Installing A Wind Power System In Your Home
Jul 12th, 2009 by admin
Most people think of solar power when they consider a home electricity generator. While this is a good solution, home wind turbines are also a very reasonable alternative for most homeowners. Wind power turbines are efficient and reliable, and run much quieter than before, and will generate a significant amount for power for your home.
There are many benefits to generating electricity with a wind turbine system. Wind power systems will generate electricity any time that there is a wind, unlike a solar power system that can only work when the sun is out.
When deciding on what style to install you need to first consider your lot size and elevation. The factor that most effects power generation of a wind turbine is finding a strong wind for as long as possible. You might have to install the unit on a higher tower to get access to the required wind, or locate it in an area of your lot that is not blocked by the trees.
There are basically two styles of home wind turbines for you to choose from. Besides the horizontal turbine that has been used for years there is a new vertical turbine that is starting to be used more often.
The horizontal home wind turbine uses a rotor assembly with a number of blades that spin when the wind blows. The rotor assembly is attached to a shaft that is connected to a generator that will spin and conduct electricity while doing so.
There are a few drawbacks to this design and you need to know about these before making a decision. Firstly, the turbine blades are larger, which means it takes a stronger wind to get them to turn. Despite being able to generate electricity with a slower wind, a smaller turbine would not be able to produce as much energy as a larger turbine.
The next issue is that the horizontal models have to face the wind and the wind’s direction is always changing. The turbine will not generate electricity until the wind turns it into proper orientation.
The vertical home wind turbines are a little different in design. They are connected to a vertical shaft and they don’t uses blades to spin the shaft. They have scoops or cups that are attached to the rotation shaft.
This can be a benefit because it looks a little less conspicuous than a large horizontal turbine.Also, because the rotating shaft is vertical you can mount the heavy generator near or at ground level.
Another major advantage is that since the shaft is vertical, this type of turbine can catch the breeze no matter what direction it is blowing and never needs to adjust its position. It will also rotate with a gentle breeze which will help you achieve better efficiency when compared to a horizontal turbine.
The downside to the vertical home wind turbine is that they tend to generate less electricity than the horizontal designs do. They don’t produce as much power, but they can still generate electricity when the wind isn’t strong enough to turn a horizontal turbine.
As you can see, both systems have their own unique advantages, but no matter which design you choose you will definitely reduce your power bills by installing a wind power system. Take your time and compare the different models and you can find one that is perfect for your needs.
To learn more about home wind turbine sysytems please visit http://www.residentialrenewableenergy.com/home-wind-turbines.php