Traditional wind-power systems that can produce the 1,000 kilowatt hours that the average U.S. home consumes each month cost $60,000 to $80,000.

The new $6,000 Honeywell Wind Turbine WT6500 on display at this year's Builders' Show can't produce that much electricity, but it can make a big dent in your electric bill even if average wind speeds at your home are as low as 2 mph, claims the manufacturer.

The 170-pound Honeywell Wind Turbine consists of a 6-foot-wide rooftop-mounted fan whose magnet-tipped blades revolve in a wheellike housing with copper coils. Electricity is generated directly in the unit, a setup that according to the manufacturer avoids the energy losses common to traditional wind-power systems.

The Honeywell Wind Turbine WT6500 is available exclusively at Ace Hardware stores, and a 30 percent federal tax credit is available to offset the installed cost of the system.

In the video (right), Bob Markovich, editor of the Consumer Reports Home franchise, looks at the how the unit works and whether it can eventually pay for itself.

Read more of our 2010 International Builders' Show coverage via our Twitter page, blog posts, and videos.

—Gian Trotta

Essential information: Learn how to shrink your carbon footprint as well as your utility bills using the information on our Energy Saving & Green Living guide.