Wind turbines often seem to be the more intimidating choice when considering one’s options for home-generated alternative energy. This need not be the case. Advancements in technology and some publicly available guidebooks make this a much more attainable option than ever.

Obviously, the first consideration in deciding that wind is the right investment is if you have enough space. There are essentially two issues at play- actual space and zoning restrictions.

Residential wind turbine have blades ranging from around 7 to 15 feet. Thus, to install such a system, your home must have a space with a radius large enough to accommodate that turbine.

In addition, the most efficient system will obviously go to where there is the most wind- typically above obstructions. This means building a tower. A wind tower requires a substantial base, which should be another consideration when considering if wind power is your choice for renewable energy. This all sounds very daunting! But the truth is that most wind turbines are either professionally installed or come in a kit, making DIY a very real possibility.

One other consideration when considering wind power is evaluating the site. You can obviously evaluate if the area where you live, be it in a city, near the mountains, in a rural area, etc. tends to be windy. However, you don’t need to live on the shores of a lake at the base of a canyon for wind power to benefit you (although that wouldn’t hurt!) Most sites are not perfect, so your best bet is to take some simple readings with a wind meter. You can probably get something sufficient at an outdoor store or online- we’re not looking for perfection here, just a general sense of where the most wind hits your property. Take some measurements at different times of day in different locations where you think you may place your wind turbine. Keep a chart for a couple of weeks with the location, time of day, temperature, height, and direction at the very least. You will need to find a location with an average “cut-in” speed- the speed at which the turbine will actually produce power. This is typically 8-12 mph. If you want to be particularly scientific about it, evaluate this over the course of several seasons. This could be tedious, but could also maximize your investment.

Once you’ve found that perfect spot, there are two considerations. The first I mentioned above- zoning. Fortunately, the state laws have been laid out nicely by the American Wind Energy Association. You can find a state-by-state guide here. They have some very good information on how to effectively plan the project so that your neighbors and local zoning officials are on board with you.

If all those ducks are in a row, there’s really only the other consideration I made reference to above: what tower to buy. This is far too extensive of a question for this article, so I have started laying out a buyer’s guide for wind turbines. I will continue to update this as more turbines hit the market.

Let’s recap. When evaluating whether or not to implement wind power, here are the questions to ask yourself:

1. Is there a location on your property that gets enough wind?
2. What are the zoning laws in your area?
3. Are your neighbors on board with the idea?
4. DIY or professional installation?
5. What turbine will you buy?

Lastly, I would like to finalize this by mentioning that DIY is a great option and a great money-saver. If you are not familiar with home wiring, you will need to bone up on that particular topic (to be added here later!) However, wind turbines tend to tie into residential power systems quite seamlessly. Buying a wind turbine can leave you feeling good about your contribution to the environment, can be an exciting and fun project, and as the costs continue to drop for turbines, can actually save you money. And if money is a factor, consider this- if you have a good site for a wind turbine, it is a long-term investment. Most turbines are built to last 20 years or more with relatively little maintenance (I won’t claim none). There are a variety of organizations which may help you finance your project, and in the long-run, it will save you a grundle of money if done correctly.