Generate Free Electricity Using Home Wind Turbines

Home wind turbines produce electricity from a free, renewable, clean source of energy, the wind. Using this alternative energy resource, wind turbines are becoming a popular method of producing free electricity for homeowners and business owners alike. The advantages and benefits of using wind turbines to generate electricity far outweigh the negatives. Many homeowners choose to build their own DIY wind turbines from kits that are available online. For those who are not so mechanically inclined, there are over 200 varieties of home wind turbines that are available online today.

In a typical residential application, electricity is provided simultaneously by the wind turbine and the local electrical utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph), there will be no output from the turbine, and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases, and the amount of power purchased from the utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the home needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no batteries in a modern residential wind system. The two types of home wind turbines include Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT's) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT's).

Horizontal axis wind turbines are by far the more prevalent type of wind turbine in use today. Windmills, for example, use a horizontal axis wind turbine to power themselves, as do most modern wind-farm turbines. Horizontal axis wind turbines work by facing propeller blades into the wind on a horizontal rotor shaft. The action of the wind causes the blades to spin, much like a pinwheel. The blades are fixed, and are connected to the rotor shaft, which rotates with them in the wind. The motion of this rotor shaft can then be used to do work of some kind or, in more modern applications, to generate electricity.

Vertical axis turbines work on very similar principles to horizontal axis wind turbines, but with several key distinctions. To begin with, the rotor shaft of a vertical wind turbine is arranged in a vertical fashion, with the wind-catching blades arranged around the rotor shaft. Vertical axis wind turbines do not need to be facing into the wind to operate. This is because the blades are arranged uniformly around the rotor shaft, and can catch the wind from any direction. The blades catch the wind, spinning the entire apparatus in a circular motion. The energy created by this kinetic effect can then be used to either do work or to create electrical energy.

Wind turbines are ideal for homeowners, communities and small businesses to use for on-site electrical power generation. The actual wind speed at your site will be influenced by the local topography and any nearby obstructions, such as trees or other buildings. Wind movement around buildings themselves is variable, so seeking expert advice can be a valuable option for the property owner. There are a range of different types of small wind turbine models, and thanks to their flexibility, these turbines can be installed in most locations. Your individual site specifics (such as location, wind speed and local landscape) will eventually determine the best turbine type and size for your application.

To learn more about home wind turbines, please visit WhatisWind.com.

by Vern Beatty Source: GoArticles.com