Do Small Wind Turbines Really Reduce Your Energy Bills?

Introduction

With rising electricity prices, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills. Small wind turbines, installed on residential properties, are sometimes advertised as a solution. But do small wind turbines actually help cut your energy costs?

I installed a small wind turbine on my property last year. Based on my experience, here is an in-depth look at whether these systems live up to their promises.

How Small Wind Turbines Work

First, let's review how small wind turbines operate.

• Small wind turbines are mounted on towers in areas with consistent wind speeds, like rural properties or farms.
• The turbine blades spin in the wind, turning a generator to produce electricity.
• The power is either used directly in the home or fed back into the grid through net metering.

So in theory, small wind turbines can offset your electricity usage from the grid. But there are some important caveats.

Key Factors That Impact Performance

Several key factors determine whether a small wind turbine will produce enough power to reduce your energy bills:

Wind Speeds

• Wind speeds need to average 10 mph or greater for small turbines to be effective.
• At lower wind speeds, they won't spin fast enough to generate much electricity.
• Urban and suburban areas often lack sufficient wind speeds.

Tower Height

• Tower height is critical. The higher the turbine, the more wind it can access.
• Towers of 80 feet or more are best. Shorter towers produce vastly less power.
• Getting zoning approval for tall towers can be challenging.

Turbine Size

• Bigger turbines (with 10+ foot diameter blades) harness more wind energy.
• Smaller turbines look nice but aren't cost effective.

Grid Interconnection

• Connecting to the grid with net metering helps maximize financial return.
• Areas without net metering provide less monetary value for the generated electricity.

My Experience with a Small Wind Turbine

I installed a 2.5 kW turbine on a 50 foot tower last year, costing roughly $15,000. Based on my firsthand experience, here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

• It reduced my energy bills by 10-15% annually.
• It produces power day and night when it's windy.
• It reduces my carbon footprint.

Cons:

• It doesn't produce much on calm days or nights.
• It sometimes makes noise that I can hear.
• Birds and bats occasionally collide with the turbine.

Overall, I feel good about shrinking my environmental impact. But in terms of return on investment, it will take 10+ years to break even.

Key Considerations Before Installing a Small Wind Turbine

Based on my experience, here are some key questions to consider:

• Do you have average wind speeds of 10+ mph?
• Can you install an 80+ foot tower?
• Is your property zoned for tall structures?
• Does your utility offer net metering?
• Are you comfortable with a long break-even timeline?
• Are you willing to tolerate some noise and wildlife impacts?

If you can answer yes to those questions, a small turbine may make sense. But be sure to approach with full awareness of the upfront costs and realistic power production.

Bottom Line

Small wind turbines can help reduce energy bills, under the right conditions. But they require high initial investments and proper siting to produce meaningful power. For many homeowners, solar panels may be a better renewable energy option. If you do install a small turbine, go in with eyes open on the pros, cons, and real-world performance. With realistic expectations, a small wind turbine can be a good way to shrink your energy footprint.