It all depends on the wind.
Do house wind turbines really work? The answer is a very reserved “yes.” With solar power creeping into record territory, small wind power for residential use tends to get lost in the sun (bad pun intended). It really depends on the need and scale of use. They even make compact turbines to power RVs, so it also depends on your definition of “home”.
It is important to note that a 1 kW turbine is a measure of “peak” power, not necessarily what you get from it. The more useful number to look at is annual or monthly energy production, measured in kilowatt-hours. In a carefully chosen position, a 1 kW turbine could feasibly produce 200 kWh per month, or about 2,400 kWh per year. That equates to less than a quarter of the average US state’s energy consumption.
None of this is to say that wind turbines are poor power producers – it just depends on the wind. If you live in an area with annual wind speeds averaging 14+ mph, this is something worth checking out. If not, or if windy days are sharp or even average, maybe not so much. A 1 kW system is feasible, but it’s best to look at it in terms of adding power to an already efficient home.
Placement determines whether it works
A wind turbine for a home practically requires a high average wind speed that is consistent from month to month. Houses with many trees, surrounded by other houses, behind hills or with large boats do not need to apply. Not only do these obstacles block the wind, but they also create turbulence, which reduces output and accelerates turbine wear. The Department of Energy’s small wind guidance recommends placing the floor of the rotor at least 30 feet above any obstacle within 300 horizontal feet of the tower.
This recommendation alone tells you all you need to know about placing a wind turbine in a suburban neighborhood. It will make for some interesting conversations at the neighbor’s house, and little else. Worse, most local zoning rules limit structures to about 35 feet, and wind turbines often require much more to clear trees and roofs. A roof installation option sounds great on paper, but it can transmit vibrations and noise directly into your roof, a nice side effect while you’re trying to catch some Zs before work.
If you’re sold on wind power, look over your area’s wind map, check local zoning and utility rules, and do a thorough assessment of your site’s obstacles and average wind direction. It’s also a good idea to get an installer to estimate the overall production before spending your hard-earned dough.
A whole house turbine needs much more capacity
If your home is a small, economical small cabin or a permanently parked RV, a 1kW wind turbine is certainly an option. However, it is not enough to disturb a typical American home. The average household uses about 10,500 kWh of electricity per year (about 850 kWh per month), and a residential turbine in the 5 kW to 15 kW range is needed to put a dent in that electricity consumption.
Cost is another reason to proceed with some caution. It will run the average consumer between $20,000 and $50,000 to install a wind turbine. Installing solar panels with the same energy production in mind is about $2,500 to $3,500, and that’s before incentives are calculated.
A grid-connected system typically also requires an inverter and can offset some utility usage when the wind blows. Off-grid systems require batteries and a charge controller to store electricity. For the majority of suburban dwellers, improving the insulation and throwing in some ground or roof mounted solar panels gives more reliable, solid results. If you want to go the wind route, it makes the most sense in open, rural areas that have verified average wind speeds and a place to put your tower.