Wind is a plentiful and widely available source of renewable energy.

Wind turbines currently supply only about 1 percent of worldwide energy use, yet wind energy use increased fivefold between 2000 and 2007. Wind power is the wave of the future. The U.S. Department of Energy says that wind harvested in three of our 50 states could provide enough power for the whole country, and that offshore wind farms could supply the same amount.

Wind power has become very attractive to investors as oil prices have increased, and many homeowners are exploring small-scale turbines as a potential home-power source. These smaller turbines (100 kilowatt and less) can lower your electric bill by 50 percent to 90 percent. Some owners of wind-powered homes claim monthly utility bills around $10 for large parts of the year. Most wind-turbine owners recoup the cost of their investment in six to 15 years, then have free electricity for the lifespan of the turbine (20 years or more).

The average American household used 10,656 kilowatt hours of electricity at a cost of 10.4 cents per kilowatt hour in 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The smallest turbine that will help offset that amount of power use would be a 2-15 kilowatt wind turbine. Turbines this size can range in price from $3,000 to $33,000.

Success depends, in part, on your home's location. Most homes in the Northeast and Midwest are well suited for turbines. But if you live in a residential development where houses are tightly packed, a city with high buildings and zoning restrictions, or even in a forested area with tall trees, a wind turbine might not be right for you.

Some myths about wind turbines are that they are noisy and kill birds. That's not true.

"Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most people. A typical residential wind system makes less noise than the average washing machine," states the American Wind Energy Association Web site, www.awea.org.

The National Audubon Society strongly supports wind power as a clean alternative energy source that reduces the threat of global warming. It warns, however, that location is important. A poorly sited, early wind project in California was responsible for killing many raptors. Newer wind farms are sited away from flight paths and endangered bird populations. Still, experts estimate that glass skyscrapers kill far more birds than wind turbines do.

The most positive factor about small-scale wind power is that wind turbines produce no pollution and by using wind power you will be offsetting climate change. A small residential wind turbine can offset approximately 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide and other gases which cause climate change) during its lifetime.

Most home-sized wind turbines are produced in America, as America is the world leader in small wind-turbine manufacturing and export. Chicago-based Aerotecture International offers rooftop turbines starting at just $3,000.

California-based PacWind also offers a model at $3,000. This model, intended for residential use, produces up to 2,160 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, while a commercial model, priced at about $50,000, produces up to 9,600 kWh annually.

Arizona-based Southwest Wind Power produces SkyStream, a streamlined 2KW home wind turbine that is designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds. These lightweight (170 pound) turbines look sleek on their 33-foot poles and cost around $8,000, installed.

Many states offer incentives to help offset the cost to homeowners of installing wind turbines. These incentives are usually paid to a certified installer, and passed on to the homeowner. The incentives vary between $4,000 and $160,000 depending on the turbine size, wind speed and other requirements.

Want to switch to wind power?

Determine what the wind velocity is in your area by calling the nearest airport or visiting www.awstruewind.com.

Ask your town building inspector if there are any restrictions on wind turbines or tower height. Find out what your town's zoning requirements are, and if you need any special permits.

See if you are eligible for incentives that will help offset the cost of your wind turbine by visiting www.dsireusa.org

Gather your electric bills, or go online with your utility and estimate your annual electricity usage in kilowatt hours and the total dollar amount paid for that same period.

Have a home-energy audit to determine how you can lower your monthly electricity usage. Take the auditor's recommendations and reduce your energy use as much as possible before pricing wind turbines.

Locate a wind turbine installer near you and schedule a site assessment. A trustworthy installer will help you find the right size turbine at the right price to meet your needs. For information, start at www.sourceguides.com.

What if you can't make a wind turbine work for you? You can buy wind energy through most utility companies by purchasing wind energy credits. Check with your local utility, or try www.nativeenergy.com for more information.

Shawn Dell Joyce is a sustainable artist and writer who lives in a green home in the Mid-Hudson region of New York.

© Copley News Service

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