• ind turbines require little maintenance and are fairly simple pieces of equipment.wind turbine in wales image by thomas owen from Fotolia.com
  
  Residential wind turbines convert wind power into kinetic energy. The kinetic energy is then converted to electricity for home use. Wind turbines require little maintenance and are fairly simple pieces of equipment requiring only a rotor, generator, support structure and usually a tail. According to the American Wind Energy Association, wind turbines can reduce your energy bills by 50 to 90 percent and can offset 200 tons of greenhouse gases during its life, which can be up to 20 years. Before purchasing a residential wind turbine, make sure you are aware of all the requirements.
  
  

Wind Speeds

• The amount of energy your residential wind turbine produces depends largely upon the amount and speed of wind available in your location. Wind energy is usually best along coastlines, on hills, flat land, in northern states and in winter. The AWEA states that usually it is not required to spend a year taking wind measurements before you install a wind turbine because information from the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient.
  
  

Where You Live

• Because of the relatively large size of a residential wind turbine, the AWEA does not recommend installing one if you live in a heavily populated area. Urban areas and suburbs that have many small-lot homes will usually not be cost effective because of poor production of wind energy. The buildings and structures will intervene with wind patterns and make your wind source unreliable. To use an elevated wind turbine the AWEA recommends that you have at least 1 acre or more of property, live on a mostly flat piece of land and in a remote area. An 80- to 120-foot tower will meet most of your energy needs.
  
  

Wind Turbine Sizes

• According to the AWEA, the average house uses about 9,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, or 780 kWh per month. Therefore, the AWEA recommends a 5- to 15-kilowatt residential wind turbine system to meet this demand. The exact location of your home and the amount of wind resources available will further determine the size of the turbine your home will require. The cost of a turbine decreases as the system increases in physical size. Depending upon the size, an installed residential wind turbine can cost $6,000 to $22,000. You will usually receive your investment back within six to 15 years.
  
  

Towers

• The taller the tower, the less turbulence you will receive from obstacles such as trees and buildings. Also, the higher you are from the ground, the more that wind speed will increase. Different manufacturers use different types of towers. A guyed-lattice tower is the least expensive. Lattice or tubular towers are more expensive but take up less room and are more attractive. You should avoid aluminum towers because they are prone to cracking.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Before purchasing and installing a residential wind turbine, it is highly recommended to check with your local government office and see whether any local permits are required. Also, it is important to discuss your plans with your neighbors to avoid any unnecessary opposition and conflicts. Many people do not have a thorough understanding of wind turbines and will have concerns.