A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device, needs to be high above nearby buildings and mature tree lines, and often must abide by zoning laws. This means small wind systems are very seldom, if ever, suitable for urban or small-lot suburban applications. Except for very small wind turbines (i.e., with rotors one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or more is desirable.  The economics of a wind system are very sensitive to the average wind speed in the area, and to a lesser extent, the cost of purchasing electricity. As a general rule of thumb, if economics are a concern, a turbine owner should have at least a 10-mph average wind speed and be paying at least 10 cents/kWh for electricity.  Residential wind turbines have been installed in all 50 states, but the majority have been installed in the West, Northeast, and Midwest where good wind resources often combine with good state incentive programs.

How would I have a wind turbine installed at my home?

Most dealers offer either complete turnkey (ready-to-operate) installations or the option for customers to purchase directly from the factory and install the system themselves. The first option offers more customer support from the company.
Self-installation offers significant savings and a hands-on understanding of the turbine. Prospective owners can discuss the options available with manufacturers to decide which method best suits their budget and technical skills.

Approach buying the equipment as you would any major purchase. You will need to weigh costs and various degrees of ruggedness/durability of designs. Obtain and review the product literature from several manufacturers, and research those you want to pursue to ensure they are recognized businesses and their parts and service will be available when you need them. Find out how long the warranty lasts and what it includes, and ask for references of customers with installations similar to the one you are considering. Ask system owners about performance, reliability, maintenance and repair requirements, and whether the system is meeting their expectations.

What size turbine do I need for my home?

Homes use approximately 10,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year (about 830 kWh per month), though this amount can vary considerably. An air-conditioned home in Arizona , for example, will use more electricity than a non-air-conditioned home in Vermont. Depending upon the average wind speed in the area, a wind turbine rated in the range of 5 to 10 kilowatts would be required to make a significant contribution to meet this demand.

How much does a wind system cost?

Small wind energy systems cost from $3,000 to $6,000 for every kilowatt of generating capacity, or about $40,000 for a system (installed) large enough to power most of a home.

This is much cheaper than solar systems, but the payback period can still be lengthy – as little as 6 but up to 30 years. That's why it's important to take advantage of rebates or tax credits available for small wind system installations. Well-sited small wind turbines can usually pay for themselves within 15 years, about half their serviceable lifetimes, if the right incentives are applied.

How does the cost of a small wind system compare to that of other technologies?

Small wind turbines (with generating capacities of 100 kilowatts and under) are often the least expensive way to generate clean, on-site electricity.

A study by the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment found wind to be cheaper for meeting remote loads (loads not connected to a utility system) than diesel generators, solar photovoltaics, or utility transmission line extensions. (Micro-hydro also was found to be less expensive in many locations.)

Hybrid systems of wind/photovoltaic, wind/diesel, and other combinations can
often provide the most efficient and cost-effective option for rural electrification. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, are
often used to supplement wind power since PV tends to operate best in seasons when the wind is more calm. Diesel generators or batteries can be used for
backup power and to maintain power production during low wind seasons.

Will a small wind turbine save me money?

A wind turbine typically lowers a household electricity bill by 50% to 90%. It is not uncommon for wind turbine owners with total-electric homes to have monthly utility bills of only $8 to $15 for nine months of the year. Depending on the turbine size and the installation site, a turbine could supply more than 100% of a home’s energy needs, sometimes resulting in a “negative” electric utility bill. In northern parts of the U.S. where less air conditioning is used, electricity bills can be very low year-round. The amount of money a small wind turbine saves you in the long run will depend upon its cost, the amount of electricity you use, the average wind speed at your site, and other factors.

Since energy conservation is usually less expensive than energy production, making your house or farm more energy-efficient first will likely reduce the amount of investment in a wind system to meet your needs. Most wind system purchasers have done all the reasonable efficiency measures first.

How do wind turbines perform as an investment?

The wind system will usually recoup its investment through utility savings within six to 15 years and after that the electricity it produces will be virtually free.  Over the long term, a wind turbine is a good investment because a well-sited wind system increases property value, similar to any other home improvement. Many people buy wind systems in preparation for their retirement because they don't want to be subject to unpredictable increases in utility rates.

What about towers?

The taller the tower, the better. An 80- to 120-foot tower is usually supplied along with the wind turbine. Towers this tall are necessary to raise the wind turbine above turbulence generated by obstacles on the ground and trees. Wind speed increases with height above ground, and increasing speed increases wind power exponentially. Thus, relatively small investments in increased tower height can yield very high rates of return in power production. For instance, installing a 10-kW generator on a 100-foot tower rather than a 60-foot tower involves a 10% increase in overall system cost but can result in 29% more power.

Taller towers also raise blades above air turbulence, allowing the turbines to produce more power. A rule of thumb for proper and efficient operation of a wind turbine is that the bottom of the turbine's blades should be at least 30 feet above the top of anything within 500 feet.

Also be aware of any height restrictions your local zoning rules may impose. Occasionally local rules prohibit structures higher than 30 feet or so.

Several different types of towers are available, depending upon which manufacturer you select. Each type has its advantages; the most economical type of tower is the guyed lattice tower, but a hinged tower can be easier for you to install yourself and provides easier access for maintenance.

Is there anything I should watch out for when buying a small wind turbine?

"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" are words to keep in mind when shopping for a small wind turbine. Over the years, a steady stream of "breakthrough"wind turbines has promised exceptional performance at an incredibly low price. Sometimes the claimed performance violates the laws of physics, promising more power than the total kinetic energy available in the windstream that is intercepted by the rotor's swept area. These often well-meaning entrepreneurs usually do not have the engineering background to perform proper calculations and tests.

There have also been out-and-out frauds in the wind business where the entrepreneur set out to intentionally defraud the public, particularly from overseas manufacturers. This has been possible, at least in the short term, because most people aren't experts on the physics of wind energy, and they have a hard time sorting out reasonable claims from unreasonable ones. Who wouldn't be tempted to buy a new wind turbine "twice as efficient as anything on the market"?

Most of the popular models of small wind turbines operate at about the same efficiency. The energy production you should expect will be closely related to the swept area of the rotor blades, which is based on the diameter of the rotor. If you are offered a product that promises to run your whole house with a turbine that is much smaller than conventional products, it's time to start asking hard questions. Another way to protect yourself is to make sure that the dealer who sold you the wind turbine can provide references from prior satisfied customers.

How reliable are wind turbines? Will I have to perform much maintenance?

Most small turbines have only 2-3 moving parts and are designed for a long life (20 - 30 years). However, as with any other hard-working machine, parts must be maintained and occasionally repaired. The average residential-sized wind turbine will put on as many "miles" in just four months as the average car does in its 100,000-mile lifetime. No responsible automobile owner would expect their car to perform for such an extended period of time with no tune-ups or oil changes, let alone without maintenance.

Will my utility allow me to hook up a wind generator?

Federal regulations (specifically, the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, or PURPA) require utilities to connect with and purchase power from small wind energy systems. A wind turbine manufacturer should be able to help arrange the required utility company approvals. 

Will my local government allow me to install a wind turbine?

A wind turbine is a tall structure that normally requires a building permit. Zoning regulations often limit the height, placement, and other characteristics of "appurtenant" structures, so a conditional (special) use permit or variance may be necessary. It's usually best to let your neighbors know about your installation ahead of time. Be prepared to answer questions and clear up common misconceptions with well-documented facts about small wind turbines.

These are just some of the questions and answers you can find at the AWEA small wind FAQ page: http://www.awea.org/smallwind/faq_buying.html