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| Residential Renewable Energy |
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Residential renewable energy, or "green", technology has become a boom industry in recent years. Although it may take decades for our national power grid to switch over to renewable energy (and until then we are stuck with ever-increasing power bills), green energy technology can be implemented on a small scale to power an individual household. Consequently, many homeowners have begun exploring the possibility of installing renewable energy systems in their homes or on their property. The biggest roadblock to free, renewable energy, however, is the high initial startup costs. Wind turbines or solar cells cost at LEAST three thousand dollars to have professionally installed, and the prices only go up from there. True, residential renewable energy systems are a sound investment—they will pay for themselves in a few years through power bill savings, and increase the property value of your home—but many homeowners can't spare the money for the initial financial investment. Consequently, may people have begun building DIY (Do It Yourself) renewable energy systems for their homes. Wind turbines have emerged as the most popular, most common DIY power generators. Hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass renewable power systems are too difficult, if not impossible, to achieve on a small scale and a limited budget. Solar power systems are more feasible on a small scale, but the key equipment—solar cells—remain expensive and are difficult and complicated to install. Wind turbines, however, are relatively simple technologically, and the equipment needed to build one is easily accessible and relatively inexpensive compared to other green energy systems. So how do you go about building your own DIY wind generator? There are several ways you can go about it, each with a different cost. The first, cheapest option is to scour the internet for instructions on how to construct a DIY wind generator. Although this information is free, keep in mind that there is no quality control on the internet, and the information is potentially unreliable. Working with electricity is inherently dangerous, and a single missing step in the free instructions found on a blog could result in permanently damaged equipment, fire hazards, and personal injury. Only go this route if you are tradesman with experience working with electricity—preferably a licensed electrician. The next option is to buy a complete, professional written and edited manual for building a DIY wind generator. If you cannot find such a book in your local book store, you'll easily find them on the internet. You'll have a wide range to books, manuals, and instructional videos at a wide range of prices to choose from, although most are under $50. The next step up in expense are DIY wind generators that include the instructions AND materials. You just have to assemble it yourself. If you can afford such a package, you'll find is easier, quicker, and safer to build yourself than if you have to scrounged for the right parts and troll the internet for reliable instructions. This is probably the best option if you have little experience working with home renovation and electricity. Finally, keep in mind that you'll still have to buy the equipment, tools, and materials to build a DIY wind generator, regardless of how much the instructions cost you. However, the materials costs of a DIY wind generator (which can cost hundreds of dollars) are still far cheaper then a professionally installed system (which can run into the thousands). |