Windpower does it work for you

Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? How is it working? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years? Is it very noisy?
Many thanks
J

JusUK2 wrote:

Anyone already installed a turbine? How is it working? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years? Is it very noisy?
Yes. OK, but not great. Probably not. No.

But you probably wanted the long answer :-)
I have an Air-X, in a fairly windy location. I find that far too often it shuts down because the wind is too strong, so it's not generating nearly as much power as I expected. I can't see it paying for itself in pure $, but since I'm off-grid, I appreciate the alternative to the PV. It only gets noisy in strong gusty winds, and even then you only hear it if you're outside - and who'd want to be out in that weather. -- derek

"JusUK2" wrote in message

Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?

Do you ask that of everything you buy?
Mary

Mary Fisher wrote:

"JusUK2" wrote in message Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?
Do you ask that of everything you buy?

No, but it's still a fair question. So often this sort of product is being sold by a salesman who is telling you that it _will_ pay for itself - and it can, but not quickly in most cases -- derek

"Mary Fisher" wrote in message

"JusUK2" wrote in message Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?
Do you ask that of everything you buy?

No, but in this case it would be interesting.

The message from "Mary Fisher" contains these words:

Do you ask that of everything you buy?

Hello Mary, that's the problem is it not ? There are a few people who believe in what they wish to do on a matter of principle no matter what the cost. For most of us, we see the way we should be going, but are unwilling to go that way if it is to double costs, for example.
I am currently setting up a small transesterification plant to turn restaurant oil into diesel equivalent. I had hoped to run my vehicle on the fuel I produced, but when I looked into what was involved with the Customs and Excise boys it simply was not worth it. It would have cost me nearly as much as buying diesel from the pumps, plus miles of paperwork and being treated as a potential tax-avoiding criminal.
So I am going to use it to run my diggers and to heat the house, but the saving against duty is not going to be as attractive as using it to replace road fuel. Fuel for the digger and fuel for the furnace is currently around 36p per litre, whereas fuel for the car is nearly 90p per litre.
As usual the government is paying lip-service to environmental issues, except where they see it as a method of taxation, in which case they go bright green. Quarry tax, for example.
Rant over, -- All the best, Stubbsy

Yeah I have had mine up in Northern Arizona for about a year and a half now and it is working very well...especially in the spring and fall with the more constant wind velocity. I don't have a amp/watt totalizer as of yet so I can't tell you how much total wattage it has generated but it seems to be topping off the battery bank while the heavy lifting is done with PV array. I am guessing that with that in mind and with high current electrical prices you won't have to wait long to see the break-even on a $500 AirX unit. As for noise...it is quite a bit better than it's predecessors due to a computer designed blade meant to be fairly quiet. That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!
KMR

"Derek Broughton" wrote in message

Mary Fisher wrote:
"JusUK2" wrote in message Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?
Do you ask that of everything you buy?
No, but it's still a fair question. So often this sort of product is being sold by a salesman who is telling you that it _will_ pay for itself - and it can, but not quickly in most cases

And that's the problem with energy saving products, that they're sold on the basis of payback. It's not rational, when nothing else is sold like that.
I believe that we should put our money where our mouths are and install energy saving equipment for its own sake.
Mary

-- derek

"Gerald L R Stubbs" wrote in message

The message <44315383$0$906$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net from "Mary Fisher" contains these words:
Do you ask that of everything you buy?
Hello Mary, that's the problem is it not ? There are a few people who believe in what they wish to do on a matter of principle no matter what the cost.

I wouldn't say, "Whatever the cost". Some things would be totally prohibitive on cost grounds, as would be, for instance, buying a ruined castle by the Fishers in farthest-flung Scotland no matter how attractive it would be and even disregarding the neighbours ...

For most of us, we see the way we should be going, but are unwilling to go that way if it is to double costs,

But the question was about pay-back on a new installation, not doubling costs.

for example.
I am currently setting up a small transesterification plant to turn restaurant oil into diesel equivalent.

There are those who say you can use it neat, just pour it into your tank. I don't think that would work for long without gumming up the works but what do I know?

I had hoped to run my vehicle on the fuel I produced, but when I looked into what was involved with the Customs and Excise boys it simply was not worth it. It would have cost me nearly as much as buying diesel from the pumps, plus miles of paperwork and being treated as a potential tax-avoiding criminal.

Heaven forfend!

As usual the government is paying lip-service to environmental issues, except where they see it as a method of taxation, in which case they go bright green.

