Domestic wind turbines will actually work in some parts of the UK, according to the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

Windfarms and their giant turbines have become a familiar sight in recent years, but there has been a suspicion that domestic wind energy equipment was just for show.

However, an extensive EST study concluded that the type of small-scale turbines suitable for home use could generate sufficient energy to power the equivalent of 825,000 homes.

EST's researchers found that pole-mounted domestic turbines could generate up to £2,300 worth of electricity a year, while building mounted set-ups could generate up to £127 worth.

Those considerable financial savings - not to mention cuts in carbon emissions - are not available everywhere. While householders in rural Scotland may find wind turbines are an effective energy saving measure, EST's report notes that the electricity generated by them in urban areas is negligible.

Despite this, EST's study must be seen as a real positive by those who care about the impact of climate change.

Consumers should welcome any technology which helps to drive down carbon emissions and cut energy bills, even if they cannot benefit from it themselves.

After all, there is plenty of choice out there for people who want to help the environment and save money in the long term. Energy saving
eco gadgets, solar panels and even just simple solutions such as low-energy lightbulbs are all worth trying.