Dear Jim: I saw a show about using windmills to generate electricity for homes. It seems windy around my house and I would like to eliminate my electric bills. Does this make sense and how do I select a windmill? – Mark P.

Dear Mark: Installing a windmill to generate all the electricity for your house can make economic sense in some situations. Generally though, you are still better off getting electricity from your utility company. It would make more economic sense to plan to use a smaller windmill to reduce your electric bills and not try to totally eliminate them.

With adequate wind conditions (speed), a windmill capable of producing 10 kilowatts of electricity (enough for all the needs of a typical home) may cost more than $20,000 to install. Depending upon your local electric rates, it will generally take many years to payback its cost. If your home is very energy efficient, you may be able to get by with a smaller, less expensive model.

If you are planning to build a home in a remote area which does not currently have electric power, installing a windmill may be the most cost-effective option. The cost for the utility company or a contractor to run new electric lines to a distant house can be extremely expensive and installing a windmill will eliminate this expense.

Some people are willing to make the additional investment in a windmill for environmental reasons. Windmills produce pollution-free electricity and reduce the need for mining coal or drilling for oil and gas. They also are completely quiet and create a majestic feeling for many people.

Check with your local electric utility company about its policy on buying electricity your windmill produces. On windy days, when the windmill produces more electricity than your family needs, it can be fed back into the utility electric grid. The utility company may either pay you for this electricity or allow it to run your electric meter in reverse.

Also available are smaller windmills, costing from $500 to $1,000 which produce from 100 to 400 watts. This is enough energy to help you survive through emergencies and power outages. They are also ideal to provide electricity to an outdoor shed or cabin. Often, they are mounted on boats to provide electricity and keep the batteries fully charged.

To select a windmill, first test the wind speeds at your location for several months. Some of the windmill suppliers will provide you with a wind gauge. The wind speed will determine your economic payback and allow you to select the proper size windmill. All the new windmills available have power and safety controls and are very reliable.

The following companies offer residential windmills: Aeromax, (888) 407-9463 www.aeromag.com; Alternative Energy Store, (877) 878-4060, www.altenergystore.com; Lake Michigan Wind & Sun, (920) 743-0456, www.windandsun.com; Wind Generation Prod, (954) 525-9999, www.windbugger.com; Wind Turbine Ind., (952) 447-6064, www.windturbine.net; and Windstream Power, (802) 658-0075, www.windstreampower-.com.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.