Idiot-proof Instructions to Build a Windmill

Looking to go green? Here are 8 ways you can help preserve the environment. You might even save yourself some money in the process!

1. Buy energy saving light bulbs. You can find these at any discount store. They cost a little more initially, but they use less electricity and last several times longer than traditional light bulbs. As your traditional bulbs burn out, simply replace them one by one with an energy saving bulb.

2. Recycle. Most municipalities now have a recycle program you can participate in. If not, then collect your recyclables and make a trip to your town's recycling center once or twice a month. Aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and paper are the most common items accepted. Be sure and clean the items before you recycle them!

3. Carpool. Organize a carpooling club in your neighborhood and take turns driving your neighbors to run errands, go out to eat, go to the ballgame, etc. You can even take turns picking up kids if they go to the same school. Carpooling isn't just for work anymore! Plus, you get to know your neighbors better and make new friends.

4. Be smart about running appliances. If the weather is cold, then that's the time to wash clothes, bake cookies, and run the dishwasher. It will help heat up your house without having to turn on the heat. In warm weather, use those appliances after the sun goes down so your air conditioner doesn't have to compete with the heat from those appliances.

5. Turn out the lights. If you leave a room, turn off the lights and the t.v. It seems like common sense, but many people are forgetful and don't realize they are costing themselves money every time they leave the light on.

6. Install a screen door. Use the breeze to cool your house without having to use the air conditioner. It also keeps cold air from coming in the front door during the winter.

7. Wrap your windows. Use kits available at discount stores to add shrink wrap to your windows, especially in winter. It will help insulate your windows and save on your heating bill. The wrap is transparent so you don't even know it's there!

8. Add your own alternative renewable sources to your home. Add solar panels or build a windmill. These are easy projects to do yourself and can lower or even eliminate your electric bill.

Do these 8 things and you'll not only preserve the environment, but also save hundreds on your bills this year!

By A. Abhishek

Wind power is conversion of energy from the wind to be used productively in many ways. There are many machines, wind turbines, which transform the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy by converting it. The mechanical energy then works with the kinetic energy so that it becomes balanced into a mechanical system. Once this mechanical energy is turned into electricity this system is then known as a wind turbine.

Horizontal Axis and Vertical Axis are the two different types of wind turbines that can be found. The Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine is the more popular of the two and features a main rotor shaft and a generator which are located at the top of the turbine. There is a gearbox attached to most of these turbines, so that more electricity can be generated by the quicker turning of the blades. The turbine are tall towers with blades which create turbulence for power, and turn either upwards or downwards. In high winds, upward blades can crack and breakdown as they are not able to withstand these conditions for too long. Downward blades are in line and face the wind so they last longer. They are even durable against the high winds so do not break which helps to keep down the cost.

The Different Types of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines

Windmills - They usually consist of four or more blades that are normally short. There are some that are made up of wood and were first used to grind up grain. Winds rotate the mechanism of the blades which turned a mill that the grains ran through so that it was crushed.

Rural Windmills - These originated from Australia and were later built all over the U.S.A. Farmers found these windmills useful in pumping water into the fields and electricity for the barns. There are several blades on this type of windmill, which are still in use today and can be seen in the fields. So that electricity could be carried for lighting or even a radio, they were constructed using metal.

Modern Turbines - These are used today and what we see standing in our fields. The features are of three blades which become pointed towards the ends. The reasons for this unusual shape is after trials and testing, they proved to be the strongest for exceeding up to 6 times more wind velocity, which allowed for high efficiency and was more reliable.

This sort of wind turbine has many advantages including being bendable, durable, it has stability, is strong and also tall. On the other end, the disadvantages are that they are not as in huge demand, they are unable to operate if they are too close to the ground, installing them is a difficult job as well as transporting them by sea. There are also concerns that they can affect radar, and they can suffer from strutual damage during high storms and with wear and tear.

