# How Loud Are Wind Turbines Asks GE

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/02/how-loud-are-wind-turbines-asks-ge/
- Published: 2012-02-26T21:31:24-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Thanks to[ RemyC](http://www.RemyC.com), and this article on decibels from wind 
turbines. For he sends out regular email blast from many different listservs (hope
I spelled that right.. lol).  This article or report really talks about how to green
in a visualy interesting way regarding the sound of wind turbines. People are concerned
about all sorts of things regarding going green like: is it safe, it’ll kill birds,
etc.  This shows the brass tax of how green living is safe, enjoyable and quiet.

This article that talks about their sound of decibels. That is an interesting discussion
since people who have never seen one in action don’t know what it even sounds like.
GE reports states:

Because wind [turbines](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/12/nyserda-funding-for-on-site-wind-turbines-to-help-new-yorkers/)
are such a great source of clean, renewable energy, they’re usually greeted with
a great deal of enthusiasm. But some complaints have been made that they can cause
too much noise for residents living within a mile of the blades.

# So just how noisy are these turbines?

The closest that a wind turbine is typically placed to a home is 300 meters or more.
At that distance, a turbine will have a sound pressure level of 43 decibels. To 
put that in context, the average air conditioner can reach 50 decibels of noise,
and most refrigerators run at around 40 decibels.

In addition and at 500 meters (0.3 miles) away, that sound pressure level drops 
to 38 decibels. In most places, according to Keith Longtin of GE Global Research.
So the background noise ranges from 40 to 45 decibels. That’s meaning that a turbine’s
noise would be lost amongst it. For the stillest, most rural areas. So Longtin says
the background noise is 30 decibels. At that level, finally a turbine located about
a mile away wouldn’t be heard.

**_Source: GE Reports_**,

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)