Honeywell wind turbine hits hardware stores nationwide

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you want your very own wind turbine, just head down to the hardware store. WindTronics announced on Thursday that its Honeywell Wind Turbine — which SmartPlanet previewed in person way back in May 2010 – is now available at a number of major retailers, including Ace Hardware, True-Value, Wesco Distributing and Mid-States Distributing.

If you recall, the turbine — 6 ft. tall, 185 lbs. and intended to be installed on a rooftop or pole — generates power in gusts of wind as little as two miles per hour.

(Of course, at a leisurely, occasional two miles an hour, it could take a lifetime to pay for itself. But still.)

Nevertheless, it’s a big-name wind turbine for the masses, and could very well show up on the roof of your local community college, city hall or police headquarters. Or, toss the turbine in the back of the pickup (strap it down!) and be on your way.

WindTronics claims that the turbine is capable of producing up to 1500kWh each year. Of course, things get interesting if your local utility supports the ability for you to feed your gusty, renewable power back to the grid.

(Or, store all that juice in a battery for safekeeping.)

The turbine starts at $5,795 plus installation, which can be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/honeywell-wind-turbine-hits-hardware-stores-nationwide/15719/

[Obama 2012 1,714]

If you want your very own wind turbine, just head down to the hardware store. WindTronics announced on Thursday that its Honeywell Wind Turbine — which SmartPlanet previewed in person way back in May 2010 – is now available at a number of major retailers, including Ace Hardware, True-Value, Wesco Distributing and Mid-States Distributing.

If you recall, the turbine — 6 ft. tall, 185 lbs. and intended to be installed on a rooftop or pole — generates power in gusts of wind as little as two miles per hour.

(Of course, at a leisurely, occasional two miles an hour, it could take a lifetime to pay for itself. But still.)

Nevertheless, it’s a big-name wind turbine for the masses, and could very well show up on the roof of your local community college, city hall or police headquarters. Or, toss the turbine in the back of the pickup (strap it down!) and be on your way.

WindTronics claims that the turbine is capable of producing up to 1500kWh each year. Of course, things get interesting if your local utility supports the ability for you to feed your gusty, renewable power back to the grid.

(Or, store all that juice in a battery for safekeeping.)

The turbine starts at $5,795 plus installation, which can be performed by a licensed electrical contractor.

http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/honeywell-wind-turbine-hits-hardware-stores-nationwide/15719/

i/e $5,795 + labor = $7,000

not worth it...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

@1500 kwh/year and $.10/kwh, that saves you about $150/year. It would only take 40 years to get a return on your investment.

[Zero Sum 305]

Costs minus tax incentives minus energy consumption offsets = < that amount of time. Nice find Steven. Show us how capitalism will make marketing energy intelligence more affordable in the end.

[SuperDuper! 230]

So go ahead and buy one, Einstein, and tell us how it works out.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The simple answer to all of your questions is ‘You can build a 1000 watt homemade wind generator for under $100 (including the wind generator plans ! ) in about 2 weekends and all of the parts are readily available and quickly obtained.

Do your own search, but there are systems out there for considerably less than what Honeywell is mass-marketing to secondary mass retailers. Of course, to take full advantage of the system, you have to convert your house over to a primarily low voltage DC system, something that folks living off the grid have been doing for decades.

[Zero Sum 305]

Our electric bill totals from last year: $464

Minus $150 savings estimated cost @ $0.10/kWh

= $314 bill that could have been.

Factor in

Cost plus reduced installation by family member that is an electrician : $6500

Normally you'd need 43.3 years to even out the cost/savings ratio.

What simpletons don't factor in is the following:

ARRA Wind power (uncapped) 30% credit on installed wind turbines: That's 30% of $6500 = $1950 'discount' = $4550

That's energy savings of $150; taking 30.3 years to reach cost/savings balance.

Is there more?

Oh yes there is!

