B&Q Wind Turbines (Merged Thread)

A question about : B&Q Wind Turbines (Merged Thread)

Apparently, according the bbc breakfast these will be on sale from next week, can't find any info on them though i.e. how much they will cost.

Beth
xx

Best answers:

• Just watched that myself, and found this on the B&Q Website:
  https://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/na...rbine&zone=all
  Looks good, time to start saving..!
• found this article on it
  https://money.guardian.co.uk/utilitie...806210,00.html
  and an online discussion about it here
  https://www.itsnoteasybeinggreen.org/...3bb72d49be8d58
• Well at £1500, unable to "store" electricity and no electricity when there is no wind, I think it is a poor deal. My current readings make for £10 a month on electricity and £10 a month on gas, it doesn't take a genius to work out that I would need the system to work for 150 months to break even. These should be added to all new homes though.
• Coupla thoughts:
  I wonder whether you can get a grant for this from one of the Energy Savings Trust connected programmes - looks as though you can, just choose your country: https://www.est.org.uk/myhome/generating/grants/
  and
  I'm still a bit confused about the Planning Permission status. Windsave themselves don't seem to be offering any firm guidance: have a look at their FAQ/Planning bit on https://www.windsave.com/. No offence to the talents of BQ Staff, but it feels that they may not be able to answer the relevant points on whether you need to ask your neighbours, legally.
  Anyone got an update ?
• There is quite a bit on Windsave if you do a search on this forum.
  From post#17 onwards on this thread you will find information and discussion.
  https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...turbine+output
• LOL, Ј1500 for a 1kw turbine?
  Someone is making a fortune there, and I can guarantee it's b&q..
• There will be some tears over this.
  You will be getting people buying these who will be lucky enough to live in a location where there will be only enough wind to turn the blades a couple of times a year, let alone generate electricity.
• Forum host. Please move this to another section if you think it more suited
  In BBC Breakfast news there was a piece about a mini wind turbine that B&Q was to sell at Ј1500 to consumers so they could micro-generate electrivity. It was claimed that it would produce one-third of a home’s energy needs.
  All seems very commendable but out of curiosity I did some sums. I made the following assumptions.
  1. The turbine could be purchased without borrowing
  2. Balances throughout were held in an account bearing interest paid monthly, equivalent of approx 3.5% net of tax
  3. The pattern of my electricity tariff, i.e. the number of higher rate units and the percentage differential in cost of higher and discounted units would remain the same
  4. Two sets of calculations would be made, one assuming all costs as now, another costs rising at 10% a year.
  I found that on an even energy cost basis breakeven would not occur until the 247th month (20years 7 months) and with costs rising at 10% yearly at the 132nd month (11 years).
  I make no value judgments but I do have strong reservations about such a long pay-back period, wondering if other methods of saving energy are not still the most appropriate to the domestic consumer. In short is B&Q jumping on a bandwagon, to be pulled by mugs?
  Thoughts?
• Yes, power from the wind varies with the cube of the wind speed. Almost all residential homes are in unsuitable locations for wind power. Only people living in extreme locations (tops of hills where there is strong wind etc.) could possibly benefit from such systems.
• Surely having a wind turbine is not so much about saving money but saving the planet!
• Good point. At the moment, saving the planet is not for the average person, but those that are deeply passionate or have the money to play with. Not saying that the 'average person' doesn't care, just that there is either a cost involved with wind turbines, or lifestyle changes with other planet saving practices.
  The government needs to do something here to make the whole concept a lot more viable on a grand scale!
• I popped into the store and asked about planning permission and was told that I needed to contact my local one regarding that, also if you buy it instore the price includes fitting whereas it is extra if you buy it online....so I am told
  Beth
  xx
• Leaving aside the environmental and cost considerations for a moment,two things occurred to me
  1) Was it just the mock-up, or will they have 'B & Q' plastered all over them?
  2) Will planning permission be required?
  From an aesthetic viewpoint I quite like them, but my wife hates them! :confused:
• At £200, importing from China or Japan sounds economical.