Top 6 Best Wind Generators | 2017 Ranking | Best Home Wind Turbine Generators

2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST WIND GENERATORS

2017 Guide to Purchasing a Residential Wind Turbine

It is becoming more common to see wind generators along the side of the road, as they pop up in more and more residential settings. As people shift their focus onto creating more sustainable energy, purchasing a wind turbine generator will be a worthwhile investment that can take their home off-grid.

Wind turbines for homes are certainly increasing in the frequency with which they appear. An estimated 20 million homes in the United States are now powered by wind generators as opposed to electricity from their local utility company. Forty of the fifty states now have their own utility-scale wind energy project available.

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Wind Generators

Don’t be left behind as the rest of the world moves toward more sustainable energy sources such as wind energy. How do wind turbines work? What do you need to know before you purchase one?

In our detailed review and ranking, we’re going to cover some of the top wind turbine generator choices to help you determine which is the right fit. Choosing from a variety of sizes and price ranges gives you the opportunity to find the perfect residential wind turbine for your family. 

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List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the wind generator names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that wind generator):

• Bergey Excel 1kW Wind Turbine
• Southwest Skystream 3.7
• Sunforce 44444 400-Watt Wind Generator
• WindBlue Lite Breeze Low Wind Generator Kit
• Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine
• Windspire 1.8 kW Complete Wind Turbine System

Table: Top 6 Best Wind Generators | Above list is sorted alphabetically

How Do Wind Turbines Work?

You’ve likely seen them in yards and empty fields, but how do wind turbines work? They spin around as the wind blows, but most of us are curious about the science behind what makes a wind turbine generator produce electricity. Without understanding how they work, it’s hard to understand why these could be a worthwhile investment into sustainable energy.

A home wind turbine allows the wind to move its blades, which in turn rotates the shaft of the wind generator. It uses no electricity at all to turn and move the way a fan does.

As the shaft moves, it creates a type of kinetic energy that can be easily converted into mechanical power. The power is gradually shifted to the generator attached to your wind turbine generator and then converted to electricity.

Residential wind turbine options are capable of producing varying degrees of electricity that could help you to move your home off the grid. Depending on how large your household is and what your average energy consumption looks like, you may be able to create enough wind power to run all your appliances. Other consumers prefer to use wind energy to supplement the electricity they already have.

The wind turbine cost can vary drastically based on the wattage that a specific model can produce. This is why it is imperative to know just how much wind energy you are expecting to produce before you make a purchase. Wind turbines for homes can be a large upfront investment, and you want to make sure you’ll be satisfied with your purchase in the years ahead.

You can also look into purchasing a wind turbine that works for just one specific purpose. This would mean that all energy and electricity created by the wind power generator would automatically go toward one activity, such as a water pump or charging batteries.

Purchasing a residential wind turbine can be a costly investment, but it allows you to generate more sustainable forms of electricity and saves you money on your local utility bill each month.

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Detailed Review – Top Ranking Wind Generators

Below, please find the detailed review of each generator on our list of home wind turbine choices. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these wind turbine generator options to score so highly in our selection ranking.

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Image Source: Bergey

When it comes to a home wind turbine, this is a large option with a diameter of 8.2 feet. Its triple blade system has a start-up wind speed of 6.7 miles per hour and no cut-out wind speed. As far as home wind turbine options go, this one holds up well in any climate, able to withstand -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

This allows homes to run solely on some combination of sustainable resources. The wind generator from Bergey is capable of producing up to 2,000 watts of energy.

Cost of Wind Generator

The wind turbine cost on the Bergey Excel 1 kW Wind Turbine is listed on their price sheet. The Excel 1kW Turbine with the charge controller and charge box comes in at $4,595. This is quite an investment into a home wind turbine, but it definitely gives you some things to consider. 

Keep in mind that in addition to the system, you will need to purchase a tower for your wind turbine to attach to. Bergey can also assist with these items, selling tilt-up towers in a variety of heights from 60 feet to 100 feet. Prices will vary on these kits, ranging from $2,165 to $4,800.

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Southwest Skystream 3.7 Review

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Designed for low-wind areas and typical residential and commercial settings, the Southwest Skystream 3.7 offers a number of features that lead us to consider it one of the best home wind turbine solutions.

The design of this triple blade system is sleek and clean with a shape that promotes enhanced efficiency and quiet movement. It has a 12-foot diameter, making it one of the larger options available for a home wind turbine. You should also be aware that this won’t be easy to maneuver around while setting it up, weighing a total of 170 pounds.

It can produce up to 400 kW of energy each month, with a rated capacity of 2.4kW. This will vary based on wind conditions and the height of the tower you mount this home wind turbine on. It can accommodate high winds and has a survival wind speed of 140 miles per hour.

Consumers who want a decent warranty for their home wind turbine will also like the Southwest Skystream 3.7 model. It comes with a five-year limited warranty.

Cost of Wind Generator

The wind turbine cost for the Southwest Skystream 3.7 will vary based on the additional costs associated with setting it up and purchasing a tower. Some of this variation will depend on your personal preferences for your home wind turbine.

The company website lists the price of installing a Skystream unit at approximately $17,000 to $20,000 based on your tower costs. You may also be able to claim the 30% tax credit on this purchase to help offset the overall cost.

