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windnovice
Starting Member
USA
32 Posts |
 Posted - 22/04/2008 : 23:01:28
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Just got to thinking about what kind of savings in electric bills everybody has seen from their investment of a wind turbine or solar system.
I know that from the use of larger wind turbines that you can purchase the savings can be quite noticeable, however i am curious as to what kind of savings us average Joe's who are building their own system have seen.
Oh and Superwindy, or anybody else this this pertains to, i am curious if you saw any kind of difference in your heating bill with your solar heater.
WN
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Capt Slog
Starting Member
United Kingdom
29 Posts |
Posted - 23/04/2008 : 09:55:03
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I don't think I will ever see a saving personally.
I think I spent around £100 on the turbine, which produces very little.
I spent £240 on a solar panel which produces a lot!
Batteries; one I had, one I bought off ebay, £50.
I've bought around £50 worth of LED MR16 spotlight bulbs, and that's what I'm using the power on.
OK, I make a small saving on the electric for light but I think it will take a long while to catch up.
IF I were to use the small inverter I have I might JUST run all the house lights (CFLs) and then I might see a saving fairly quickly, but that's a huge step for me and a worry about the wiring regulations needed.
So far it's been a hobby and I like the idea that I have a back-up. |
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ghurd
Junior Member
USA
274 Posts |
Posted - 23/04/2008 : 16:15:33
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This stuff has to be on a huge scale to see much savings.
I'll personaly never save enough to pay for the batteries with my small stuff.
No chance I'll save back what power my lathe used.
However, when you make you own power you have a good understanding of 'power'.
That leads to conserving power, and THAT is what saves the real money!
Common example: Build a windmill to run a simple light bulb. The windmill isn't as good as expected. Neither is the wind. Cheapest solution is use a CFL. That works pretty well. Then all the bulbs in the house get changed to CFL, and the electric bill goes down considerably. Money is saved.
Then the next windmill is bigger and better...
G- |
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Tim L
Starting Member
United Kingdom
43 Posts |
Posted - 23/04/2008 : 17:17:21
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"Then the next windmill is bigger and better..."
....until the local UK council oxygen thief comes round and starts playing Little Hitler...... No, it hasn't happened to me yet, but probably only because I'm still waiting for my 10ft fibreglass blades to arrive from Texas, so my own installation is currently a 20ft scaffolding pole (with medieval-standard crossbracing on it) sticking up with nothing on the top of it.
Having dismounted my old 9ft wooden prop I was appalled to see how much it had split in the recent gales and so am waiting to mount the real thing. I've bought a little winch too, so I don't break my back trying to raise the thing by hand like last time.
I read somewhere that the new UK central planning guidance increases permissible wind turbine no-planning-permission-required from 3 to 11 metres, but only with a 6 ft prop., so even if my own local council get real and change their rules I'll still be knackered on the diameter.
Note: A YouTube Video Is Not Necessarily Proof Of Anything At All
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpNp4l0qyY0 |
Edited by - Tim L on 23/04/2008 17:51:11 |
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windnovice
Starting Member
USA
32 Posts |
Posted - 23/04/2008 : 20:24:24
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I have to agree with you ghurd, i can tell since the time i have been researching and now onto the planning stage of my wind turbine build i have become a lot more energy conscious and started to take a look at what i can do around my house on a normal day to day basis.
I believe that by starting to learn what it takes and the process to go about building you own, i believe that in the future i will have the resources to build my own large scale turbine and will hopefully see a return on my investment.
I cant wait to actually get my first turbine built and see the results for myself!
If nothing else this is just a good way to become more eco friendly and have fun and learn something in the meantime.
WN |
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savings
