What Are The Advantages Of Wind Power?

We live in a day of information overload. It is a constant struggle to sift through all that seems to be bombarding us on a daily basis. I want to go green and save money, but who do I believe? Are there any real advantages of wind power?

The basic technology of using the wind to run things is not a new concept. Windmills have been around for hundreds of years. In the past we have used wind power to do things like pump water and grind wheat. However, today we have a huge advantage over those old types of windmills, and use this same concept to power modern machines.

These technological advances have made it possible for us to much more efficiently convert wind energy into usable, storable, electricity. Initially these wind turbines were big commercial sized towers that required acres of space. These have now been down sized to the point where units are small enough to be installed in a backyard or on a rooftop.

Modern aerodynamics have also resulted in the development of a wide diversity of shapes as well, with some staying with the traditional windmill shape while others have opted for fluted designs that move around a central spindle.

The technology for capturing and converting the wind power to electrical power has also improved in efficiency and indications are that this will continue as more and more small units come into use.

Even so, today's wind generators can generate up to 50% of the electricity the average household needs, provided that there is enough consistent wind. This can be used as it is generated to run electrical appliances, used to charge up batteries for future use or fed back into the commercial grid. Which ever way you do it, it will add up to a huge savings yearly and for years to come.

So, while one small generator won't be able to generate all the power your home needs it will still be able to generate enough to make it worth the investment. Many have chosen to also diversify into solar power using solar collectors to be able to generate power whenever the sun is shining, which is particularly helpful in those areas where winds may be unpredictable.

To maximise the rate of return on your investment, maybe you should consider building your own generator. It's easy and inexpensive and you'll recoup your money in a few months. There are now a range of designs especially produced for the DIY market, with easy to understand step by step instructions.

Obviously this article cannot tell you everything, but hopefully it will help you better understand the advantages of wind power for your home. The fact is it is possible to be environmentally friendly and save money at the same time.