What You Should Know When Using A Home Wind Turbine
You got it right when you thought that a home wind turbine could effectively lower your monthly bills and help you lead a more environmentally ethical lifestyle. But another thing you should know, is that sometimes a wind turbine may not be suitable for your home’s needs.
What You Need for a Home Wind Turbine to Work
- Wind speed of a minimum of 10 miles per hour
- No obstructions (man-made or natural) within 300 feet of your home
There are, however, ways of getting around these. First, there are newer models that are capable of generating electricity with wind speed as low as 5 miles per hour. The majority of these models, however, come with a vertical axis design.
If there are too many physical obstacles in your area, one way of getting around this is to look for a spot that’s thirty feet above the tallest obstacle or obstruction in the vicinity. This way, you’ll still be able to maximize the use of winds in your area.
Blade Rotation
Many homeowners are particularly concerned with the blades of wind turbines and how they could lead to all sorts of accidents during rain or wind storms. Granted, a fast-rotating rotor that’s suddenly dislodged from your roof is a very dangerous thing to have flying outside your house during a rainstorm. You should be pleased to know, however, that turbines generally shut down automatically if they come into contact with excessive wind speeds.
How Long Will a Home Wind Turbine Last?
This of course depends on various factors:
Date of Manufacture
The latest models, thanks to advanced technology, can last twenty to twenty-five years or about 120,000 hours of use. An older residential wind turbine model is unlikely to last as long because of less effective engineering design and poorer quality of materials.
Maintenance
The amount of care you give to your home wind turbine will definitely have an impact on its lifespan. Daily, or at least weekly, inspection are a must. All moving components will have to be replaced from time to time. But don’t worry; replacing them won’t cost too much money. In fact, on-time replacements can help you save money since it will prevent costly major repairs in the future.
How a Home Wind Turbine Helps the Environment
- Less noise pollution
- Reduces carbon emission
- Uses recyclable materials
But not everything’s rosy on the environmental front. There have been several reports about an increase in deaths of avian species when birds accidentally fly into the rotating blades of wind turbines. Fortunately this is usually not a common occurrence and hopefully something that will not affect your system.
Always Ask for Permission
You need to obtain the proper permits before having a wind turbine installed for your home. If you wish to enjoy tax credits and rebates, you’ll also have to make sure that you purchase your home wind turbine from a reputable supplier and have it installed by a qualified professional.
