Homeowners are looking into alternative energy sources for powering their homes. Solar energy has been around for a while, and if you drive through residential neighborhoods, you are sure to find solar panels on a good many homes.

Yet recently, small wind turbine options have begun to generate some interest, in part because they are considered to be a lot less intrusive than the solar panel options. In simplest terms, the wind turbine is installed on a sufficiently high pole to garner the maximum amount of wind.

Although small wind turbine options have the ultimate goal of lending self sufficiency to a home, the reality holds that homeowners are not yet quite ready to get off the grid. Instead, in areas where the wind frequently goes below seven to 10 miles per hour, the grid is required to supplement the energy required by the home. The more wind there is in the area, the more energy is produced, and the less electricity must be purchased.

Such small wind turbine options are very attractive in coastal regions or areas where wind is a common occurrence. Savings are estimated to be right around 50%-90% of the overall electricity bill, but only if there is sufficient wind.

There is, of course, a downside to the technology. To really realize the full savings possible, the installation of a bigger wind turbine is required, making this a less than useful item for a densely populated urban area. Some homeowners have decided to couple their solar panels with a small wind turbine, thereby maximizing on the space they do have available.