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Cut from weatherproof aluminum, this wind generator is great for small outdoor applications such as powering a pump or charging batteries on outdoor appliances. When batteries that are hooked up to this wind turbine generator are fully charged, the device automatically shuts down.

Image Source: Amazon

With only two moving parts included in this wind turbine generator, it means low maintenance for you as a homeowner. The machine will easily attach to any pole or building that stands up sturdily to the elements. The blades are a carbon fiber composite, which allows them to move quietly even in extreme winds.

At just 44 inches wide and tall, this wind turbine generator takes up very little space in your yard or garden. Not only that, but it will be easy to assemble on your own with a total weight that comes in at less than 15 pounds. Even without a ton of strength behind you, you should be able to easily maneuver and place the Sunforce 44444 near your house to begin generating wind energy.

Cost of Wind Generator

This wind generator is available for sale through multiple retailers, with perhaps the cheapest being Amazon. With free shipping on your order and a discounted rate, the Sunforce 44444 400-Watt Wind Generator is available for just $484.71 instead of its list price of $799.99.

While certainly not the most expensive wind generator on the market, this option packs a good punch when it comes to creating wind power for homes on a budget.

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WindBlue Lite Breeze Low Wind Generator Kit Review

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Easy to maneuver and use, the WindBlue Lite Breeze Low Wind Generator Kit is perfect to help you get started using a wind turbine generator at home. Even if the area you reside in isn’t the windiest, this wind generator is designed to make the most of even a relatively small breeze. You can begin to charge a 12V battery with winds as low as 6 miles per hour.

It is specifically designed to function in areas that are regularly low on wind but where people are still heavily interested in wind energy as a sustainable energy source.

This wind generator is designed with strong blades constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, making them sturdy in winds all the way up to 100 miles per hour. It stands five foot in diameter and just 43 inches long. Assembling the materials to construct this wind turbine generator is easy, with the overall weight coming it at just 34 pounds.

The alternator of the wind generator is quiet and brushless. These two attributes help to reduce the need for maintenance and minimize the overall friction that occurs. If a piece comes in damaged, there is a 90-day full replacement warranty on each model.

Cost of the Wind Generator

The Lite Breeze Wind Generator is a low-priced option tailored toward areas without much wind power. For consumers who are trying to make a relatively inexpensive switch to more sustainable resources, this is a good fit. The overall price sits at just $539.00 based on the current sale price at WindBlue.com.

The cost is also a great deal because it doesn’t require much in the way of long-term maintenance. Even the blades don’t need to be waxed or clear-coated. They will remain shiny and well cared for without any extra attention.

Another option easily found and obtained on Amazon, the Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine is one of the more powerful tools for creating wind power for homes. It has a rated power of 1500 Watts and a 24V voltage system. The cut-in wind speed is relatively low at just 5.6 miles per hour.

Image Source: Amazon

The triple blade system is capable of producing a large amount of electricity with several safety features built in. Automatic braking prevents suddenly high wind gusts from damaging the system. It also guards against sudden voltage surges and comes with a manual braking switch to keep from overcharging your batteries.

This is a slightly larger wind turbine for homes than some of the other selections with a diameter of 5.6 feet. It also stands at almost 5 ½ feet tall. If you were hoping for wind turbines for homes that were more discreet, the Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine isn’t likely to fit the bill.

This is another lightweight wind turbine generator, weighing just 33 pounds. It also comes with an MPPT Charge Controller.

Cost of Wind Generator

Affording this Windmill 1500W Wind Turbine is a little different than some of the more entry-level wind turbines for homes. This wind generator costs $1,500 on Amazon, a 40% savings from the list price of $2,500.

While it is a steeper initial investment, the maximum wattage will be a significant savings on your electric bill each month. The Windmill 1500W model should stand up well to the test of time with its weatherproof materials and UV protection coating.

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Image Source: Shoproyall

The maximum output of this wind power generator can reach up to 1,800 watts. It also has an annual output of 3,650 kWh at an average of 12.5 miles per hour wind speed.

It has a cut in wind speed of just 8 miles per hour and a cutout wind speed of 35 miles per hour.

The system comes with a diameter of 4.5 feet and comes at 30 feet tall. It is extremely heavy in comparison to the other top wind turbines for homes, weighing a total of 875 pounds. It isn’t something that will be easily moved once installed.

Cost of Wind Generator

This is definitely one of the most expensive wind turbine generator options available on the market today. The innovative design is a part of the reason for the higher cost. However, it will require a significant upfront investment for consumers at $13,500.

This unit also comes with a five-year warranty in case parts break or prove to be ineffective. With a price tag as high as this one, you want a model that is built to last, and the Windspire is designed to survive for the long term.

Conclusion—Top 6 Best Wind Generators

It won’t take long for you to realize that the addition of a wind power generator to your home can save you money and help you to save the environment simultaneously. This form of renewable and sustainable energy makes a home wind turbine a top consideration for everyone.

If you live in an area where the winds are relatively constant, these top wind generators should help you to transform it into something powerful. Evaluate how much energy your home needs and what you would like a home wind turbine to contribute to your overall power each month.

Once you know how much power you need, you’ll have to consider the overall size and cost. The initial investment required by a quality wind generator can be expensive, but you want to be sure that you’re receiving the model you need. After all, your wind turbine generator should last you for years to come.

Whether you’ve been researching this for years or are just getting started, this list of the best wind generators on today’s market will prepare you for the shopping ahead of you.