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The
most cost-effective way to reduce your utility bills is to reduce
your usage by installing more efficient lights and appliances, and
improving the insulation level of your home or business.
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We
recommend investing in conservation first, then wind power.
Many of our customers buy a home wind system after they have
reduced their bills as much as reasonably possible with efficiency
upgrades.
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To
learn about things you can do, ask your utility company to do an
energy audit, visit your local Home Depot or Lowe's for assistance and
recommendations, or use the web link at the bottom of this page for
advice from the U.S. Department of Energy.
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You
should also check your Yellow Pages under “Energy Management &
Conservation Consultants” or “Energy Conservation Products &
Services”.
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Although
we recommend conservation first, we also have many customers who
install our wind systems because they are an effective “one
shot” remedy to high utility bills.
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American
utilities are being deregulated and restructured on a state-by-state
basis. Deregulation is
opening the utility business for competition.
This will give you options for choosing your supplier and
should give you 10-15% lower rates.
But, in many States the progress is slow and the rules are
overly “utility-friendly.”
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Here’s
a quick test on wind power feasibility, assuming you don’t live in
a State with a subsidy program and you want to recoup your
investment in 15 years or less.
Given these conditions, you should consider wind power if:
1)
Your electricity costs more than 11 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
2) Your area has an average wind speed of 11
miles-per-hour (mph) or more, and,
3) You have one (1) acre of property or more.
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In
areas where wind power is not feasible, we recommend investigating
ground-source heat pumps or solar power systems.
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Here
at our web site you can calculate the performance and economics of a
Bergey wind system for your home or business … and you can even
learn how to buy it directly and install it yourself. |