Small Wind Turbines and Counting the Benefits

Small wind turbines; what do you need to take into consideration?

So you have been thinking about small wind turbines for your home, you’ve heard all of the positive reviews and you fancy benefiting from some of the things which they can offer the average household. What’s your next step? Can anyone have a small wind turbine on their property? Are there regulations to take into consideration? These questions and more, occur to most people who might be thinking of ways to reduce their carbon footprint and save cash at the same time. So what do you need to consider before you go shopping?

Where do small wind turbines work best?

Before answering this question it is as well to look at the area in which you live. If you are in a built up or urban area, then you need to find out how much wind your property has access to. A wind speed check will help you to decide if small wind turbines are right for you; you will need to have access to regular wind speeds of 5m/s and no less. Another consideration is landscape anomalies which could cause your turbine to function at less than optimum capacity. Things which may interfere with small wind turbines and their performance include large buildings, trees or larger hills. If you have any larger trees on or near your property, find out if you can site your turbine as far away a possible. Hills and other buildings are not easily moved but a mast mounted turbine may enable you to counter the obstacle and access the wind more freely.

Do households need permission to install small wind turbines?

Some homes may be subject to protection orders due to great age or architectural interest, some neighbourhoods may have strict regulations about structures which change or alter the view or skyline and in this instance you should speak to your local authority in order to find out under what circumstances small wind turbines may be allowed.

Can small wind turbines actually save me money?

This is perhaps the most common concern among people who may be considering small wind turbines for their home. The initial outlay needs to be covered by the annual saving and it is this part which sometimes confuses people. The fact is that if your turbine is well placed and is 6kw or larger, you could save in excess of £3,000 per year when you take advantage of the Feed in Tariff. The Feed in Tariff is a system whereby any extra power which your home generates is sold back to the National Grid. This is a win-win situation whereby you benefit in more than one way. For more advice on this, speak to your electricity provider.

Things to remember

Small wind turbines are becoming a common sight these days, they are simple to install and require very little maintenance. More and more households across the country are cottoning on to the fact that not only do they save you cash but also allow some independence from the National Grid. This is always a good thing; reliance on your own energy is an exciting prospect in this day and age with energy at a premium. Research the options, speak to people who have already taken the plunge and you may find that you’re soon joining the thousands who are already benefiting from wind power.

Small Wind Turbines: An Overview

What are small wind turbines and how can we utilize them?

Which are the best small wind turbines? What are they good for and how can they be useful? These are some basic but pertinent questions which many people might ask when first starting to look at wind turbines and researching the possibilities regarding their energy efficiency and power output. Put simply, small wind turbines are a more basic and smaller version of the large scale turbines often seen on wind farms. A small scale wind turbine may be as small as 7 feet or up to around 25 feet tall. Often used in domestic situations they can be used to power lights and refrigerators and they can generate up to 10,000 watts of electricity which is no small feat when you consider that they are creating power from the wind!

Small wind turbines and where to put them

It stands to reason that small wind turbines won’t do well if they are not in the path of the weather. In built-up or urban areas, it can be difficult to find a suitable site with clear access to the wind. The best spots for smaller models are usually the higher ones. Rooftops make handy bases for small wind turbines, though it is important to ensure that the vibrations from the turning blades do not damage the roof or indeed put it under undue pressure. Before installing any structures on your roof, it is a good idea to get it checked by a professional. Loose tiles for instance can pose a hazard when a vibrating turbine is added to the mix! Another major point to remember is that the natural landscape can pose hazards such as overhanging branches or foliage which impedes the workings of a wind turbine.

What types of Small Wind Turbines are available?

Many small wind turbines which can be seen today in domestic situations are horizontal axis turbines but it is becoming clear that vertical axis turbines are increasing in popularity. This is down to the simple fact that they can capture the wind from all directions and also because they are far more workable in situations where a great height is not achievable. Homes in Urban areas for instance may benefit from what a vertical axis turbine has to offer. If you are interested in researching wind turbines for domestic use then the following hints and tips are worth remembering before you go shopping.

• Small turbines can generate as much as 10,000 watts of power
• The higher they are placed the more energy efficient they are
• Be sure that there are no natural hazards near your chosen site. That tree may be bare for part of the year, but what about next season?
•  Rooftop turbines should be placed only on stable and well maintained roofs.

All in all, wind turbines are a growing and important part of the worlds growing awareness of the need to preserve power and use clean energy where possible. Research well and keep an open mind.

Small Wind Turbines and the Eco Revolution

How easy to install are small wind turbines?

Can small wind turbines help reduce bills? Many people wonder this, in addition to asking how much energy a domestic turbine can realistically save. The answers to these questions are not cut and dried however, there are many factors to take into consideration regarding how efficient small wind turbines are in domestic situations. If you are thinking of installing a turbine in your own home, you might want to consider the following points before you buy!

• Small wind turbines need to be sited in the highest point possible within your space.
• If your home is in a built-up area you may need a mast for your wind turbine
• If your home is subject to a graded listing due to it’s age or architectural interest then you will need permission before installing a turbine
• Some areas have strict guidelines about extra structures being added to homes in the area; speak to your local council to find out about this
• Small turbines are usually sited in more remote areas where a relatively small amount of electricity is needed; farms and caravan or camping parks have many uses for them

What uses do small wind turbines have?

Many farmers find that small wind turbines are excellent for use in outbuildings which are seldom used. A small turbine can produce enough electricity to power the light for an outbuilding for instance and this can be very useful in remote areas. Likewise, campsites and caravan parks can make excellent use of these turbines in powering the lights for public toilets or utility rooms.

