Imagine how much better the world and the environment would be if we used the resources that we have in order to generate energy.  Generating your own power from the wind is an exceptional way to save money and help reserve other resources.  There are locations such as Southern Wyoming where the average wind speed is 21 miles per hour.  This type of circumstance would be ideal for generating wind power.  

There are several ways to turn wind power into wind energy.  The resource can then be converted into power that can help other forms that need electricity.  Using a tool called wind turbines is a wonderful way to generate power through wind electricity.  Most of the wind power is converted into energy by using turbine blades.  The blades are then transformed into an electrical source through an electrical generator. 

Wind power was first introduced in 1999 and has increased greatly since 2005.  Most types of wind power are used by people in Europe.  The total amount of worldwide wind powered accumulation was 58,982 megawatts.  Twenty-three percent of this was accumulated in 2005 and was spoken for in Denmark, while Germany contributed six percent, and Spain reportedly had eight percent.  The growing concerns for the environment all over the world will probably contribute to utilizing wind power into making affordable and safe energy.  

Windmills are the oldest method of using wind power, but the modern concept is the technically the same.  Wind energy is very useful in locations with wind farms.  Wind farms have electrical grids to serve a large populated area.  However, wind farms can also be small for rural areas or small communities.  An added benefit of wind power is that it is recyclable, extremely powerful, clean, good for the environment, and it has to ability to start the greenhouse effect.  Wind is very dependant on the greenhouse gasses as a way of making alternative methods of electrical energy.  

There are several things to consider when you are purchasing a wind generator.  Wind power generators have to be fairly tall in order to have the best wind count.  Most home associations and town governments have restrictions on how tall a structure can be.  Make sure that you check with your local city or town’s policy before making the commitment.  Some areas are also not ready for wind power.  You need to check that your purchase will provide the services that you are looking for, or else it will be a large waste of money.  

Wildlife is also another factor in choosing a wind generator.  Wind power sources have a very bad reputation for harming birds.  This is basically a chance situation, that rarely happens.  However, if there is a bird sanctuary in your area, then you might have to check the policy of installing a wind power source.  Wind generators may not be enough to provide power by itself.  Wind power sources can be combined with other solar options to generate free power.  There is no use in paying for power when you can make your own.

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What are the characteristics that make a house “energy-efficient”?  According to the United States government there are four main criteria.  First, a thermal envelope that is tightly sealed.  Second, effective insulation (high R-value).  Third, efficient ventilation.  Fourth, lower than average utility bills for heating and cooling that result from the other three factors.  Let’s take a brief look at each of these.

First, what is a thermal envelope?  It’s all the exterior components of the house, and the additional materials that are used to protect the house from the weather outside.  This includes the roof, the framing, the exterior siding, the insulation, the vapor barrier, the windows and the foundation.

Second, let’s look at energy-efficient insulation and R-value (which measures heat transfer).  Most local building codes have a minimum requirement for insulation.  Usually, only the walls and ceilings are required to be insulated.  But an energy-efficient house will have insulation in its floors and foundation, too.  And the R-value will be higher than the building code requires.  For instance, instead of R-11 insulation in the walls, R-30 would be used.

Third, what is efficient ventilation?  It’s a way of controlling the air flow so that the thermal envelope maintains its seal, but moisture does not build up and create mold.  Ventilation is important not only to maintain the integrity of the building materials, but to maintain a healthy indoor environment.  It affects air quality and indoor pollution.  If the house is not properly ventilated, poor air quality can create health hazards.

Fourth, let’s take a look at how the first three items can lower your average utility bills for heating and cooling.  The thermal envelope includes effective weather stripping and insulated windows, as well as energy-efficient siding and roofing materials.  The quality of insulation has a direct effect on how much heat escapes on cold days or how much cool air escapes on hot days.  Controlled ventilation maintains a balance between healthy air flow and the escape of too much hot or cold air.  When all of these elements are working as they should, smaller energy-efficient furnaces and air conditioners can be used.  This translates directly into lower utility bills and less impact on the environment.

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