Archive for the ‘Residential Windmills’ Category
Residential Wind Turbines – Don’t Live to Close
July 30th, 2010 | 
Author: The green power that comes from wind turbines is wonderful as long as you don’t live to close to a wind farm.
A pediatrician named Dr. Nina Pierpont has written a book on the medical problems people have had that live very close to wind turbine farms, Wind Turbine Syndrome “likely to become an industrial plague”
According the CTV.ca News Staff
“Some early findings suggest that wind turbines create a high intensity, low frequency sound that may have an effect on the body. Not only can the sound potentially cause debilitating illness. Some researchers believe that the vibrations the sound causes in the inner ear may lead to vibro-acoustic disease, which can cause dizziness, nausea and sleep disturbances.”
This does not appear to be a problem for all people that live close to residential wind turbines and many of there wind farms are a distance form communities.
It is still a good idea to keep in mind when wind farms are coming to your neighborhood, or when looking at property in an area with residential wind turbines near by.
Here is the link to the full story to help you decide for yourself if you want to live close to residential wind turbines.
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The Good And Bad In Windmills For Your Home.
It is exciting to know there is an alternate source of energy that can be used to meet your needs. When considering an alternate energy source such as windmill power, there are several things to consider. Stay open minded, and then decide what’s best for you.
The first thing that might be an appeal of a windmill is lower utility bills. Some wind turbines are designed to harness the kinetic energy in the wind and convert it to electricity. However, small wind turbines may not have batteries and the amount of power generated relies completely on the wind. The point being that if wind is blowing at least seven to ten miles per hour, the wind will serve as the alternate energy source. If not, the wind turbine will have no output and the electricity needed for the home will be purchased through the utility company. In a normal residence, a home is provided power by a local utility company if the wind is weak or non-existent, and by the wind when conditions are better.
On the other hand, if the wind turbine produces more power than the house needs, the extra electricity in some cases is sold to the utility company, or there’s at least a reduction in the home’s utility costs. This can be a nice little bonus that could help pay for the windmill that much faster.
The effects of power production from coal or natural gas generation on the environment might be another consideration for the consumer. Household wind turbines create no pollution when generating electricity. In order to provide electrical services to one home, the utility company generates approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants which ultimately go into our atmosphere.
Consumers must consider the location of the windmill as well. Obstacles such as buildings, trees, or anything else that could prevent wind getting to the turbine would definitely be a disadvantage, making the cost of the wind turbine harder to justify. However, some companies provide towers high enough to place the wind turbine blades above turbulence and obstacles so you can enjoy alternative energy with much more efficiency and reliability.
Of course, the final consideration is the cost of buying and installing a small wind turbine for the home. Figuring out f it will be an investment and basically pay for itself over time, or end up being a money pit because of things like the possibility of no wind, constant maintenance and upkeep, as well as restrictions, laws, or guidelines about where the windmill can be located and its size, height, etc. This could be a big knock against the idea of purchasing a wind turbine.
It would definitely be in your best interest when considering the purchase of a small windmill for the home to check with manufacturers or companies that sell windmills, and learn as much about them as possible. Understanding the concepts of wind turbines can only benefit you in your decision about whether or not to get a wind turbine. Whether you opt for a windmill as an alternative energy source, or look elsewhere, knowing what they can do, and familiarizing yourself with them makes this decision a whole lot easier.
Plans For Building a Windmill.
Building a windmill does not have to be difficult. All you really need are a shop, basic power and hand tools, and of course dedication to actually get the job done. A machine in the eight to eleven foot range can be built pretty easily, and you could have it up and running in a week or two.
If you want to take a shot at building your own wind turbine, be sure to be safe and legal. Remember to make sure you are located where a windmill can be placed. Above all, find out about the zoning laws in your area. Any restrictions that might be enforced, and what you have to do in order to have a windmill where you are located should be considered. It would be a shame to get the machine up and running just to have to remove it because you didn’t familiarize yourself with the restrictions. Do this first, before you even make your plans for the model. Go over your plans long before you build a windmill.
Before beginning, give yourself a plan. Have an idea of what you want to accomplish. Starting with drawings or a small model of your windmill are a good idea. They don’t have to be complex. As an example, think about what and how you would need to build the tower. It should be high enough for good wind strength, but heavy or grounded securely so it won’t fall over. Think about looking at some manufactured designs and see how they are put together.
Of course, the materials you use depend on what you want the windmill to do, the normal weather conditions in your area, and your budget. Find out what works in windy situations, and what doesn’t. Some people have even used scrapped car parts. Special skills might help too, such as welding, if you are working with steel or other metal material, or carving, if you are working with wood. Whatever material you choose should fit the function you want the windmill to perform. Some companies sell windmill kits you can build yourself. The key no matter what material you use is to create a sturdy machine that can withstand the wind.
