How to Clean Turbines

Call a professional, if you have a giant wind turbine.

Cleaning the blades on a wind turbine can make the difference between having a fully functional turbine and losing power in your whole house. Wind turbines are powered by winds and other elements, which means that it picks up anything in the air. The dust and wind in the elements can stay on the blades, if they aren't properly cleaned, and can harbor the energy that the turbine provides. Knowing how to clean the wind turbines can help your home stay energy efficient.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Plastic cleaner

Instructions

1. Turn off the power to the turbine and detach the turbine from its main power source. With massive turbines, the power source is usually housed at a command center. Press the "Off" button to completely power off the turbine.

2. Use a ladder, if necessary, to reach the top of the turbine. Take out a wrench from your portable tool kit and begin to remove the nuts and bolts from the head unit of the turbine. Remove the nuts and bolts by turning the wrench to the left.

3. Unscrew the blades of the wind turbines with the same wrench or a different wrench, depending on the size of the nuts and bolts. You may need to refer to your turbine's manual in order to find out where the nuts and bolts are secure and the size of the bolts and nuts. Knowing this information can help you disassemble the turbine easier.

4. Carry the turbine down the ladder or the roof, and then lay it down on a flat surface. Squirt cleaner onto the blades, and then wipe it off with a sponge or wash cloth. With overly dirty spots, use a soft brush to remove them. Wipe the blades dry and let them air dry for about one hour.

5. Grab each blade and begin to reassemble the turbine. Have someone on the ground to feed you the blades, if possible. Place the blades in the same order as before, and then screw the nuts and bolts. This time, you will need to screw the nuts and bolts to the right.

6. Replace the head unit of the turbine to complete the assembly and screw it back into place, if needed. Carefully scale down the ladder, and then power the turbine back on to complete the cleaning process.

Tips & Warnings

• You can purchase all of the needed items at your local hardware store, such as Home Depot or Ace Hardware.

References

• Mustafa Zaffar; EES Greentech Turbine Installer; Fremont, California
• YouTube: Residential Home Wind Turbine