More Ontarians Getting Off The Grid
Posted May 18, 2009 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The blades have been spinning outside Russ Plumley’s St. Catharines home ever since he caught wind of a green idea last fall.
He installed a residential wind turbine at a cost of $20,000. But he feels it’s a worthwhile contribution to the environment. He also uses solar power to heat his water.
“Just a feeling I am doing something to help out the green revolution [and] to reduce the amount of power I need,” says Plumley.
How does wind energy work? The turbine converts kinetic energy, generated by its rotating blades, into electric energy, which charges the batteries that help power the house.
A residential wind turbine can generate 300,000 kilowatt hours a month. The average home uses about 1,000 kWh.
Lakeshore Catholic High School in Port Colborne also uses a hybrid system of solar panels and wind power to cut back on electricity costs.
“We are using natural resources to produce electricity and, in turn, [a] whole portable is off the grid,” noted principal Danny Di Lorenzo
Deborah Power of Niagara WindPower Inc. says more and more people are looking for ways to reduce their hydro bills.
“As long as the meter is moving backward, you’re saving money,” she explained.
The average home wind turbine can cost as much as $13,000 to install. But with a 100 per cent PST rebate, a new Natural Resources Canada rebate and the new Home Renovation Tax Credit, you could get thousands of dollars back in your pocket.
