Switching over to wind energy grants numerous benefits. However, there are many things one should consider before determining which wind turbine is the most appropriate for his needs. Ideally, one could buy a wind turbine system which can be set up and would require very little maintenance for a long period of time.

The next 8 issues must be considered:

1. Power requirements: before purchasing a wind turbine system, you must determine what are your power requirements and the energy savings you want to achieve, and whether it is feasible with such a system.

2. Average wind speeds in your area: the power that a wind turbine can potentially generate directly depends on wind speeds in the area it will be placed in. Before buying a wind turbine, go to the US Department of Energys website and look for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy section which provides information on wind availability for various regions of the country. If you reside in an area with weak winds, then a wind turbine may not be suitable for your needs.

3. Quality: ideally, a wind turbine will be used for decades. Consequently, it is important that the system that is selected does not require a lot of maintenance. As is often the case, a high quality system offers just that.

4. Manufacturer warranty: it is an interesting observation that some manufacturers offer a longer period of warranty. Other than the obvious benefit, this is an indication of the confidence it places in its products.

5. Brand name: brands often gain their status because of the superior quality of their product (often, but not always). Consequently, investigating specific brands might be a wise course of action. Fortunately, these days it is easier than ever by checking relevant internet forums. Additionally, asking a specialist for advice might be wise as well.

6. Advice from people who have gone through the process: nothing beats experience, and so asking the advice of people who have installed or used wind turbines can be invaluable. Forum websites can enable you to contact people whom have gone through the process. Even the best products may have issues, and no one would be more qualified to give an advice than a person who has tried to use a product ” for better or worse.

7. Setup costs: setup costs are very high (up to 40%) when dealing with wind turbine systems. These include wiring as well as structural modification to your land/roof.

8. Residential usage: some wind turbines simply cannot be used in residential homes for various reasons (usually size). This should be taken into account.

In our next article, we will survey various types of wind turbines and who may benefit the most from them.