So as you can see, there are good and bad points to buying and installing these types of turbines. They do work so whether you choose to have one or several if you own a field is up to you. They are good to help generate electricity and many other things that we would might well have to do without.

By Dean Lee

There is a general push in recent years to research and develop alternative energy sources. Two of the main options are solar and wind power. Both are effective as renewable energy sources. This article focuses on wind power and gives 10 quick facts about wind-generated electricity.

1. The utilization of wind power has been around for over 900 years. Ruins of vertical wind tower bases were found in France that dated back to 1150.
2. Large wind turbines can generate enough electricity to supply around 600 homes. These types of windmills are usually placed in areas of high wind activity usually tens but sometimes hundreds at a time.
3. A small windmill can generate enough electricity to supply a single home or small business. The amount of power generated depends on wind activity and the length of the blades, but at the very least a windmill can help to reduce power costs.
4. Vertical windmills generate 50% more electricity than horizontal windmills. This is because vertical wind turbines are able to catch wind in any direction, not just in the one that the windmill is pointed at.
5. A complaint about windmills is that the blades kill birds and other flying animals, but more animals die from running into cars, power lines, and high-rise buildings than from getting caught in a wind turbine.
6. From 2000 to 2006, the number windmills has quadrupled across the world. Globally, countries had the capacity to generate more than 70,000 megawatts last year. To put this into perspective, a single megawatt is enough to power approximately 250 homes.
7. Germany is the most wind-powered country. Following Germany, is Spain, the US, India, and Denmark.
8. California generates the most wind power in the United States. America as a hole generates around 17 billion kilowatts of electricity every year.
9. Generating enough wind power for your home can make you money. A typical residential home uses around 10,000 kilowatts every year. If your windmill generates excess electricity, the power company will buy that electricity from you. This only works if your windmill is tied to your main power line.
10. Wind power is actually a type of solar power. Wind is generated as the atmosphere of the earth is heated and cooled. As these hot and cold regions meet, it causes air to move.
Wind power is mainstay in terms of renewable energy alternatives. As more research is done and it becomes cheaper to install a windmill, it will become imperative for residences and businesses to implement this technology to become more environmentally friendly, but also economically more sound.

Besides wind energy, our planet produced another great source of energy--solar energy.

With energy sources depleting at a rate faster than they are being built, it is only wise that we use the abundant energy available for free - the solar energy. Apart from the easy availability, solar energy helps control environmental pollution. Most of us shy away from installing solar power solutions at home thinking them to be expensive and cumbersome. You will, however, be surprised to know how easy it is to employ these power solutions. Moreover, these will help cut down your power bills. Finally, you will be delighted to know tat you are doing your bit to save power for the future generations.

This article will explore the various solar power options available for home use.

Solar cooker: A solar cooker is a cooking utensil that uses absolutely no fuel for cooking. You can cook food for up to five people in the small box. If you are thinking that using a solar cooker will reduce your chances of spreading up a varied platter on the dining table, you will be surprised to know that you can not only boil food items in the cooker but also roast and bake! The only limitation with the solar cooker is the time it takes to cook. However, given the free source of energy it uses, this is a great option for cutting down those sky-rocketing bills and saving some power.

Solar home lighting: A solar home lighting system converts solar energy into electrical energy for your home. This is done via cells that are charged with solar energy. So, in the night, if you wonder how the lights are on in the house, it is because of the solar energy stored in the solar cells. You can install the solar home lighting system in your house and not worry about the electricity bills anymore.

Solar heating system: Installing a solar heating system in your home helps cutting down your electricity bill along with saving the world's quickly-exhausting power. If you are worried that a solar heating system will turn your sweet home into a gadget house or that it will be an expensive investment, your concerns are misplaced. Companies providing solar power solutions for homes make it a point to install aesthetically-pleasing heating systems in your house. As per as expenditure is concerned, investing in a solar heating system is wise because you get a return on your investment within 3-4 years, giving you absolutely free service after that.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill. Get our complete guide at the earth4energy home page.