| Have you taken a look at your electric bill recently? | | | | 1. Wind dependence. Windmills can only perform at |
| Chances are you probably went out of your mind with | | | | their maximum potential when they are situated in |
| disbelief. The amount you pay for your electric | | | | areas that have wind of at least 10 km/h in speed. At |
| consumption is just too much. Thus, you are thinking of | | | | wind speeds lower than this, windmills will not be able |
| alternative sources of power for your home. If so, one | | | | to function at all, and you may have to purchase |
| of the sources you should be considering is windmills. | | | | stand-by electric power from a local electric company. |
| Let's shed light on windmills as we consider their | | | | 2. Less electricity. Windmills are able to produce an |
| benefits and drawbacks. | | | | amount of electrical power that is less than that which |
| BENEFITS: | | | | can be produced by other sources. Thus, to make a |
| 1. Environmentally friendly. The use of windmills as | | | | bigger impact, like to power a larger than average |
| power source does not hurt the environment. It is low | | | | American household, for example, there will be a need |
| on by-products such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur | | | | for more windmills. However, the amount of electricity |
| dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), dust, cinders and | | | | produced by windmills should not be a problem for |
| ashes. It also does not emit harmful fumes and smoke. | | | | small to average sized American households. On the |
| 2. Low maintenance and operations cost. As long as a | | | | other hand, if the electricity produced is more than |
| windmill is properly constructed, it can run unattended | | | | what the household can consume, the extra power |
| for long periods of time. Operating it also incurs hardly | | | | can be sold to utility companies. |
| any cost at all as it only needs wind for it to run, and | | | | 3. Construction costs. Building windmills for your home |
| wind is absolutely free. | | | | can be very costly. You will probably need to do some |
| 3. Continuous power. Windmills, when combined with | | | | number crunching so that you can determine whether |
| solar energy, can become a great source of | | | | the windmill will be able to pay for itself in time, or |
| inexpensive, steady, and dependable power for your | | | | whether it will be one of those losing investments that |
| home. One source can work when the other can't | | | | none of us need. There are also some concerns |
| because of climate conditions. For example, on sunny | | | | about the wildlife in the area that can be endangered |
| days, your solar power system can work at its best. | | | | by the construction of the windmill. |
| When it gets cloudy and windy, however, you can shift | | | | 4. Noise pollution. The noise that a windmill produces is |
| to your windmill for a continuous source of energy. If | | | | comparable to that of a small jet engine. This may not |
| you are considering this, it will be a good idea for you | | | | be appreciated by your neighbors, especially if you live |
| to get familiar with companies that can offer you | | | | in sub-urban communities. |
| extensive information on wind and solar power | | | | Now that you are seeing windmills in a clearer light, you |
| systems, such as Earth for Energy. You can also surf | | | | will be able to easily determine whether or not |
| the web for an article that is dedicated to Earth for | | | | windmills are the answer to your search for an |
| Energy review. | | | | alternative source of energy for your home. |
| DRAWBACKS: | | | | |