|
|
Exploring the Practicality of Residential Wind Mills
Wind might just be considered the ultimate form of renewable energy. Nearly everyone has felt the force of wind, or seen wind mills in operation on a larger scale. Those enjoying coastal properties see the power of wind on a daily basis. The question is, however, how practical are wind mills on a smaller, residential scale? Can the cost of installation and maintenance outweigh the savings on your electric bill and energy consumption? This article will show you how to decide if residential wind mills are a practical choice.
If you're considering installing a residential windmill to decrease your electric bill, there are a number of factors that you should consider. The first is whether or not your property has a good wind resource. In California, the Santa Cruz properties offer some of the best places to harness the wind energy available. One way to help determine this is to take a look at a wind map of your area. A great resource for finding this information is the windpoweringamerica.gov website, by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, chances are your local or state government could have additional information on wind resources in your area.
The size of your property is also something to consider when thinking about wind generation. Santa Cruz real estate can offer the land you need to handle the equipment necessary for wind generation you need approximately an acre of land, ideally in a rural setting. Of course, you also have to consider your local zoning codes and ordinances; sometimes there are limitations on what can be constructed, and the sizes involved. Also, the closeness of your neighbors and their desires should be considered. Some people might object to having a windmill in their field of view, and considerations might have to be negotiated. Thankfully, properties found within the Santa Cruz MLS property list can be a great source for prime properties. Finally, you should consider whether or not you're comfortable making a long term investment, and the amount of your monthly electric bill. If it averages more than $150 a month, chances are a windmill might be a practical choice.
If you've determined that placing a residential wind mill on your property can be feasibly done, the next thing to consider is the cost of the system. Wind mill installation costs can vary greatly, and depends on local zoning, permitting, and utility connection costs. A small turbine can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $50,000 installed, depending on the size, application and service agreements with the manufacturer. In fact, the American Wind Energy Association, awea.org says that a standard home wind system costs about $32,000. Although this should be considered a significant investment, the overall cost can potentially be much less than other renewable resources, and can be extremely competitive with traditional energy resources. For example, a comparable solar energy or photovoltaic system can cost more than $80,000. Once you factor in the savings in lower utility costs, the relative impact on the environment, as well as the renewable nature of wind, it might compare favorably to what the power company supplies. If these alternative power sources are less, or even, a residential windmill might be a practical choice.
|
 |
Please Rate: |
|
Rating: |
 Processing ... |
(Average: Not rated) |
| Views: | 13 | |
|
| More Articles from Home Improvement | | |
| Top Articles in Home Improvement | | |
|
