How Do Wind Turbines Work and Can They Really Save Money?

The blades of a wind turbine need plenty of space to turn, and they can be noisy to run.

It's not a very loud noise, but a constant swishing of the blades which could be annoying. Unless your neighbours are very understanding and don't mind the noise or the sight of such a large structure next to their land then you have to take this into consideration.

Wind turbines work by using wind to turn the blades. These blades are attached to a rotor which turns a drive shaft. This then generates electricity. A battery is used to store excess electricity for days when there isn't sufficient wind speed to generate power.

The less wind the higher the tower needs to be for the blades to catch the wind. For example if you lived at the top of a hill the tower won't need to be as tall as if you lived in a sheltered valley.

You must determine your average wind speed and this can be done by using an anemometer. Take readings at the same time each day and then plot these findings onto a graph. Over time a picture will emerge of the average wind speed in your area.

Unlike the old style of windmill associated with grinding corn and pumping water, modern ones look similar to the propellers on an aircraft.

There are two types of wind turbine, horizontal axis and vertical axis. The most commonly used type is horizontal axis. As the name suggests, they rotate along a horizontal axis and are the most efficient type of wind turbine.

If you have limited space for a wind turbine you can get smaller versions which can still generate enough energy to power your low energy light bulbs.

Find out how you can build your own wind turbine using materials bought from your local diy store.

Wind turbines or wind generators are becoming a popular way to generate electricity. They are clean, safe to use and don't emit any CO2 gasses.

The giant wind turbines seen off shore or on flat areas of land can be seen in groups and known as wind farms. These can provide power for thousands of homes in the surrounding area.

Smaller domestic versions can be installed in the home and can save you significant money off your electricity bill. You must however be in an area that gets an average wind speed of 12mph and have at least an acre of land.