Residential Windmills - Home Windmill Basics

Small wind turbines and wind power energy:

There has probably never been a better time to seriously consider harnessing wind power to generate some or all of your home's electricity. A great deal of time and money has been invested over the last decade into wind energy, and today's homeowner can reap the benefits from many of these advances. Although just a dream maybe 10-15 years ago, residential wind power is now a reality for many families around the world.

Assuming you have already done your due diligence, and you have determined that a home windmill is practical where you live, what exactly is a home windmill and how does it generate power? Home windmills and wind turbines can come in many different shapes and sizes, however a traditional home windmill looks similar to a large fan, but works just the opposite. Instead of using electricity to move the fan blades to create wind, a windmill or wind turbine uses the wind to move the fan rotor blades to generate electricity. In essence, the wind turns the rotor blades, which spin a shaft, and the shaft is connected to a generator that makes electricity.

Some of the basic parts that make up a residential windmill are as follows:

Rotor Blades - These are similar to fan blades. They catch the wind causing them to turn, which transfers the wind energy into kinetic energy.

Shaft - As the rotor blades turn they rotate the shaft. This then transfers the mechanical energy and powers the generator.

Generator - The generator or alternator is what is used to generate the electricity. As the rotor blades turn the shaft, the shaft transfers mechanical energy into the generator. Inside the generator, the rotation of magnets around a conductor, generates electricity.

Tail Assembly - This is used on horizontal-axis windmills and keeps your rotor blades facing into the wind. As the wind hits the tail assembly it causes your windmill rotor blades to swivel on the tower so that you get the most benefit from the wind, regardless of which direction it is blowing.

Tower - These come in all different shapes and sizes, but basically think of this as a big flag pole. The rotor blades and other parts of the windmill are mounted on the top of the tower. The higher the tower is the better, since this helps to ensure that you are above any nearby obstructions that might block the wind flow.

Today, there are many companies that offer complete, turn-key, home energy systems. Many of these systems combine both residential windmills and solar power, and come in a wide variety of configurations. These normally cost thousands of dollars and can provide either most or all of your home energy needs. There are also many sources available that provide simple step-by-step instructions for building your own home windmill or solar panels. If you are somewhat handy, then you may want to go this route and save yourself a good deal of money. Either way, you owe it to yourself to take a closer look at wind power, and see if maybe a home windmill is just what you need to lower your home energy costs.

Rich Herman is a home energy enthusiast. Visit his website for information on residential wind power: http://www.home-windmill.com