Saving energy is definitely important and many people have turned to alternative forms of energy generation in order to save money. Wind turbines for the home are becoming one of the most popular ways to produce more energy off the grid and save money on energy costs. Within the last several years, the popularity of wind turbines for the home has increase. During 2008, the sales increased almost 80 percent.

A wind turbine connects energy produced by the wind turning the blade. This kinetic energy is converted to electricity which is then able to be used in the home. Your wind turbine will work in conjunction with your local utility. If the winds are below a certain speed (normally between 7 and 10 mph) your home's electrical system will rely on the local utility. If the turbine produces more energy than the house needs, your utility company will purchase the extra energy from you. The best part is, all of this is done automatically.

Now that you understand the benefits of wind turbines for the home, is a wind turbine the right investment for you? Your home and property need to meet a few requirements before a wind turbine becomes a viable option. It's recommended that you have at least an acre of property in order to have enough room for your turbine. A turbine needs to be put up on a 80 to 120 foot pole. Turbines also make noise (although newer models are much quieter than previous versions). For this reason, residential wind turbines may not be the best choice for close proximity homes and apartments.

If your home meets the space requirements, your next consideration is how big of a wind turbine you need to power your home. You need to determine how much power your home uses per year. For example, if your home uses about 9,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year you'll need a wind turbine that creates 5 to 15 kilowatts of power. This will help you make sure that your turbine is contributing to your power.

Your cost of investment can also be a factor in whether or not a wind turbine is right for you. A small turbine can be between $6,000 to $22,000, depending on the size of the turbine and the manufacturer's costs. It is estimated that it will take six to fifteen years for a homeowner to recoup the costs of the installation. Since a wind turbine can help keep energy costs low, the installation of one can actually add to the value of your home.

Alternatively, you can build your own wind turbine for under $500 and recoup the investment very quickly. By getting plans for a turbine and using PVC pipe and plywood you can install your own wind turbine. In addition to the supplies, you'll need some familiarity with basic power tools. Within a day or two, you can have your own wind turbine to supply your home with power and lower your energy costs.