Tips on how to save energy (From Green Guardian)

Tips on how to save energy

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This is the fourth in a series of articles where British Gas helps you learn about new green' technology.

Wind Turbines

A wind turbine uses the wind to generate electricity.

How does it work?

Wind blows on the blades making them turn. They turn a shaft which operates a generator, which uses magnetic fields to convert the rotational energy into electrical energy. This goes into an inverter which converts the electricity to 240V so it can be used in your home.

What do they look like?

The system looks like a windmill.

Medium-sized wind turbines can be mounted as close as 20m to 50m from your house.

Is my house suitable?

You need to consider the wind speed and activity in your area. There are two main ways to calculate your wind resource and you should look for sites with a wind speed of around 5m/s:

• The NOABL wind speed model at dti.gov.uk shows wind speeds at locations across the UK.

• Install an anemometer (wind speed monitor) at your property and take daily measurements over a six to 12-month period, then take a daily average.

Costs

A typical system will cost between £12,000 and £25,000.

Is planning permission needed?

Currently all wind turbine installations require planning permission.

Benefits

• Turbines provide free electricity.

• The system could add value to your property.

Ongoing maintenance

Once a year the main components need to be checked.

Grants available

Visit est.org.uk for details of grants.

Charitable trusts, schools or non profit organisations may qualify for a grant through our Low Carbon Buildings Programme (Phase 2).

Interested in installing a system?

Email us your details to theenergyefficiencyteam@centrica.co.uk and we will arrange for our partners to contact you with more information.

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