dsc.discovery.com— A small, affordable wind turbine available for the first time this September promises to help homeowners fight the rising cost of energy.
Aug 25, 2006View in Crawl 4
Fact is pollution is a greater threat to animals than windmills. A few birds will die but overall the numbers are insignificant. Also, what's this crap about squirrels?
There is another side of the "cost / benefit" coin, in that the costs of domestic fuel are going up dramatically (at least here in the UK.)Here, although we had deregulation a few years back, and there are numerous suppliers, some electricity prices have gone up 40% in the the last year. That drops a "12 year payback", to a "9 year payback". Sorry, no idea what other countries' prices are doing, but I suspect that they're not going down.If we believe (as I do) that prices are likely to go higher (reliance on fossil fuels, political instability in current "cheap producer" regimes, increasing demand brought on by growth of Chinese and Indian economies), then perhaps these won't feel so stupid after all. I don't particularly feel that we'll run out of fuel (Canadian tar sands reserves bigger than Saudi's field reserves) in a hurry, but the cost of extraction of those types of fuels is going to go way up, which with the growth in demand is only going to force prices higher.Would I fit one to my existing house at the moment - probably not.If (as I hope to) I build a new house in the new 3-4 years, then I'll definitely be considering some form of local power generation.
Too loud, not the proper aesthetic, doesn't give my back yard that golfy course look I was after, come on down to my neighborhood and suck in a big ole heaping helping of airborne mercury, and CO2 from one of the 3 coal burners we have. Wind power, solar power, we need to get off our asses and embrace alternatives. "but what about the birds???" come on down to my neighborhood, and see how we trap plenty in the high wires on any of those plants. So what's a lung full of mercury contribute to your bottom dollar? hmmm? Peace
I applaud your wise remark Mark. Better to learn how to make a 1 pound loaf of bread from a teaspoon of material.I've stood right under a SW Wind 3.7 a week earlier @ 33 ft below and enjoyed the soothing Buzzz as it twirled in a 35 mph steady stream of air (not too loud at all).... Contacted the guy last week and he reports a 40% pocket increase. He is tied in with SW W selling the Gen w/blades and electronics for $5,400. Actually seen em for 500 less. He has happily received my interest to drive back and take a closer look at the tronics and supply setup. I'll take a closer look at his cars for sale too while I'm there.So far... It is a comfortable Humming/ Buzzing sound at 33ft up. 40% savings.... don't know.
saintlinkAug 26, 2006
I wonder what the local zoning rules are for this device, if they even exist? Bookmarked, perhaps a good second-choice compared to solar.
rockefellerAug 26, 2006
@ 0crabby0It's a water heater, not a "hot water heater."I mean, what would be the point of heating water that is already hot?
grimboyAug 26, 2006
Fact is pollution is a greater threat to animals than windmills. A few birds will die but overall the numbers are insignificant. Also, what's this crap about squirrels?
grimboyAug 26, 2006
Oh, sorry everybody has upset you Mr. Pednant.(I can hear your blood boiling due to the misspelling above from here.)
daikenAug 26, 2006
Interesting. Dunno if it can hold through Canadian winters though. Plus I don't like the idea of having a giant lightning rod in my backyard.
markharrisonAug 26, 2006
There is another side of the "cost / benefit" coin, in that the costs of domestic fuel are going up dramatically (at least here in the UK.)Here, although we had deregulation a few years back, and there are numerous suppliers, some electricity prices have gone up 40% in the the last year. That drops a "12 year payback", to a "9 year payback". Sorry, no idea what other countries' prices are doing, but I suspect that they're not going down.If we believe (as I do) that prices are likely to go higher (reliance on fossil fuels, political instability in current "cheap producer" regimes, increasing demand brought on by growth of Chinese and Indian economies), then perhaps these won't feel so stupid after all. I don't particularly feel that we'll run out of fuel (Canadian tar sands reserves bigger than Saudi's field reserves) in a hurry, but the cost of extraction of those types of fuels is going to go way up, which with the growth in demand is only going to force prices higher.Would I fit one to my existing house at the moment - probably not.If (as I hope to) I build a new house in the new 3-4 years, then I'll definitely be considering some form of local power generation.
geogjimAug 26, 2006
Too loud, not the proper aesthetic, doesn't give my back yard that golfy course look I was after, come on down to my neighborhood and suck in a big ole heaping helping of airborne mercury, and CO2 from one of the 3 coal burners we have. Wind power, solar power, we need to get off our asses and embrace alternatives. "but what about the birds???" come on down to my neighborhood, and see how we trap plenty in the high wires on any of those plants. So what's a lung full of mercury contribute to your bottom dollar? hmmm? Peace
hermitwiseAug 28, 2006
I just worry about squirrels..
jbiggs12Apr 23, 2007
Isn't word placing and of grammar important in the English? Start making sense, please....
tubular78May 5, 2008
I applaud your wise remark Mark. Better to learn how to make a 1 pound loaf of bread from a teaspoon of material.I've stood right under a SW Wind 3.7 a week earlier @ 33 ft below and enjoyed the soothing Buzzz as it twirled in a 35 mph steady stream of air (not too loud at all).... Contacted the guy last week and he reports a 40% pocket increase. He is tied in with SW W selling the Gen w/blades and electronics for $5,400. Actually seen em for 500 less. He has happily received my interest to drive back and take a closer look at the tronics and supply setup. I'll take a closer look at his cars for sale too while I'm there.So far... It is a comfortable Humming/ Buzzing sound at 33ft up. 40% savings.... don't know.