Want a wind turbine for your home? You’re in luck, because you have several options available – and because these days it’s easier than ever before to go off the grid and power your house entirely with clean energy.
Here are the 3 main options you have:
Option 1: Buy a Professionally-Produced Wind Turbine
The easiest option, if you don’t have much time, is to simply buy a wind turbine from a large company. Depending on your location and the wind speeds in your area, it might cost between $5,000 and $20,000 to completely power your house like this and eliminate your electricity bill.
If you have that kind of money to invest and don’t like to build things yourself, this is your best option – but be aware that it is most effective if you’re in the Midwest or near the ocean, where there is sufficient wind to make the investment worthwhile.
Advantages: Requires minimal time; no potential to mess up your wiring or electricity
Disadvantages: Very expensive; not worth it unless you have very strong winds in your area
Option 2: Acquire or Find a Broken or Not Fully Functional Wind Turbine
This is another option that most people completely overlook – rather than buying or building a wind turbine, why not just get a broken one from a neighbor or from a company looking to get rid of some of their windmills?
The only problem here is that it’s a little unreliable to do this, and you never know what you’re getting with a broken wind turbine – it might collapse in a week, leaving you without power. But it’s the cheapest option if you’re up for a challenge.
Advantages: Cheapest option; requires less time than building your own wind turbine
Disadvantages: Unreliable; may not last very long; may be difficult to find broken turbine depending on your location
Option 3: Build Your Own Wind Turbine
This is the alternative that you’re probably the most interested in – building your own wind turbine. If you like to get your hands dirty and have a few days to spare, you can power your home – or at least greatly reduce your electricity bill – for a few hundred dollars and several days worth of work.
The main problem is that not everyone is comfortable doing this, and you may not get good results if you live in an area without much wind.
Advantages: Relatively inexpensive; only requires a few days worth of work; can be “worth it” even if you don’t have strong winds in your area
Disadvantages: Requires some familiarity with cutting metal and assembling machines; may get unpredictable results if it’s your first time
