Wind Turbines for the Residential Market?

High energy bills are driving Americans to produce electricity in their own back yards.  The Pehrus family moved to Fort Worth to enjoy the country.  They created a backyard oasis filled with ducks, flowers and shade trees, but after ten years, Casy Perhus's husband felt there was still something missing, their very own wind turbine to produce electricity.

Casy Perhus first thought "What are the neighbors going to say?"

Eventually, she gave her consent and the turbine's low hum joins the sound of birds and bullfrogs.  Neighbors noticed the turbine.   "When they started knocking, I was afraid to answer the door," she said.  But the neighbors weren't indignant, they were envious.

Arlington based Renewable Energy Products put in the Perhus's turbine and other wind turbine companies are discovering the residential market, too.  "We've had a lot more calls this year," said Richard Gregory, from Your Resources. Gregory tells us he had concentrated on commercial projects but is now beginning to market to homeowners.  He's encouraged by nationwide industry estimates predicting a growth of nearly 20 percent in the small wind turbine market in the next couple of years.

"We get a lot of phone calls about the time people get their electricity bill. They're frustrated, they're angry and they want to do something about it," he said.

The price deters a lot of people. Turbines can cost anywhere from around $14,000 to $100,000.  But there is a payoff, opening the next electric bill and seeing the savings.  Casy Perhus says she's saved between $100 and $200 a month, putting the break even at around 8 years. The turbines are also banned in some cities.  Of course, the savings change with the wind.   Savings predictions range anywhere from 25 to 75 percent of the monthly electric bill.