With the cost of heating and cooling one's home steadily increasing, many homeowners are investing in cheaper more sustainable energy sources. Modern wind turbines have been gaining popularity and are extremely versatile. They can be used in numerous environments and are readily available. The wind turbines of today have been aerodynamically designed to capture the maximum amount of energy from the wind. Wind turbines convert the natural kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical power that runs a generator to produce clean electricity. Approximately 44% of all home energy use is designated for heating and cooling the home. Switching to wind power can greatly reduce the cost of one's electricity, reduce the cost of extending power lines to remote locations, prevent power interruptions, and reduce carbon emissions.

Before purchasing a wind turbine one must first ensure that one's home is up to date in terms of energy efficiency. Imagine the home as a complete energy system; in order to maximize the effectiveness of the turbine, one must first minimize any inefficiency within the system.  In addition, harnessing wind energy is not a pragmatic endeavor for all homeowners. One must be aware of the natural requirements in order to capitalize on the success of the turbine. First and foremost, one must have access to a consistent wind resource. In addition the home must be located in a rural area with at least one acre of land, clear of any power or utility lines, have cleared local zoning codes, and the homeowner must be able to cover the initial cost of the investment.

The size of the wind turbine depends on the method of application used in the home. Small turbines range in size from 20 watts to 100 kilowatts (kW). One 10-kW turbine for example has enough generating power to pump water and grind grain. Turbines in residential applications can range in size from 100 to 400-kW depending on the amount of electricity one wishes to generate. Before purchasing a turbine one should first establish an energy budget in order to acquire the proper turbine to meet one's energy needs. For example, a typical home uses approximately 830-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per month. A wind turbine generating 1.5-kW will meet the requirements of a home requiring up to 300 kWh per month.

Measuring wind speed is crucial if one is preparing to purchase a turbine. The manufacturer provides information on the maximum wind speed at which the turbine is designed to operate safely. Most turbines have automatic over-speed control systems to protect the instrument under high wind strain. Smaller wind turbines generate direct current (DC) electricity. Direct current is stored in batteries and is ideal for smaller systems. If one wishes to power a conventional household power grid, one must use alternating current (AC) and must install converters to invert DC battery electricity to AC. This information, along with the energy budget is necessary for procuring the correct size turbine.

Smaller energy systems cost on average $5,000 for every kWh of generating capacity. This is significantly cheaper than solar electric systems but one must endure the initial brunt cost and longer payback period. Wind energy becomes more cost effective as the size of the turbine rotor increases. Although small turbines have a lower initial cost, they are proportionally more expensive. However this is not a deterrent from obtaining a smaller turbine. Although the initial cost for assembly is substantial, the investment proves to have quite a large return.

For most switching to complete wind power is not an option. Therefore hybrid systems may be more effect in reducing costs and carbon emissions. This can include relying on partial solar and wind energy, or wind and hydro-electricity. For more information about the benefits and requirements for switching a home to wind power visit Wind Powering America as well as www.eere.energy.gov.