Saturday, August 22, 2009

DIY Wind Turbine - How to Generate Free Electricity

By Tristan West

As energy costs rise and we become more aware of our responsibility to develop alternative energy sources, more home owners are considering DIY wind turbines and DIY solar panels for their home. For a relatively small amount of money, you can now generate your own electricity and not only save yourself money but do your part in protecting the environment as well.

DIY alternative energy projects are very inexpensive and easy to build. Anyone can construct a wind turbine for less than $200 and provide all the energy needed for an average home. Solar panels can be built for less than $200 as well. Linked together these panels will generate electricity for your home. Everything you need can be purchased at your local hardware store or home improvement center and the tools required are probably already in your toolbox.

Just about any able-bodied person can get a hold of the necessary plans from the Internet for less than $50 and use those plans to construct wind turbines and solar panels. Some even come with videos that will walk you through the process step-by-step. So if you are intimidated by working with your hands to create a DIY wind turbine then don't be... it is definitely something you can do.

You could buy a manufactured wind turbine, but they are very costly. If money is not a concern to you and you dont mind shelling out thousands of dollars, you may wish to take this option. However, since you have read this far in this article, you are probably one of those people who are seriously considering the DIY windmill option and even think it might be fun!

There is no question that you can save money by generating your own power. In addition to saving on your monthly power bill, tax breaks are available to those who use wind and solar energy. When you file your taxes you can take a deduction that will lower your tax liability. Alternative energy sources available in a home also increases the value of the home.

Homeowners throughout the civilized world are considering and undertaking renewable energy projects more and more all the time. They understand the benefits to them as individuals in lower energy costs and the importance of decreasing our use of non-renewable energy sources that leave a carbon footprint behind. As technology advances, so too do our options in clean, renewable energy.

You may be wondering how much energy you can produce with a DIY wind turbine. This will depend on several things. First, the amount of wind in the area in which you live will play a big part in how much energy you can generate. The more wind the more power. Secondly, the size the wind turbine itself will determine the amount of energy that can be captured for future use. An average sized DIY wind turbine can produce enough energy to power an average home with just a few hours of moderate wind.

A wind turbine generates electricity through a simple process. As the wind turns the blades on the windmill, kinetic or physical energy is created. This energy is then trapped and stored in a battery where it can be used whenever it is needed. With this stored energy, the wind does not need to be blowing in order to have a supply of energy.

Many people report that they save up to 80% with their DIY wind turbine. Some even generate enough electricity from their wind power system to completely cover their a electricity bill every month. And the best scenario of all? Generating enough power from your wind turbine to not only pay your utility bill but to also sell the excess electricity back to your utility company. That's right... they will now be paying you.

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