AUGUSTA -- Clean, quiet, inexpensive energy is closer than many think.

A local business is taking steps to provide homeowners and businesses with an alternative energy source that the company says can save people money.

Aeris Alternative Energy, a division of All Season Home Improvement Co, at 823 Church Hill Road, in Augusta, deals in a new generation of wind turbines that hook up to your home or office to reduce monthly electric bills.

The company says its product -- called the Skystream 3.7 -- is the first all-inclusive wind generator, with controls and inverter built in, that's designed to provide quiet, clean electricity in very low winds.

Company owner Bob Greig said he first became interested in personal wind turbines after watching an evening news story about the devices two years ago. They were being installed in a residential neighborhood in New Jersey, and Greig was intrigued.

He called the manufacturer, Southwest Windpower, to learn how he could become a authorized dealer in the Augusta area. Greig completed a course to learn how to install the wind generators, then he purchased five for his inventory, which he says he quickly sold.

"Come June, we had 15 sold," he said. "Last year, we installed 42 and this year we already put up 18, and have 22 on the books. We're looking to do 60 this year."

Earlier this month, All Season installed a Skystream at Paradigm Window Solutions on Riverside Industrial Parkway in Portland.

The giant wind turbine is visible near Exit 52 as you travel north or south on Interstate 95.

Last year, the company also put up a turbine on former President Bush's Walkers Point compound.

The turbines can be seen in the yards of Maine homes in Turner, Winslow, Farmington and beyond.

"I'm going to expand my business if additional orders come in to keep up with the demand for the product," Greig said. "Right now we have everything under control."

The company employs between 20 and 30 people, depending on the season, he said.

A wind turbine can generate electricity once wind speed reaches 8 mph, he said. The device can produce an estimated 400 kilowatts to 700 kilowatts a month while cutting down on pollution that would come with traditional generation, he said.

An average household uses about 600 kilowatts a month.

A wind turbine can reduce electric bills by 40 percent to 90 percent a month, depending on the wind, Greig said.

He said the Skystream model connects to the utility grid. When the turbine does not produce enough electricity, a home will start drawing electricity from its power company. If the turbine produces excess energy, the excess will feed into the grid and the homeowner will receive credits from the power company.

Jim and Martha Floyd of Vienna say they got one because they wanted a cheaper bill and to do something good for the environment.

"We're really happy with it," Floyd said. "Right now, I'm just sitting here watching it," he said by phone. "It's nice to see it's just out there, doing its thing."

Greig said the turbines are a long-term investment. They cost $13,900 installed.

He said there is a bill in the state legislature, LD 349, to provide a tax credit for the purpose of small wind generators for personal and business use.

"We are committed to these things to help peak people's interest in alternative energy," he said. "Whether it's solar or wind, it certainly the up-and-coming growth industry in the state of Maine and the country."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com