The blades for the windmill can be made with wood as long as the wood is light weight. You can also use aluminum or even steel, but the steel blades might be too heavy to be practical. The length of the blades depend on the size you want your windmill to be and the height of the tower. Angle the blades like you would see on a typical household fan to collect the most wind, and taper the blades so they are thinner at the end. Three blades work the most efficiently, but you can always experiment with more. Once the windmill is completed, you will need an anchor or shaft to connect the windmill to the tower while allowing the blades to turn to face into the wind. Picture an old time weather vane on a barn to get an idea of how to attach it to the tower.
Once the windmill is completed you can connect the windmill to an alternator or generator. A windmill extracts energy from moving air by slowing the wind down and transferring the energy into a shaft, which turns your alternator or generator to create electricity. Car alternators work great for this function.
Usually power companies or wind turbine dealers have pamphlets or other literature to assist you with designing your windmill. Your windmill can be primitive and simple, yet still be an effective windmill. Have a good understanding of windmill or wind turbine design and function before you build one. It might even be a good idea to experiment first and decide if you actually want to attack the concept of building a full scale windmill. Use your creativity, ingenuity, common sense safety measures, and most importantly, have fun.
Do you have enough wind to use windmill electric power?
Test the wind around your home to find out if windmill power is for you. This handy little tool is called a Handheld Windspeed Meter. The tool is not to expensive at around thirty six dollars. That isn’t much to find out if you can use a windmill to power your home.
Check the windspeed meter out.
Is windmill power legal?
This might seem like a strange question. What could possibly be illegal about a windmill?
Since the 1980 some laws have been enforced regarding height and noise, and many areas are concerned about what windmills and wind turbines will to the scenery. It is very important to check for these laws before you spend the money to install a windmill. These laws can differ widely in deferent states, counties towns, and even neighborhoods. Also don’t forget zoning laws. You might simply use a shorter windmill or a small roof mounted wind turbine. Shop around, some wind turbines are quieter than others.
One place to start your research is the companies that sell wind turbines them selves, and installers. They deal with these laws and restrictions all the time. Of course always double check yourself to ensure that you will not be fined of even have a lawsuit against you.
Federal And Local Regulations For Windmill Power
Several new instructions and guidelines as well as laws or local regulations have been enforced since the early 1980’s. Each state differs in laws and penalties for windmill power. Before you invest time and money in a windmill, find out these important facts.
Although wind turbines have gained a lot of acceptance in the United States, locally you might have ordinances that regulate free standing wind turbines like height or noise restrictions. But these ordinances aren’t extensive to the point of making it impossible to own a wind turbine. Some consumers read more into the regulations and guideline laws than they need to. Taken in the right perspective, a homeowner can have a wind turbine and still abide by these laws, in most cases.
Almost every state has restrictions, including a law that wind turbine fields cannot be built where birds are migrating. The state with the most conflict on building and raising windmills is California. There have been a few documented cases of lawsuits over windmills and their existence in different counties. Out of all the arguments made against wind turbines there is one point that is addressed by almost every state: how wind turbines affect the scenery. However, small wind turbines are being installed all over the United States without permits or fees to any government agencies.
Not many people actually build their own windmills anymore. There are so many companies and manufacturers on the market with many machines at reasonable prices that it is hard to justify the time and expense to build a wind turbine yourself. The companies also know most of the specs and guidelines to go by in your area, such as height of the tower, ordinances and installation the proper way. The consideration of this alternate energy resource is becoming even more popular as fuel prices increase. More windmills are expected to be sold or built in the future. Its not a “phase.”
As you can see, the United States is somewhat divided as far as laws and restrictions for small windmills. The biggest restriction consumers usually come up against are zoning laws. Therefore, it is essential for consumers to research their individual location. The Department of Environmental Protection probably knows more about general permits and environment statutes than any other single agency. They can also let you know about general requirements or conditions for windmill installation, as well as taxes that might be incurred.
It seems, as with every legitimate investment, there are rules and laws to abide by. They are designed for our protection as well as for the protection of the environment. However, just like any other law that might concern a consumer, that doesn’t mean we don’t buy anything, or consider the benefits. We simply follow the rules and guidelines. And save energy as well. The long term view of having a modern home wind turbine as an alternate source of energy is worth whatever hoops we have to jump through.
Windmill Power a Good Option
Deciding to use windmill power may be a great way to help you protect the environment, because it doesn’t generate any pollution. You could get a windmill just because you may need to be able to live off-grid. This is helpful if you live in a very rural area and can’t get access to electricity other ways. You also might make some money if you have a windmill that generates more electricity than you use, because you may be able to sell it back to the power company.
Wind energy is a very cheap source of renewable energy and can help you to be independent of the utility companies and their rate hikes. Wind turbines are designed to be very efficient and even neat looking. If you shop around you should be able to find a windmill that will suit your needs.
Making the most of windmill power
Deciding whether or not to get a windmill for your home or farm can seem difficult. Really, though, it is not that hard. You mostly need to decide what you need the windmill for, like pumping water or providing electricity. You then might want to do research to find out what is allowed in the area you live, such as whether you can legally even have a windmill. How windy it is maybe a factor in your decision.
