| When considering whether to purchase a wind | | | | Another large consideration in deciding whether a |
| turbine, the first thing to look at is, do you have | | | | turbine is practical for the average wind velocity |
| wind resources available where you live. If you | | | | where you live is, how much will the turbine cost. |
| there is little wind at your property to start with, | | | | Many 1 KW turbines cost four or five thousand |
| there is little reason to start on the path of | | | | dollars and it may take several to power your |
| investigating a wind turbine. | | | | home. If you have fifteen thousand dollars tied up |
| Usually an average wind speed of 8 miles per | | | | in wind turbines, you will need considerable |
| hour is a starting point for making wind power | | | | "back-yard" wind resources to break even. |
| practical. If the average wind speed is below 8, | | | | Because of the prohibitive cost of a brand new |
| wind power is not practical. Take a look at a wind | | | | wind turbine, many ingenuitive home owners have |
| map of the United States and check the average | | | | decided to build their own turbine. |
| wind velocity of your region. For most specific | | | | The advantage of building your own turbine is |
| information, find data from a local weather station. | | | | drastically reduced cost. A home-built turbine can |
| Try Googling the name of your town and then | | | | be constructed for as little as $200. A number of |
| include the phrase "weather data." You should be | | | | individuals have been able to power their entire |
| able to find things like average wind velocity, | | | | home by constructing several of these turbines |
| average wind direction, precipitation etc. | | | | over a weekend or two. |