Before you install any small wind turbines

An important factor in how useful your turbine will be is how strong the wind is at your proposed site. An estimate of wind speed is a great idea and you can get this in a variety of ways, your wind turbine retailer will be able to advise you on the best way for your situation. Remember to speak to your electrical energy distributor before installing any turbines as they may want to advise on installation.

Making Electricity could make you cash

From April 2010 the Feed In Tariffs (FIT) allowed people who were producing their own electricity to sell back their excess to the National Grid, there are a number of arrangements which households wishing to take part can be part of depending upon the nature of their turbine (or other eco energy system) and it is as well to speak to the professionals before deciding on a suitable tariff. Again, it is a good idea to speak to the retailer of your turbine and ask their advice on this matter. Small wind turbines are becoming a common sight in the urban landscape and as their benefits become more apparent it is little wonder that more and more households are investing in them. Shop around before choosing a model; speak to neighbours who may already have a turbine as they may have recommendations, advice and warnings to impart.

Small Wind Turbines Today

Small wind turbines and their uses

Small wind turbines have many uses in both domestic and other applications. Their rise in popularity has been phenomenal and many homes throughout the UK now boast their own turbines. The uses for small turbines are varied and depending on your needs it is best to seek the opinions of a good retailer before committing to any purchase. For domestic use there are many options with regards to size and type, so research is a good idea. Remember that wind turbines need wind...it’s harder to get the optimum amount of wind for your turbine if you live in a built up area where local buildings may interrupt the flow of the wind before it reaches you. Small wind turbines can cut your utility bills and they are relatively cheap to purchase so as well as providing you with a cheap source of ecological energy they don’t cost the earth to install. Not only great for cutting domestic energy bills, small turbines are very useful on farms or campsites where outbuildings may be far from a regular source of electricity; a turbine can provide enough energy to keep the lights working in a public convenience or a cattle shed for instance. This is of great importance in remote communities where people do not always have the authorities to hand in emergencies.

Small wind turbines: are they right for you?

As the industry develops and improves technology surrounding small wind turbines, people are able to utilize them in areas which previously may not have been thought of as suitable sites. It is advisable to do a wind speed test before installing any wind turbines, as without a good amount of wind you may find that you are unable to generate a decent amount of power; no less than 5 m/s is thought to be the best amount for a wind turbine to generate a good amount of electricity. Today there are two main types of turbines for your home to choose from, these are Mast Mounted wind turbines and Roof Mounted wind turbines. Depending upon your home you may find that roof mounted are simpler to install but mast mounted may be better for areas with extra land to spare.

The benefits of small wind turbines

There are obvious benefits to small wind turbinesand once you consider all of these together you might find yourself wondering why you took so long to install your own!

• Small wind turbines can cut your utility bill
• Excess power can be stored in your battery or sold back to the National Grid
• Wind power is clean energy and will reduce your carbon footprint
• You can tailor your electricity usage to the weather; doing laundry on a windy day will allow you to take advantage of the free power as and when it is available

Remember that any structure on the outside of a home needs to be properly installed and in some cases, planning permission may be necessary. Seek advice from other people who currently have domestic wind turbines and find out the pros and cons of this energy saving innovation.

Small Wind Turbines and Their Advantages

How can small wind turbines help you?

It’s a fact that energy is at a premium today. Many householders are looking at alternative ways to power their homes and electricity generated by small wind turbines is one of the simplest solutions available on the market. Wind turbines can reduce your utility bills and ensure that you have some power which you are solely responsible for. With so many options available to the average home owner, it can seem a bit of a minefield when first looking at what the right choice is for any given situation. There are some considerations to take into account before choosing a turbine for your home and it is worth considering them carefully before committing.

Small wind turbines need wind

It may seem like a silly observation to make...of course small wind turbines need wind! The question is how much wind does your property encounter on a regular basis? If you live high on a hill in a remote area, then the chances are that you will have plenty of wind to power a wind turbine, but if your home is surrounded by tall buildings or by other natural landscape anomalies such as trees or hills, then you may not be in the path of enough wind to generate a decent amount of power. Take a look at your situation and consider using an online wind speed predictor to get some idea of how suitable your property is for small wind turbines. By entering your postcode in the predictor, you can find out quickly what the average wind speeds are in your area. A speed of more than 5k/m is necessary in order to truly benefit from a turbine. Masts can help in some situations by raising the turbine above roof height it is sometimes possible to maximise the amount of wind which your turbine receives.

Do you live in a listed building?

Listed buildings are usually heavily protected by laws which prevent the addition of structures which may alter the appearance of the building from the inside and the outside. Similarly, some areas are subject to orders which prevent home owners from making any additions to their buildings which could possibly compromise the general view of the area. If in doubt, contact your local authority for clarification. Another and important point to remember, especially if your home is an older building, is that your roof should be in excellent repair before any structures are added to it. Turbines do produce some vibration and so roof tiles need to be secure. Wind turbines need little maintenance once installed, a regular check two or three times a year should suffice.

Can small wind turbines reduce costs?

This is an important question for most people, small wind turbines can indeed help to make your utility bills smaller. A well chosen site combined with a household which takes advantage of the Feed in Tariff can save in excess of £3,000 per annum...no small sum!

In a nutshell

• Small wind turbines can be a great option if you live in a suitable area.
• Check with your local authority before you make any purchases
• Test your wind speed