Saturday, November 7, 2009

Is Wind Energy Just a Bunch of Hot Air?

If wind energy is such as great way to save money why aren't more people, and companies, using it? That is a question that gets asked a lot, and it's a good one. As with any new technology there are some pros and cons of using the wind to generate electricity. Hopefully the information below will make it easier for you to decide if it's right for you.

The idea is very simple, wind power is captured by a wind turbine which then turns that energy into electricity. That electricity can be used right away, fed into the community power grid or saved to be used at a later date by being stored in batteries.

Many people and businesses are beginning to see the real advantage to this kind of energy: it's free, readily available, doesn't pollute, and is renewable. If you look, you will see more small turbines popping up in your neighbors backyards and on the roofs of local businesses.

But there are downsides. The initial expense to purchase a turbine might be out of reach for many because the purchase price for a small turbine starts at about $600 and can cost as much as $12,000. However, there is now a range of sources which can give you the directions of how to build your own for just a couple hundred dollars.

Another positive is that you may even be eligible for a tax credit if you install one at your home, since many government organisations are now trying to encourage this type of development. And don't worry, modern turbines are quite small and come in a range of styles that can be mounted right on your roof or erected in your yard.

The downside of using the wind for electricity is that while the technology for converting the energy of the wind into electricity has improved dramatically it still has a long way to go to be truly efficient. It will also take more than one turbine to create all the electricity the average house will use in a day.

This may not have answered all your questions but this information may help you as you make up your mind as to whether or not using wind energy for your home or business is the right way for you to go. It's certainly a great option if you want to save money and save the planet. Don't stop now, surely it is worth a little bit more research.

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