Sandra asks…
What is the problem with windmills?
They are not that expensive, and are extremely energy efficient… why aren’t there more windmills?
What is stopping people from buying them?
From building them, not buying them. Sorry
admin answers:
When it’s really big it makes a “swish swish” sound when it turns.
Hopefully in the near future on top of every house there’ll be some solar panels or small wind turbines.
Other efficient and clean energy source include nuclear power plants. Renewable energy can also be tidal, geothermal power plants.
In my opinion in search for cheap, clean and efficient energy a nuclear power plant is the easiest way to go for the next 25 years.
Ken asks…
How can I make my house 100% energy-neutral (consumption of energy=production of energy)?
My senior project is going to involve this. I plan to cover the roof in solar panels, and maybe install a windmill, but I need other ideas as far as what I could do right in the yard/back yard (living in suburbs of Missoula, MT with little wind). I know about installing low-flow toilets and sinks or the efficient light bulbs… what else could I do on a smaller budget?
admin answers:
If you don’t get much wind, a wind turbine isn’t going to be a cost-effective installation. I would look at a geothermal system instead.
Deciduous trees (that is, trees that lose their leaves in the winter) are a great and cost-effective way of lowering utility costs. They shade your home in the summer months with a dense canopy of leaves, and allow sun to pass through and warm your home in the winter when they’re bare. They also respond exactly to your specific climate. If spring comes earlier, they’ll put out leaves earlier in response. Same for fall.
Laura asks…
What kind of alternative energy to use?
I am looking to invest in either solar panels or a small windmill for my house. Which one should I use? Is one more efficient than the other?
i live in southwest michigan
admin answers:
Something that might help aid on your system choice finances would be government incentives.
Sharon asks…
how to lower $600 usd electricity bill?
Are electricity bill are average of $600 a month. All our lights have already been switched to compact fluorescent and use dimmers almost all the time. we turn lights off when not in use. We never use the air condition or heater since our house has really good insulation, double pane windows uv glazed. Our house is average 5700 square feet. We never use the dishwasher or trash compactor. Energy efficient refrigerator (subzero). We close refrigerator right after use.We also stopped using the bar and wine chiller.
What other methods beside turning off washer and dryer. Cannot install solar power panel or windmill because of HOA
Do you have any ideas in lowering our bill?
admin answers:
Your house is 5700 square feet, and you want to lower your electric bill? I have no idea how man y people live in your house, but my first guess is you have too much house…so…
[some of these suggestions work even if you keep your house completely in use]
First, calculate how many rooms you really use on a daily basis. Close off all of those not used, including blocking the plumbing and heating/cooling, and shutting off electricity. If possible, the rooms that are remaining in use should be as centralized as possible, and as close to the mechnical and plumbing “heart” of the house as possible. If you have recirculating hot water plumbing (which, in a house that size, I expect you do), turn it off. Try to make all those extra areas fairly “airtight” by blocking or taping around doors and windows, and caulking at the ceiling and behind the baseboards. With a house that size, I am guessing you have a pool, and probably a spa. If you can use solar water heating, do so, if not, at least get a pool blanket and/or spa cover. If they are not in use for part of the year, drain them. Turn your water heater(s) down to 120F. Replace water heater(s) with Marathon (or similar) high efficiency water heater(s). Replace heating and cooling systems with systems sized to your newly reduced square footage. Replace heating and cooling systems with ground loop heat pump. If you live in the desert, consider a Coolerado A/C. Consider replacing all of your landscaping lighting with motion sensor lighting, or solar-LED lighting as appropriate. Replace outdoor incandescent with CFL, or hi or low pressure sodium vapor lamps (even better, though not electrical saving, consider “night sky friendly” lighting).
Sandy asks…
How to lower $600 electricity bill a month?
Are electricity bill are average of $600 a month. All our lights have already been switched to compact fluorescent and use dimmers almost all the time. we turn lights off when not in use. We never use the air condition or heater since our house has really good insulation, double pane windows uv glazed. Our house is average 5700 square feet. We never use the dishwasher or trash compactor. Energy efficient refrigerator (subzero). We close refrigerator right after use.We also stopped using the bar and wine chiller.
What other methods beside turning off washer and dryer. Cannot install solar power panel or windmill because of HOA
Do you have any ideas in lowering our bill?
admin answers:
Most power companies offer an energy audit. Take advantage of it and call them. We can only offer possibilities. They can give you facts.
Carol asks…
Can you explain this Physics situation involving wind turbine?
If a boat was in the water and it had a windmill on top of it facing into the wind and the rotating windmill turned a propeller that was in the water (through any necessary gears), but in the opposite direction, would it travel into the direction of the wind?
You can assume that the energy transfer is 100% efficient from the wingmill to the propeller.
Could you explain this in terms of energy or by newtons laws?
A few other things:
The boat has no air resistance or drag force from the water.
The only forces acting are gravity, bouyancy, components of wind acting on wind turbine, drag from turbine, propulsion from propeller in water, drag on propeller.
I guess in this simplified model all forces would balance?
admin answers:
It COULD, but whether it would depends on a number of factors.
George asks…
Most efficient Windmill design?
Does anyone know a link to find the top windmill designs for a project. The windmill is to create the most wind energy.
admin answers:
The single-bladed design was known for its efficiency. Lockheed and NASA worked on it in 1985. It’s a b%$* to balance, it needs more speed to achieve the same power, and the tip of the long blade has a chance to go supersonic.
Jenny asks…
Most efficient Windmill design?
Does anyone know a link to find the top windmill designs for a project. The windmill is to create the most wind energy.
more like electrical energy. from about 1-5 volts
admin answers:
It depends on what kind of energy you want to produce. Electrical or mechanical? And how much money and resources you would want to invest. Speaking for myself, I prefer the traditional sail windmills over the modern turbine styles, as their construction has more than one use (they can be a house as well as a power producer), so the materials involved, solve two problems, not just one. Sails also have a larger wind catchment than modern turbines, so can turn with a lower amount of wind (also depending on the bearings used), but are unsuitable in high wind areas, as they high winds can cause damage, though they are suitable to produce both electrical and mechanical energy. Your windmill/turbine design, will also depend on how much energy you are after producing and if you would be confronted with any specific regulations regarding size, noise and safety.
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