Wind Power for Homes – Residential Wind Turbines
Wind is a renewable energy source that is getting a closer look these days. With the future depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concerns, renewable energy sources are at the forefront of people’s minds. For some, it is a present reality in the form of a wind turbine to power their homes.
Wind Energy 101
The winds blow as a result of the solar radiation that hits our planet. Hot air rises and cooler air falls in below creating wind currents across the earth. These winds have energy or power behind them. Just look at a tornado. The force of those winds can push a splinter the size of a toothpick into a tree.
Click Here Now to Slash (or Even Eliminate) Your Energy Bills
We are not talking about winds that strong, but more normal wind speeds are harnessed by windmill like structures called wind turbines. They act on the same principle as a windmill, but with today’s technology to convert that kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. It is this electricity that is powering homes that choose to use wind power.
The Wind Turbine
Wind turbine farms can be seen on the side of the road in some areas. They stretch on and on and create electricity for farms and other off grid structures. Now, wind turbines can be found in residential areas that get electricity from a power grid. The wind turbine replaces all or part of the electricity bought from the power company.
A wind turbine has at least three blades. This is for stability when the wind blows. The blades are made of PVC to be lightweight but durable.
The turbine stands on the top of a tower so that it is tall enough to catch the strongest winds. On wind farms, the turbines can stand 100 feet in the air. In a residential setting, they don’t stand that high but they are tall enough to stay clear of anything that will block the wind blowing in its direction. The rotor blades rotate on a shaft so that they will catch the wind from all directions.
Wind Turbine Systems for the Home
There are three basic systems for the home user:
• Grid intertied wind system with battery backup
• Grid intertied wind system without battery
• Off-grid wind system
Each system collects the wind energy in the same way—using the wind turbine. Each system needs wiring to pass the electricity from the generator to the home. The systems differ when the electricity passes to the home. For a battery system, the energy is stored in a deep cycle battery until it is needed and then it is transferred to the circuits in the home. Without a battery, the electricity flows directly into the home.
Click Here Now to Slash (or Even Eliminate) Your Energy Bills
A wind turbine is a great way to lower energy consumption in areas with the proper winds. Homeowners can use naturally-occurring phenomena to fuel their home energy needs.