Recouping cost of wind turbine may take more than a lifetime

Wind power has been the fastest growing source of new electric power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But if you're considering a wind turbine to supplement your home's power, consider our experience with one product, the Honeywell WT6500 Wind Turbine, a cautionary tale.

Among the few wind turbines that can be mounted on a roof, the WT6500 is similar to traditional wind turbines: Any unused energy it generates can be sent or sold to a utility for credit off your power bill. But it's quieter than traditional turbines, and according to the manufacturer WindTronics, starts generating power at lower wind speeds. The company claims the unit starts spinning from winds of a mere 0.5 mph—with electricity generated from only 3 mph. Traditional gearbox wind turbines, said the company, require at least 7.5-mph winds to start generating power.

A tool on Windtronics' website had calculated we'd get 1,155 kWh per year at the 12-mph average it predicted for our area of Yonkers, New York. And the authorized installer, during his initial visit, didn't say the roof of our headquarters might generate any less, but that rating is at a height of 164 feet, not the 33 feet WindTronics requires for rooftop installations.

In the 15 months since the turbine was installed, though, it has delivered less than 4 kWh—enough only to power a 12,000 btu window air conditioner for one afternoon. A company representative in charge of installations worldwide recently visited our offices and confirmed that our test model was correctly installed. What's more, he told us that while the WT6500 should start generating power at about 3 mph, the initial juice goes just to power the system's inverter, which must be running before it supplies any AC power elsewhere. The true wind speed needed to start producing AC while the inverter is on is 6 mph, not far from the 7.5 mph a needed by a traditional gearbox wind turbine.

The Honeywell costs $11,000 installed, comes with a five-year warranty and has a 20-year expected product life. But having a thorough site analysis by a manufacturer-authorized installer, backed by your own research on websites such as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is vital.

At the rate the WT6500 is delivering power at our test site, it would take several millennia for the product to pay for itself in savings—not the 56 years it would take even with the 1,155 kWh quote we received.

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User-friendly thermostats pay off in energy savings

Nearly half the money you spend on home energy goes to heating and cooling. For the average household that's about $1,100 a year. A programmable thermostat can save you money by automatically reducing heating or cooling when you need it least. The thermostat has to be properly set, of course, and our latest tests of 30 models reveal that many are now much easier to use.

That wasn't always the case. Energy Star stopped certifying thermostats in late 2009 mostly because they were so hard to use and could lead to wasted energy. Energy Star is developing new standards that include ease of use, but in the meantime you'll find models in our new thermostat Ratings that are very simple to use with screens that are easy to see. Most models accurately maintained temperature settings within one to two degrees so our thermostat tests focus on ease of use based on our panelists ability to set them up and make routine adjustments before reading the manual and then with the manual if needed.

And here's the really cool part. The top three thermostats, like the Venstar ColorTouch Series T5800, $170, have interactive displays and color screens. Some allow you to monitor energy use and make changes via your smart phone or laptop while you're off trotting the globe. The $250 Nest Learning Thermostat can be programmed remotely. It's unlike any thermostat we tested in form or function and a recommended model. It's round and sleek, with a rim dial for making adjustments, and a techie's dream. You can program it yourself or let it automatically program itself based on changes you make the first week. It notes your preferences and schedules and keeps on making adjustments. Pretty cool. And that's the whole idea.

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Dirty air conditioner filters can make you lose your cool

As the summer heat continues unabated, it's a good time to make sure you're getting the most out of your air conditioner and dehumidifier. One easy way is to clean the filters. If you haven't done so since summer began, then this chore is long overdue. The improved performance of your appliances will make you glad you made the effort.

Dirty filters hamper the efficiency of your air conditioner and dehumidifier. And if they're working harder, it's costing you money without making your home more comfortable. If you have central air conditioning, have your contractor show you how to change the filters. During cooling season, Energy Star recommends that the filters be inspected, cleaned or changed every month. Alternatively, if you feel like your system is losing its oomph, have a licensed professional change all filters; clean and flush the coils, drain pan, and drainage system; vacuum the blower compartments; and check the refrigerant and mechanical components.

With window air conditioners, some filters are easier to change than others. Cleaning may be needed every few weeks during the hottest part of the summer. With that in mind, make sure you determine how easy it is to remove the filter when selecting a new unit. When cleaning it, remove debris with a vacuum then wash the filter in warm, soapy water; be sure filters are dry before you reinstall them and replace damaged filters.

When the filter is removed for cleaning, check the surface of the evaporator coil, which will now be visible. If there is dust or debris on the surface, gently remove it. Taking care not to deform the soft fins, use an upholstery-brush attachment to vacuum the coils.

Dirty filters can also inhibit the performance of your dehumidifier. Most can be easily removed and cleaned in just a few minutes. Don't neglect this task just because your unit is out of sight in the basement. Keeping the filters clean will improve the air quality and keep your machine working at its best. This is important when the humidity is high.

For more tips on how to maintain your equipment and save on your utility bill, check the Consumer Reports guide to summer cooling.

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