...
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