To continued increase in electricity and gas prices is making people look for alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. If you have ever traveled in remote parts of the country recently (or even on some remote parts of the coastline) you will have noticed wind turbines cropping up. You certainly wouldn't miss one as the are generally group togther and are large pylons with a turning rotor on the top. The rotors are moved by the strength of the wind that is converted to electrical energy by a generator. Energy companies sell this power to homeowners that are connected to their network.
Many individuals are now creating their own wind turbines to effectively generate their own power. It can help you to save money of monthly utility bills and also reduce your reliance on traditional coal and gas resources. This article will discuss how to go about making a home built wind generator.
Why a Home Built Wind Generator ?
Traditionally, you might expect to see a wind generator or a windmill in areas where the homes are fairly isolated and off the grid system. A wind generator needs a fair amount of clear land to be built on so your home needs to have this space available. In most cases it is used alongside other energy generating methods. Therefore, it can be used in conjunction with a traditional generator or another form of energy generation like solar panels.
The advantage of having a solar/wind energy generating set up is that the wind can work at all times but is more likely to be effective when the sun is down and the solar power system doesn't work. Thus you have a energy creating system 24/7.
Two considerations when it comes to building a wind generator is that you have enough wind and enough space. If your home is in a residential area then you may want to consider the feelings of your neighbors as they will be unhappy about a large (and even loud) structure blocking their view or other factors. It is good practice to inform your neighbors that you are embarking on such a project as it will keep them on side and more tolerant during the construction.
Kit Versus Do It Yourself
The next question is whether to buy a kit or do it yourself. The basic argument for each option comes down to the cost. A kit will cost more to buy but will be easier to set up and install. The seller of the system will probably have a service to install it if you have no interest or aptitude for DIY projects.
A home built system will be cheaper to make but will be harder to build and will probably take more time to complete. This depends on your level of expertise in DIY. You can make your life a little easier by getting one of the many DIY manuals that can be found on the internet or in bookstores now.
A home made wind generator that is made from one of these manuals will cost about $200 (excluding your time) so it can be far more cost effective than buying a kit or getting a professional to construct the system.
The quantity of power your wind generator will create depends on the amount of wind that you get and the size of the generator. Depending on where you live it could knock a few dollars off your monthly utility bill or it could be a source of much of the energy you need.
Get more information on a step by step guide to building your own wind generator and a solar power system at Earth4Energy videos and many other facts and figures about alternative energy at http://www.solarpowerappliances.com
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