Wind is a form of solar energy. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power, or a generator can be added to convert the mechanical power into electricity. A windmill works the exact opposite of a fan. A fan uses electricity to make wind and a wind turbine uses wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft. The shaft is connected to a generator which makes electricity.
With the skyrocketing prices of electricity, the home owner of today would be well advised to invest in a wind energy machine to create their own electricity. Not only to save money, but to actually make money. The residential windmills are connected to a storage unit. If the homeowner uses less electric than is supplied by the wind generator, the excess is stored. When the storage unit is almost full, call the electric company and they will purchase the excess from you. You make money, they save money because it is cheaper to purchase the energy from you than to create more of their own. In the end, they also make money.
Many homeowners get a little worried when you mention wind energy turbines. They immediately picture the huge windmills you see popping up along the highways in the Midwest, particularly when you enter California. These wind farms are producing energy for the utility companies. The residential wind energy turbines are usually below 100 kilowatts and are much smaller than the windmill turbines of several megawatts in the wind farms. And they are much cheaper to construct.
And using the wind is one of the best ways to save on our natural resources. With the public demand to become 'earth friendly' or 'go green', the internet has become saturated with web sites that promise to show you how to build your own windmill at huge savings. And there are books also claiming to show you how to build your own windmill under $200. But even if you have to spend a thousand dollars to build a wind energy system, you will recoup your costs in a matter of months, not years.
The bottom line is savings. If you want to save money on your energy bills, think wind. And it doesn't hurt to remember you're preserving the earths natural resources for your children and grandchildren.
Thermostat: Turn your thermostat up while you are at work all day. I set mine at 78 when I leave in the morning and turn it down when I return. A programmable thermostat can save you money as well. It helps if you forget to turn the air conditioner up before you leave in the morning.
Grill: Summer time is a nice time to get out of the pool and throw dinner on the grill. Instead of heating up the house with your stove cook, grill dinner outside. Running your oven cost approx. .25 cents an hour.
Clothesline: It may sound old fashioned but the dryer is expensive to run. When ever possible hang your clothes out to dry. It makes whites whiter. You can throw your clothes in the dryer for 10 minutes and then hang them up in your laundry room to finish drying the rest of the way on hangers. Estimated cost of running the dryer is .30 cents a load.
Caulk: Your windows may need a fresh bead of caulk around the edge to help prevent your air from escaping.
Drapes: Install energy efficient drapes, blinds, etc. on the east and west side of your house.
Water Heater: Your water heater is a main source of your electric bill. Shower in cooler water, take a shorter shower, and wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot.
Light Bulbs: Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones and remember to turn the lights out when you leave the room. There is energy efficient halogen bulbs for your motion detector.
Fans: Fans cool people not rooms. If you leave a room, turn off the ceiling fan. If you are watching television, you can turn your thermostat up a couple of degrees and turn the fan on.
Refrigerator: Don't stand with the refrigerator door open while you are deciding what to eat. You know what is in there already.
Television: If you like to watch television while you are falling asleep, nearly every t.v. has a sleep button. Set it for a certain amount of time and the t.v. will turn off.
Computers: You are still paying for your computer to run even when it is on standby. If you are going to sleep or leaving for the day, shut down your computer.
Dishwasher: Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full. It will cost an average of .30 cents a load to run.
Both Chris Jensen & Debby Banning are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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