When driving out west recently I could not help noticing a couple of new wind farms, with dozens of gigantic wind turbines, making energy while the sheep continued to graze underneath. In Australia, when people suggest wind turbines this is the picture they imagine, but the reality is that small turbines are now available that can be set up in your own backyard which can enable you to generate your own electricity.
In my local context it is rare to see these small turbines which can be attached to your rooftop but the few that are appearing almost look like some sort of sculpture. They're small, compact, and even attractive which is why they are beginning to catch on, even some businesses have converted to wind power to subsidise their electricity needs.
You can use the same principles for your home and you might be surprised to learn that a small, home sized, turbine can be purchased for between $600-$12,000, or you can build your own for a few hundred dollars. Most suppliers suggest that it will only take a day or two to build and you can even make it into a family project.
The good news is that one small turbine can cut your electric bill by up to 80%. That is significant especially when you remember that the savings will go on as long as you keep your turbine running. However, you must remember that one turbine won't supply your home with all the power it needs. You will probably still need to buy some electricity.
Even better still, if you install several turbines and put more energy into the grid when it is windy, on the calm days you will still be in front financially. Alternatively you could combine your wind power with solar power by installing solar panels too, which will continue to supply energy on still days. Between these two sources of renewable energy you'll be able to be even more self sufficient!
No matter what you choose to do: buy a turbine, build your own turbine, have multiple turbines, or combine wind energy with solar energy, you still have a viable option when it comes to going green and saving money. Don't put it off any longer, pick the option that is right for you and start today.
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