Can I Really Power My Home With Wind Energy?
The Federal Tax Credits currently available in the US for upgrades for residential energy efficiency are significant enough to have many people thinking about energy efficiency remodeling. There is much discussion around the cost benefits of installing solar energy systems and even geothermal heat pump systems. But many homeowners are still asking, “Can I really power my home with wind energy?” The answer is “Yes!”
When most of us think about wind energy, we flash on images of huge turbines lined up in mid-western or off-shore wind farms. We see pictures of turbines 150 yards in diameter that sit 3000 feet above sea level. But wind technology is advancing daily. In fact, turbine design is advancing so fast that some of the wind-energy web sites are having difficulty keeping up!
Many farms and other residential and industrial facilities in rural areas have been using wind turbines for years to provide all power for their needs. But as interest in powering homes with wind energy grows, new technologies are producing quieter, more attractive, turbines that can be effective at lower elevations. In fact, there are new turbine designs that can be incorporated into landscaping design around homes.
The economics of wind power depend on where you live, how much wind is available on a continuous basis at what elevation, and whether you plan to invest in batteries to store excess energy. The economics of wind power also depend on whether you plan to install a stand-alone system to provide all of your energy needs or you plan to connect to the electric grid serving your area and use a wind energy system to generate power that you supply to the electric company in exchange for free energy. Either way, a small wind system could provide all of the power your home needs with wind energy.
You can now purchase a wind generator from and from several other online retailers. You can also purchase complete wind systems from the manufacturer. At the very least, you can do your homework online before you start talking with a local contractor. Most states currently require that wind power systems be professionally installed by certified contractors. Before you purchase any equipment from any source, you should discuss your options and what kind of systems are working for other homeowners in your area with your contractor.
Choices of turbines are generally based on the amount of wind power generated by the system. This is measured in kilowatts. For example, a 1.2kW turbine produces 1200 watts. A turbine of this size installed where there is an average wind speed of 12 mph will produce about 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The cost of a wind system usually ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt connected to the grid. The cost could be lower for an independent system not connected to the grid. Turbines are expected to last about 20 years.
In most cases, the installation cost for a 10 kilowatt residential system will be about $35,000 to $40,000. In an energy efficient home, this system could meet all energy needs, eliminating the electric bill. The amount of time needed to recover the cost would depend on current average monthly electric bill (e.g., a home using $200 of electricity per month, would recover $2,400 of the cost each year) and the available purchase incentives. The incentives would begin with the current Federal Income Tax Credit of 30% of the cost of equipment and installation or $10,500 – $12,000. Many states also offer such incentives as investment tax credits, sales tax reductions, property tax reductions, and financing assistance. Many utility companies also offer a variety of incentives, including net metering, to wind system installation.
In short, it is entirely possible to completely meet the energy needs of an energy efficient home with a wind power system that could be expected to pay for itself in as little as 10 to 15 years.
Copyright 2009 by ABCD Publishing…
Creating Energy Efficient Attics
When the term attics come to mind it is often in distaste. Most people consider them to be storage areas or those creepy places in horror movies. This isn’t so. They are normally stuffy and hot or freezing because they have not been insulated as part of the overall house. This is because they are not considered regular living space. Did you know that the extreme heat and cold can be bad for the items stored there? It can also be bad for your heating or cooling bill. Although heat rises up into attics, it is also often stuck there. This warms your ceiling in your living area and therefore makes the air conditioner work harder which affects your wallet.
It’s best to be proactive in this situation. Creating energy efficient attics is a matter of a few simple steps that involve spraying on a barrier sealant, adding insulation, and maintaining proper ventilation. The hardest of these steps will possibly be creating the right ventilation. That’s all depends upon the current system or the lack thereof.
A barrier coating is applied to attics in spray form. This is placed on the walls and ceilings of the room in order to deflect or block the heat from coming into the room or space. This coating is normally in paint form. It can be applied with an airless paint sprayer. It can also be rolled or brushed on.
Insulation is used to keep the temperature regulated in attics. It helps to keep things warm during winter months and cool during summer months. It comes in flexible roll-out sheets and in foam that you can spray between the outer wall and the sheetrock or drywall. You don’t need interior walls to install insulation. A lot of attics have it already on the floor area. They just don’t have it on the walls. If you don’t have a finished attic then it is best to use blanket type insulation.
Ventilation systems are designed to allow moisture and heat escape attics. This will help regulate temperatures and prevent damage to the wood.
As with any home improvement project, don’t guess or estimate what the required materials will be. Take appropriate measurements and apply them to the job at hand. When working on attic space remember to follow a few precautions. Before starting the project, clear the area of all items that are being stored. If there is no floor, only joists then place plywood or strong boards across them to support your weight and take away the risk of falling. Make sure that there is adequate lighting whether it is natural or you have to bring in a light.
These steps can not only create lower heating and cooling bills, they can help to make attics into living space and therefore increase the price of your home. Think of it as an inexpensive way to put an addition on your home. This doesn’t have to take nearly as long and you don’t have to put up with holes in your house, though.…