How much maintenance is required?
Is Wind Power right for me?/Who should consider purchasing a turbine?
"Residential
wind turbines have been installed in at least 47 of the 50 states, but
the majority of the units have been installed in the Northeast and the
Midwest."- AWEA
Four factors to consider for using wind as an energy source for your house.
-
your property should be at least 1/2 acre in size. The ideal location
for a wind turbine is 20 feet above any surrounding object within a 250
ft radius.
- wind is what fuels your turbine. Average wind speeds should be at least 9mph at your location. To check this you can look at wind mapsto get an idea of the wind resource at your home. Other ways to
determine the average wind speed at your home, contact the closest
weather station, TV or radio station. You can use the Griggs-Putnam Energy Index if you have trees in your area, this looks at a tree and how the wind changes its shape.
- Next
determine whether you have local laws- City, County or a Home Owner's
Association that prohibits the use of towers. Read over your home
owner's guidelines relating to towers or tall structures. You can also
contact your local Planning and Zoning authority and ask about the use
of towers and tall structures. Remember the tower must be 20 feet
above any surrounding object, if not, then performance will be lower.
- -
Call them and ask them what their policy is for connecting a renewable
energy system to the electrical grid. Many states offer different types
of tax incentives and rebates for a wind system.
- -
Call them and ask them what their policy is for connecting a renewable
energy system to the electrical grid. Many states offer different types
of tax incentives and rebatesfor a wind system.
How loud is the Sky Stream 3.7?
- 60 decibels, about as loud as a dishwasher.
Will a wind turbine save on my electrical bill?
- According
to the American Wind Energy Association a "wind turbine typically
lowers your electricity bill by 50-90 percent. It is not uncommon for
wind turbine owners with total-electric home to have monthly utility
bill of only $8-$15 for nine months of the year. The amount of money a
small wind turbine saves you in the long run will depend upon its cost,
the amount of electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site,
and other factors."
How long for the system to pay for itself?
- Depending on how much you are powering, the average year round wind speed the time for the Sky Stream 3.7 to pay for itself is about 5-7 years.
- Check out our 'GO GREEN' section
- A
wind turbine is a good investment becuse a well sited wind system
increases property value, similar to any other home improvement. Many
people buy wind systems in preparation for their retirement because
they don't want to be subject to unpredictable increases in utility
rates. "- AWEA
Will installing a wind turbine at my home help the environment?
- Yes.
Wind turbines can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and
200 tons of greenhouse gases. Turbines do not produce pollution and by
using wind power you will be offsetting pollution that would have been
generated by the utility company.
Do wind turbines interfere with TV reception?
How Much does a wind turbine cost?
- Cost is dependent on size, application and service agreements.
How much maintenance is required?
- Most
small wind turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any
regular maintenance. They are designed for a long life (up to 20 years)
and operate completely automatically.
