Wind Turbine Noise

From Great Lakes Wiki

One of the main concerns potential turbine users have (and share with their neighbors) is the amount of noise a home turbine system may generate. According to the American Wind Energy Association, the typical turbine does not generate any more noise than typical household appliances do (dishwasher, washer, refrigerator) that we use daily.

Most turbines don't begin turning until the wind is blowing at 7 mph. At that speed, additional sound is generated within the turbine's immediate surroundings such as leaves rustling on trees and shrubs or wind whistling through doors and windows or cracks in a structure. Most home turbine users feel this residual wind "noise" masks any sound that may be coming directly from the turbine.

This decibel chart, courtesy of the American Wind Energy Association, shows at what range within the sound spectrum the human ear can discern these various sounds, including the sound coming from a small wind turbine.

Still not certain noise from a turbine is or is not an issue? Consider this...

From Fenner Wind Farm in central New York State.

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