FORT WORTH, Texas -- A scorching summer meant shocking electric bills for many North Texans. But a family in Collin County plans to get rid of high utility costs with an old idea that has a new twist.

Monika Amick said she would love to slash her electric bill after, she said, last month's bill hit $560. Amick has come to the home of Paul and Elena Westbrook, along with NBC 5, to see how they are taking strides to lower their utility costs.

---

Video

---

The Westbrooks are among the first to install the latest generation wind turbine called the Skystream.

"There were several reasons we decided to do it. The first, of course, is to cut our electric bill," said Elena Westbrook.

Paul Westbrook estimates that the turbine will cut his utility costs by about 40 percent.

What makes this wind turbine so special is that it's designed specifically for residential use -- a simple and affordable design that starts paying you back quickly, NBC 5's Brian Curtis said.

"The whole point was to make this in the realm of a payback that a homeowner could use," said Frank Greco of Southwest Windpower.

The Skystream can be up and running for as little as $8,500 -- and that is about a third to a half cheaper than what older units once cost, Greco said.

Depending on how much wind there is, the turbine could pay for itself in as few as five years.

"I have a little investment here, but it's gonna pay back over time, and once it's paid for I'm just making money off the unit after that," said Paul Westbrook.

The Westbrooks admitted there were a lot of questions from neighbors, including some who wondered how tall the unit was going to be or how much noise it would make.

In short, the turbine sits a top a 35-foot pole, and even at high speed, it can barely be heard, Paul Westbrook said.

"We're trying to be very efficient and have a lighter footprint on the planet," said Elena Westbrook.

The Westbrooks also don't mind blowing away their electric bill.

"When those first good North Texas cool fronts punch through -- I'll be out watching it spin and watching my meter go backwards," said Paul Westbrook.

On The Web:
Southwest Windpower