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.