If you can use a windmill, you might then do some library or internet research for types, installation and costs for windmills. You also could try to find out how to sell back excess electricity to the grid works, and how much you make for a given amount sold. Batteries would also be good to research since you can store electricity generated by your windmill. Look around, there is plenty of information out there.
Adding Windmill Power To Your Home.
By adding a wind turbine to your home, you are providing an alternate source of energy. Creating electricity using windmill power can help you reduce what you pay for utilities. Consider being able to live where power lines just won’t go, or having power during a storm. Having a wind turbine would be a real advantage for situations like these. It’s good for the environment, too. Future generations may use nothing but windmills to power their homes. And it could have a great effect on the economy.
Wind energy is one of the lowest priced renewable energy technologies available today. Stand alone systems, or off-grid living has its advantages. If you choose to live or build a home in a remote area where power lines are prohibited or not available, a wind turbine can power your home. Another reason consumers purchase small wind turbines for their home is to be energy independent from the local utility companies. As a part of being independent, or just having that alternate energy source available, these machines are built sleek as well as neat looking. Most have low maintenance. Over time a small wind turbine will pay for itself, an investment well worth the price you paid for it.
Wind turbines are good for the environment simply because they rely totally on the wind. That means no air pollutants or toxic gases are released into the atmosphere.
Another one of the nice things about your wind turbine is that if it is producing more electricity than your home is actually using, most times the local utility company will purchase the extra power from you. Depending on how much power you use, and how much your turbine generates, that can be a decent amount of money. Sometimes consumers buy home wind turbines just to be able to run a generator should their power go out. This can provide quite a bit of peace of mind.
Before purchasing a system, it would be a good idea to find out about any restrictions or obstacles when it comes to installing a windmill power system. For example, some places restrict the height of any structure in residential areas. There might be prohibitions on some types of structures in certain zoned areas.
Approach buying a vertical turbine system like you would in buying a car or a boat. Look over literature from more than the first company you find. Find out how long the warranty lasts on the windmill you intend to purchase. Understand the basics of a small wind system, and even take a look at combining the alternate energy with energy, and its effects. Or if it is going to be the primary source of your home, calculate the power wattage compared to the power consumption you plan on using.
Some states offer tax credits or rebates to home owners with household wind turbines, which offsets the installation or purchase price of the machine. A consumer can check with the local utility company, the utility commission, or a local energy office to find out about these incentives. Or if they are available at your location.
Companies are more than happy to help you purchase a household wind turbine system specifically designed to meet your needs.
Whether or not to add a windmill to your home is a decision only you can make. However, when weighing the advantages and disadvantages, you might find that these lists aren’t the same length. It’s an investment that helps the economy and you might not have as much out of pocket cash going to your nearest utility company.
Windmill Power to pump water
One of the great things about using a windmill for power is that it is a renewable source and one that can be quite effective in taking care of certain aspects of both the home and small or commercial farm.
Home windmill use
Windmill power can provide an excellent alternative for a number of household applications, the main one being as a water pump. A large portion of electricity that is used in a home with well water comes from having to pump that water from the well and into the house.
By using a windmill you can harness nature itself to do the work for you, pulling the water up and filling the tank. You can even set it up to provide the power to run it though a filtration system and into the house. If you live in an area that is low lying and tends to flood this can provide an effective solution to keeping water away from your home. The extra power can also be stored for future use in batteries, or returned to the main power grid and provide a small but additional source of income. A windmill can pay for itself in about five years so the cost is easy to manage.
Small farm windmill use
Windmills are also great for small farm use. They can provide a cost effective solution to providing water to crops and irrigation systems. Just like for home use, windmills can be used to draw water up from underground or provide the power necessary to pump the water from a water source that is near by but not readily usable for the farm. Windmills are also great when used for drainage applications.
You can use the windmill to draw water away from fields and other low-lying areas. Windmills are also excellent for use in reclaiming otherwise unusable land. With this wide variety of applications and functions that windmills can provide at no additional fuel cost, windmill power are an excellent solution for a small farm that needs these services. In addition, the cost of the windmill for small farm use is easy to manage when compared to the cost of having to use electricity or another type of power source in order to provide water or irrigation to the farm. Using a windmill can increase productivity, save crops and increase the amount of available land. Using windmill power for home or farm can provide an excellent way of replacing well pumps and saving on resources.
The wind is a never-ending resource that can be used at any time. The cost is easily managed for either home or small farm use through the savings in equipment and standard electrical power and the ability to transfer excess created energy into the main power grid and receive compensation from the power company.
With these advantages it is easy to see why windmills were popular and are becoming popular for both home water pumps and for watering needs on small farms. If you are looking into ways to be easier on the environment and provide for the needs of your family and lively hood than looking into windmills is one solution to consider.