There are many reasons to turn to alternative sources of energy like home wind power. One reason is for the environment. Since we never have to worry about using up all the wind, or hurting the earth by using it, this could help save the planet. Another reason is because of all the scares about society as we know it coming to an end, and leaving us without the option of electricity from our power company.
First there was the Y2K scare, now we have 2012 arriving and no telling how many more scares there will be. Furthermore, we can no longer imagine life without having our electrical gadgets. At one time electricity was a luxury that not everybody had, and people knew how to do without. Now, just being without it temporarily causes panic and potential chaos. Finally, in this economy and even in good economies, people want to save money on their power bill.
You may wonder if you could enjoy freedom from the power company by getting your own home wind power. Unfortunately, getting set up may take more money than you could save in decades of electricity bills, though a lot depends on your location. No doubt you could help the environment at least some, and have power to run a few things even when the electricity is off, but it is not likely you will be able to gleefully tell the electric company what they can do with their bills.
It is not uncommon for windmills to be hooked up to wells. Some of the very simple ones pump water whenever the wind blows whether you need it or not. This is still far better than nothing during a time of extended power outages, especially if you are in a rural area. During times of mass power outages, the electric companies try to first get power back to the most populated areas, not considering that the rural areas often cannot get to the store as easily and have to use well water. In addition, this is good to keep livestock tanks full and water a garden. Since you do not have to rely on a battery with this, it is cheaper than other set ups and there is no fear of battery problems.
There are more fancy wells that get wind energy which will let you store electricity on windy days in batteries so you can run the well whenever you need it. There are many companies that sell these. Some claim to have ones that will work, even if you have days without wind, because of their special technology. There are other systems specially designed to aerate ponds and keep the fish healthier, but just to maintain a two or three acre pond may cost you over a thousand dollars.
If you are not shopping just for a well, but hoping to have your whole house run on home wind power, there are many factors to consider that will influence the final cost. One is the windmill itself. The size and quality will determine the price. An average is around five hundred dollars for one that might make a noticeable difference in your bill. However, you also have to buy batteries, an inverter, the wire, and one of the biggest expenses is often the tower. A windmill of any significant size will need a strong tower and you may need a professional to put it up for you.