How To Build A Windmill

If you are reading this article you probably know already that alternative energy is something that everybody should turn to. Not only it will save you hundreds of dollars on electricity bills, but it is also eco-friendly and it will make our planet smile. One option to consider as alternative energy is windmills. But you may ask yourself “How to build a windmill?”

Before researching how to build a windmill, we must take into consideration the things we need for its construction. First of all, you must figure where to place the windmill. This is very important because an improper placement will lead to a low output of your energy source. You must make sure that there aren’t any obstacles near the windmill, like trees for example. The wind must blow with its full strength into the windmill’s blades. It’s also good to know the direction the wind most frequently comes from.

Now, in order to have a clear image about how to build a windmill for our own, it is recommended to build a miniature windmill first. For this you need only a few tools, like glue, paper, tape and a stick. Try to build this first, for a better understanding of how a windmill works. This should clear your mind a little before you start building the big one. Once you know how to build a windmill in miniature, you’ll understand better how to build a windmill for real.

For that, we must know the parts that form a real windmill. Of course, there are many little things that bring the whole piece together, but the main parts that you must focus on, are: the base, the blades, the tower and the gear box.

The strongest part of a windmill is the base. It must be very solid and heavy because it sustains the entire structure. It must provide stability and strength to the windmill. For that, concrete is recommended as the main material. Still, sand bags are an option too.

The blades should have an aerodynamic shape to catch the wind. They can be made of carbon fiber, but if you want a more common material, wood is a very good one. For the windmill to work more efficiently, don’t use too many blades. It will only slow the rotation. Two or three blades are usually enough.

The tower should also be strong and some proper materials for it are PVC pipes or aluminum. Finally, the nacelle (the gear box), for a personal windmill, can be a shaft, so it can link the blades to the tower, in order for them to spin as easily as possible.

Many people give up on the idea of building a windmill because they don’t know how to build a windmill. But if you study the concept a little you’ll find out that it isn’t that hard. Use the free power of the wind and start saving money on electricity.