For IL:

A 30% rebate! And you may comnine it with the 30% ARRA credit.

At this point, that $4550 out of pocket just became $2600.

$2600 over $150 energy savings per year = 17.3 years.

As the technology continues to improve, and it is happening at a rate faster than the VCR to DVD format switch- we'll see a greater market share with decreasing retail costs for these systems.

This means all you angry people can find something else to gripe about.

[Zero Sum 305]

Do your own search, but there are systems out there for considerably less than what Honeywell is mass-marketing to secondary mass retailers. Of course, to take full advantage of the system, you have to convert your house over to a primarily low voltage DC system, something that folks living off the grid have been doing for decades.

Exactly. People tend to think in terms of black and white, and that is a disservice to themselves. One wind turbine is fine, but people that usually invest in energy efficiency tend to retrofit their homes to be more energy efficient anyway- water heaters, furnaces, heat pumps, PV cells, etc. This is why an initial upfront cost of $10-$20K ends up netting the homeowner positive cash flow in much less than the time instances I've calculated above from the utilities owing them money for energy production.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Our electric bill totals from last year: $464

Minus $150 savings estimated cost @ $0.10/kWh

= $314 bill that could have been.

Factor in

Cost plus reduced installation by family member that is an electrician : $6500

Normally you'd need 43.3 years to even out the cost/savings ratio.

What simpletons don't factor in is the following:

ARRA Wind power (uncapped) 30% credit on installed wind turbines: That's 30% of $6500 = $1950 'discount' = $4550

That's energy savings of $150; taking 30.3 years to reach cost/savings balance.

Is there more?

Oh yes there is!

For IL:

A 30% rebate! And you may comnine it with the 30% ARRA credit.

At this point, that $4550 out of pocket just became $2600.

$2600 over $150 energy savings per year = 17.3 years.

As the technology continues to improve, and it is happening at a rate faster than the VCR to DVD format switch- we'll see a greater market share with decreasing retail costs for these systems.

This means all you angry people can find something else to gripe about.

So what you're saying is this is a piece of ####### that can't stand on its own and needs a rebate off the backs of hard working people to sell?

Liberal mentality is a disease I swear.

[Zero Sum 305]

So what you're saying is this is a piece of ####### that can't stand on its own and needs a rebate off the backs of hard working people to sell?

Liberal mentality is a disease I swear.

Poor angry you, always willing to put foot in mouth for the entertainment of us all.

No- that's not what I said.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Poor angry you, always willing to put foot in mouth for the entertainment of us all.

No- that's not what I said.

That's exactly what you said. You said is takes a taxpayer rebates to be worthwhile. Money that #1- this country doesn't have and #2- is on the backs of your grandchildren at this point.

If it's a desirable product, then no government subsidies are needed.

3D TVs at thousands of dollars don't need a government rebate.. Nor did Plasmas when they first game out. Get the point?

[Zero Sum 305]

So what you're saying is this is a piece of ####### that can't stand on its own and needs a rebate off the backs of hard working people to sell?

I said nothing of the sort. Don't criticize others' writing skills if you can't read that well.

I did not say anything was required.

I also did not imply that the 'taxpayer' support means that its taken on credit from future generations. Perhaps if you were a little better at accounting tax revenues to the turnaround on credits and rebates that in turn translate to direct cost savings on consumers you'd get that.

Furthermore, I did state that as the technology improves, so will the cost. Some Old Guy also mentioned that there are cheaper units out there already. So overcome that anger issue you have going on.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why not put a wind turbine in the Capital Building. Energy shortage solved.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Not only that, Paul, what energy resource out there is completely free from any subsidies? Perhaps your misplaced anger would serve you well working out in a gym or long distance running?

[Zero Sum 305]

Why not put a wind turbine in the Capital Building. Energy shortage solved.

Great idea. Metaphorically and practically... Boston is windier than Chicago, too. It would be a great place to set up more wind turbines.