Introduction

Efficient Planet is a comprehensive set of diy energy instructions. It’s not just one book, it’s three. It contains 50 pages on efficient living, 51 pages on building your home wind turbine, and 71 pages on making your solar power at home. It would have been the best guide on the market, but it fell short of Earth4Energy by not providing free video instruction.

What we like about it:

1 – Comprehensive Instructions

Efficient planet just became the most comprehensive DIY energy guide on the market. With over 175 pages of fantastic step-by-step instructions and advice that are easy to follow, it is well worth the small price tag of $49.97.

2 – Loads of great bonuses

When you buy the Efficient Planet guide, not only do you get the plans on how to make your own home solar and wind power system, but also a number of free extras. This is includes a 50 page manual on how to easily save energy at home; and video and audio interviews with other diy fanatics that make their own power at home too.

It also comes with some useful, but irrelevant extras, such as a 12 part study kit on efficiently running your own home business; and some other “undisclosed bonuses”.

3 – Solid plans:

A nice feature of the guide, is that it is broken up into 3 parts:

The first guide speaks solely on solar power, with a set of instructions on how to make your solar electric system at home. It also contains information on other solar power options, such as solar air and water heating, and solar roofing.

The second guide talks about wind power and how to make your own home wind turbine. It discusses the 10 common misconceptions about wind power, by giving solid facts and evidence.

The third volume teaches how to save power and become more energy efficient. Although much of this info is common knowledge and available freely throughout the net, it tied in well with the purpose of the guide – to make your home energy efficient.

Problem With The Guide

1: No video instruction

Just when we thought Efficient Planet was the best energy guide on the market, we realized it has absolutely no video instruction. Many people that are technology inclined will struggle to just follow the written plans and diagram to build their first solar or wind power system. It would have been so much easier if we could watch it being built step-by-step.

2: Nothing really unique about it

Efficient Planet seems to be the same old rehashed information. Diy energy guides are appearing all over the place these days, and this guide does not seem to be any different to rest. However, with that being said, where Efficient Planet excels is that gives it customers a number of free extras, that make it better value for money as compared to Homemade Energy or Homemade Power Plant.

Conclusion:

Efficient Planet provides some of the most complete, and useful step-by-step instructions on making your own renewable energy and saving power at home. Yes, you will eventually build a working solar and wind power system with the plans, but it will take you a little longer than if you used the Earth4Energy guide (which has free video instruction). The free extras make it well worth the $49.97 price, so it comes in 2nd place.

Tim McDonald is an enthusiastic DIYer that has been living off the grid since June 2008. He recommends you Try Earth4Energy for FREE if you are serious about making your own solar and home wind turbine, saving bucket loads of cash on your electricity bill, and living a greener life.

categories: efficient planet,diy energy guides,make solar power,make wind power,solar energy,wind power,wind turbine,off the grid,energy conservation,global warming,hobbies,environment,modern living,science

Wind turbines generate electricity by harnessing the natural energy of the wind. Wind Turbine Systems (not to be confused with wind mills), usually consist of an electrical generator sitting atop a tall tower and powered by using propeller-type rotors to transfer kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical power to power an electrical generator producing electricity. Consuming no fuel and emitting no air pollution, wind turbines are proven to be both environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Until recently wind systems were only available to utility companies and large land owners who would construct giant wind turbines as far as the eye could see. Wind energy systems have advanced dramatically in recent years making wind turbines available for uses as small as boats and cabin and financially lucrative for rural homeowners, farmers, and even industrial and business complex applications. Wind turbine systems are available as small as fifty watt through utility sized with outputs of several megawatts.

Wind turbine systems have been installed residentially in at least 47 of the 50 states, mostly in the Midwest and Northeast parts of the country. Wisconsin residents have a unique benefit. Much of the state has consistent wind speeds between 8 and 50 mph, the ideal wind speeds for electricity generation.

Residential and agricultural wind turbines are designed to work in conjunction with your local utility company. The wind turbine provides electricity when the turbine rotates, but if the system is not producing enough energy to suit your usage, the remaining electricity you need is purchased from your local utility company. When your wind turbine is producing more electricity than you need you are able to sell your surplus electricity back to the utility company. This ensures you always have enough electricity to do what you want to do, and it ensures you profit from all of the electricity you generate.

Not everyone favors the use of wind turbine systems. Those opposing the use of wind energy systems often site concerns with noise, visual appearance and wild life. However, studies have shown the environmental impact of wind turbines to be less than virtually any other source of electrical generation. While small wind turbines do produce some noise, most people do not find the noise objectionable, and measurements of wind turbine noise have shown pressure levels too low to have any effect on humans or wild life. View and scenery are among the most common objections to wind turbines, but many actually find the consistent motion and impressive look of modern turbines.

Recent tax incentives, grants, and financing has allowed homeowners, farmers, and rural industrial companies to take advantage of wind turbines financial benefits in addition to environmental benefits. Land owners are now able to erect and operate a wind turbine with low out of pocket expenses making getting started easy. The temporary incentives also assist them with a much shorter break even point and stabilized long term energy costs.

Property owners don’t have to figure out the complex world of wind systems by themselves. Qualified companies are more frequently available across the country to help you understand and explore the world of wind energy. Most companies offering wind turbine sales, service or instillation will be able to assist you in determining if a wind energy system is right for your property through the use of your past electricity bills and local wind maps. Most companies offer this service at low cost, and are happy to assist you in all of your wind energy needs.