Photo Credit: wind turbine of the Kama’oa Wind Farm in Ka Lae (a.k.a. South Point), Big Island of Hawaii by Harvey McDaniel

Today, we see more and more individuals installing solar panels on their roofs as an attempt to live in a more sustainable way. While this practice is increasing, there has not been much talk of individuals utilizing wind turbines in their homes.

Small-scale wind turbines are thought to be noisy and inefficient, with a high amount of problems and therefore maintenance. These facts have kept them off the mass market. However, Honeywell is starting to change these connotations with their introduction of the WT6500. While most standard wind turbines need strong winds to turn a heavy central generator, which creates the power, the WT6500 works in a new, innovative way.

Magnets are stationed near the tips of the 20 blades of the turbine. As the blades rotate they create a current, therefore making the generator the entire wheel as opposed to having a central generator. In this, energy can be created from winds as slow as 2 mph, as compared to 8 mph for the standard turbine. Additionally, the turbine only produces a whisper, making it more conducive to the home environment. The turbine can produce up to 1,500 kilowatts of energy per year, allowing about 15% of an average home energy bill to be offset with wind energy. Thus, the turbine can pay for itself in about five to ten years.

The turbine costs about $5,500 and can be purchased via Amazon

Source: www.off-grid.net