Have you ever dreamed of generating your own electricity, right in your backyard? That dream could become reality with a residential wind turbine. Wind turbines won't work for everybody, but in the right conditions, they can provide part or all of the power you need to run your home electrical work. Read on to learn more about residential wind power and decide whether home generation is right for you.

Where the Turbines Turn

Wind turbines take up more space than solar panels, and they aren't as suitable for as many properties. For starters, wind turbines work best for homeowners who have at least an acre of property. The more open space you have between buildings and trees, the better. Additionally, they are usually a better option for people who live in rural areas and don't have stringent homeowners associations or local code issues to navigate.

Small, residential wind turbines can range anywhere from 30 to 140 feet tall, with the average being around 80 feet, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Generators usually have a capacity of between 2 and 10 kilowatts, depending on how much power the home needs and what the wind conditions are in the area. Turbines aren't cheap – costs can come in between $10,000 and $70,000 – but there are federal tax credits that help soften the blow, and you can usually recoup your investment in 6 to 30 years, depending on the specifics of your system.

The Power of Wind and Solar Combined

If you want to build in a layer of redundancy in your home power generation, you can combine a wind turbine with solar energy panels on your roof so you can create power in a larger variety of weather conditions. With a powerful storage battery, you'll be well on your way to eliminating electricity bills from your life.

For wind enthusiasts who are still on the grid, you can usually sell excess power that you generate back to your utility company, similar to how the process works for solar energy, helping to drive your electricity bills even lower. A solid turbine should last for at least 20 years, and hopefully much longer, although they do require yearly inspections to keep them running in peak condition.

The U.S. Government Has Your Back

The Department of Energy publishes a consumer guide for small wind electric systems packed full of even more information. If you are interested in learning more about home wind turbines, or need other electrical work performed, call up a trusted electrician today.

It happened just like I hoped it would. I had found an electrician in Glendale who was not only efficient at his job, he knew a lot about the area. I was not familiar with Glendale, California, but I was pleased to be outside of busy downtown LA. House sitting for friend who was in Europe gave me the opportunity to help her and enjoy a warmer climate for a month in the winter. The day after I arrived, I began having issues with the electricity. I could not use the coffee maker if the toaster or microwave was on, and a lot of the interior lights flickered. The house was at least 60 years old, and my friend was planning to remodel next spring. Through an email she gave her approval for me to find a Glendale electrician to solve the problem, at least whatever was necessary to keep me safe and cozy.

Even though it was easy to locate many companies by typing “electrician in Glendale CA.” into an online search, I had no idea how to pick the best one. Probably because I love to play with words, I chose to call The Electric Connection in Glendale; anyone who makes the most out of words and their meanings is fine by me. It was the perfect choice. The local Glendale electrician showed up right on time ready to perform major electrical troubleshooting, and as a bonus I got to learn more about Glendale. He shared with me his favorite places to visit. He was still very excited that he had recently been treated to a hot air balloon ride, and that started us talking about balloons.

My hometown is Albuquerque, so I proceeded to tell him about the International Balloon Fiesta that happens there every year. Talk about a whole new kind of light bulb! There is nothing like the night lit up by 600 plus hot air balloons as they all power up the propane and make the balloons glow simultaneously at least two or three evenings at each year’s event. They have other spectacular events too: races to win a car, special shapes, fireworks and early morning ascents into the sky. It is one of the most photographed annual events in the world. Those balloons may be powered by propane, but the event itself is electrifying.

We settled up that afternoon, after this very knowledgeable Glendale electrician had completed some electrical rewiring and a panel upgrade. He also provided an electrical bid at the owners request for an electrical spa hook up, some outdoor lighting, having a chandelier replaced in the dining room, and having some smoke detectors installed where they were needed. On top of that, he gave me the name of the place that provided balloon rides since I told him I had enjoyed several but would love to take one that offered a new landscape to witness. I shared with him information about the next balloon event back home. He seemed pretty intent on making it happen next October. Just a thought — I wonder if The Electric Connection would let this Glendale electrician bring his electrical tools with him when he visits. In the meantime, with my electrical problems solved, I am off to see Glendale from a point above.

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Here in Massachusetts, our electricians are used to handling all type of electrical systems and services. We also have our share of older homes, and with older homes come aging electrical systems. An expert upgrade provided by a trustworthy electrical contractor can offer your home various benefits.

If you’ve experienced issues with your electrical system recently, or even if your electrical system is functioning fine but depends on older technology, it could be time to seriously consider an electrical panel upgrade/ replacement. But what are the benefits of such an upgrade? We’ve shared a few advantages below.

You may not know it, but upgrading your electrical system might actually be legally necessary. This is because many older models no longer adhere to modern statutes and codes. Typically, if your panel still uses fuses and other outdated equipment, it probably isn’t up to code and will require a replacement.

Even more important than upgrading to legal building codes is protecting the safety of your home and your family. Old or worn electrical panels can cause an overload. This can short out your electricity and potentially even cause a fire. A newer electrical panel can provide increased safety for your home.

Today’s homes have an increasing amount of appliances and electronic devices in them. From plasma screen TVs to high-end computers and similar devices, our electrical systems play a larger role in our lives than ever before. As such, an improper electrical panel, you won’t be able to support the kinds of appliances you need to stay connected.

What you need is an up-to-date electrical panel that meets all of your electrical needs while keeping your home up to code and your family safe. Remember, electrical work can be dangerous, so don’t leave such an important project in the hands of amateurs. Also, do not be tempted to take this on as a “DIY” project, as this can do more harm than good.