I couldn't agree more. Make the most of it :-)
But we're talking chalk and cheese here. A wind power plant isn't the same thing at all.
In January we installed a solar water heating panel. It works even when the air temperature is below freezing, we're delighted with it. But most people ask about the payback time and when I respond by asking about the pay back time of their new car, computer, television, cooker, coat or whatever they say that doesn't matter because they wanted it. Well, we wanted our solar water heater.
Payback is about marketing, nothing more. Those who ask about it are being influenced by advertisers whether they think they are or not.

Rant over,

Nice to see you haven't lost your touch ...
Mary

wrote in message

Yeah I have had mine up in Northern Arizona for about a year and a half now and it is working very well...especially in the spring and fall with the more constant wind velocity. I don't have a amp/watt totalizer as of yet so I can't tell you how much total wattage it has generated but it seems to be topping off the battery bank while the heavy lifting is done with PV array. I am guessing that with that in mind and with high current electrical prices you won't have to wait long to see the break-even on a $500 AirX unit. As for noise...it is quite a bit better than it's predecessors due to a computer designed blade meant to be fairly quiet. That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!

Is it any more noisy than the wind?
Mary

KMR

In article , mary.fisher@zetnet.co.uk says...

"Derek Broughton" wrote in message Mary Fisher wrote:
"JusUK2" wrote in message Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?
Do you ask that of everything you buy?
No, but it's still a fair question. So often this sort of product is being sold by a salesman who is telling you that it _will_ pay for itself - and it can, but not quickly in most cases
And that's the problem with energy saving products, that they're sold on the basis of payback. It's not rational, when nothing else is sold like that.
I believe that we should put our money where our mouths are and install energy saving equipment for its own sake.

Some of us simply don't have enough money to spend on warm fuzzy social statements, self-congratulation, or even environmental respect. That goes for lots of other areas, besides energy. For example, I wouldn't buy a sports car to look cool. Just about *everything* that I purchase is with practical use and efficiency in mind.
-- Want Freebies? http://www.TheFreeStuffList.com/ Check The Free Stuff List

"Mary Fisher" wrote:

In January we installed a solar water heating panel. It works even when the air temperature is below freezing, we're delighted with it...

Hi Mary,
I'm planning to install just such a panel this summer so I'd be interested in some anecdotal data. Such as: how much of your hot water needs does it supply? What temperatures does it achieve? During which months? How much do you use? And you say it works even in below-freezing temperatures, what do you mean by "works"? What sort of temperatures under these conditions?
Not wanting to subject you to an inquisition, but any information would be useful. If you know, I'd like to know what size panel yours is and what direction it faces, plus anything else you think might interest.
TIA
brian mitchell

where can you get the airX for $500? thanks FF
wrote in message

Yeah I have had mine up in Northern Arizona for about a year and a half now and it is working very well...especially in the spring and fall with the more constant wind velocity. I don't have a amp/watt totalizer as of yet so I can't tell you how much total wattage it has generated but it seems to be topping off the battery bank while the heavy lifting is done with PV array. I am guessing that with that in mind and with high current electrical prices you won't have to wait long to see the break-even on a $500 AirX unit. As for noise...it is quite a bit better than it's predecessors due to a computer designed blade meant to be fairly quiet. That's my story and I'm stickin to it!!
KMR

I disagree.
Many things are sold and bought on the basis of payback and cost.
And it's always a "fair" question if for no other reason than to decide what other type of energy savings device might be bought with the same scarce goods.
---- The difference between things like a TV or crock pot, and solar power, is that there is often an easily available substitute (grid power) than supplies the same good as solar power at a lower cost.
Certainly, you, personally should be able to choose what you want to buy at ANY price or rate of return. Part of the return may be your enjoyment of the device or the good feeling that you get by having it.

But, my concern, is that too often, folks want to spend MY money - often by taxing it from me or by giving tax reductions to others - and then spending it on their "feel good device" (sometimes PhotoVoltaic) when other expenditures - such as energy savings devices or insulation or wind power - have a much higher rate of return - but are not subsidised.
For personal choice you should buy whatever you want at whatever price you choose.
But, please, I implore you, DON'T SET PUBLIC POLICY in the commons to make me pay for your good feelings...



Mary Fisher wrote:

"Derek Broughton" wrote in message Mary Fisher wrote:
"JusUK2" wrote in message Hi,
Anyone already installed a turbine? Is it really going to pay for itself in a few years?
Do you ask that of everything you buy?
No, but it's still a fair question. So often this sort of product is being sold by a salesman who is telling you that it _will_ pay for itself - and it can, but not quickly in most cases
And that's the problem with energy saving products, that they're sold on the basis of payback. It's not rational, when nothing else is sold like that.
I believe that we should put our money where our mouths are and install energy saving equipment for its own sake.
Mary -- derek

On Ebay ..... :-)
"Frank" wrote in message

where can you get the airX for $500? thanks FF