Quick Takeaways
- A small wind turbine on your farm is built for the long term - around 20 years, with proper maintenance
- The EAZ-model windmill requires relatively little maintenance due to its mechanical design
- You can monitor performance yourself via the Molenaars app and spot issues early
- Basic checks around your installation and surroundings help prevent avoidable damage
- Ecoways handles monitoring, scheduled maintenance, and technical adjustments
You install it for the long run. Just like your barns, your machinery, or your milking systems, it becomes part of how your business operates every day.
And like everything else on your farm, it needs attention to keep doing its job properly.
A well-maintained wind turbine can run for around 20 years. That’s the expectation with an EAZ-model windmill. That lifespan is reliant on a combination of solid design, regular checks, and timely maintenance.
You keep an eye on how your system behaves day to day. We take care of the technical side, the inspections, and the adjustments that keep everything running smoothly over time.
At Ecoways, the goal is simple: stable energy production on your land, year after year.
From the first location analysis through to years of maintenance, the system is managed as one complete setup. For many farms, the wind turbine also becomes part of a broader energy system with solar and storage, working together across seasons.
What is the lifespan of a small wind turbine on a farm?
A small agricultural wind turbine is built to last.
For an EAZ-model windmill, you’re looking at a lifespan of roughly 20 years. That’s based on real-world use in farm environments.
These turbines are designed specifically for rural settings:
- Open landscapes with steady wind
- Continuous operation throughout the year
- Exposure to weather, dirt, and daily farm activities
We understand that the farm doesn’t switch off at night. Energy demand continues, whether it’s for ventilation, cooling, feeding systems, or machinery - so you need a wind turbine that runs steadily, without frequent downtime.
Maintenance is key to guarantee consistency. It keeps the system in good condition across its full lifespan.
Regular maintenance is also part of meeting permit and insurance conditions - so keeping your turbine in good condition becomes not only about performance, but about staying compliant over time.
Why the EAZ wind turbine requires little maintenance
One of the main reasons EAZ wind turbines are well-suited for farms is how they’re built.
The design is largely mechanical.
That has a few practical advantages:
- Fewer sensitive electronic components inside the turbine
- Less that can fail unexpectedly
- More predictable behaviour over time
On the farm, this means:
- Lower maintenance intensity
- Fewer unexpected breakdowns
- Stable energy production
Compared to systems that rely heavily on electronics, a mechanical setup is easier to manage in outdoor conditions. Dirt, moisture, and temperature changes have less impact on performance.
Maintenance is still required, but it’s more straightforward, more predictable, and easier to plan around your farm operations.
What can you, as a farmer, do to ensure your small wind turbine runs smoothly?
You don’t need to be a technician to keep your wind turbine in good shape.
There are a few simple checks that make a real difference over time.
1. Check performance digitally
Most modern windmills have an app or digital interface through which to monitor performance.
With an EAZ-model small wind turbine, our ‘Millers app’ gives you direct insight into how your turbine is performing.
You can see:
- Daily energy production
- Patterns over time
- Sudden drops or unusual behaviour
If production drops without a clear reason, such as low wind, that’s a signal to act.
In many cases, early detection prevents bigger issues later.
We also monitor systems remotely, but your view as an owner is just as important. You know what’s normal for your location.
2. Check the installation and surroundings
Your turbine doesn’t operate in isolation. It’s part of your farm environment.
It’s important to:
- Keep the electrical cabinet protected
- Make sure it’s not in the path of tractors or livestock
- Avoid accidental damage from daily activity
There have been real cases where livestock knocked over components. It sounds small, but it can lead to downtime. Good placement and awareness prevent that.
3. Check the condition of the mill from time to time
A visual check now and then goes a long way.
Look at:
- Blade condition
- Movement of the rotor
- Whether the turbine behaves as expected
You don’t need detailed measurements. You’re looking for anything that stands out compared to normal operation.
If something looks off, it’s worth letting us know!
4. Maintenance of wooden blades
EAZ-model wind turbines use wooden blades. Like any wooden structure exposed to the elements, they need periodic treatment.
Every five years, the blades should be resealed with a protective coating. This prevents small cracks from developing into bigger problems.
You can compare it to maintaining wooden window frames. If you stay ahead of it, the material stays in good condition for much longer.
When needed, we can handle this as part of maintenance. In some cases, blades are temporarily replaced so the work can be done under the right conditions.
What Ecoways can do for you: servicing and maintenance of your small agricultural wind turbine
We take care of the technical side so your system keeps running as part of your daily operation, without you having to manage the details yourself.
Most owners choose to have maintenance handled through a service agreement.
That way, you know your system is checked regularly and kept in proper condition without having to manage it yourself.
1. Monitoring your wind turbine
We monitor your system remotely.
This allows us to detect:
- Drops in production
- Downtime
- Communication issues
- Irregular behaviour
Monitoring happens continuously, with structured checks:
- Daily checks on output and faults
- Weekly checks on mast movement
- Monthly checks on rotational speed
Your system is checked daily, weekly, and monthly across different parameters, so any irregularities are picked up early.
Remote monitoring gives a clear picture of performance, but not everything can be seen from a distance. Physical inspections remain essential to fully assess the condition of the system.
2. Regular maintenance
We carry out scheduled maintenance every 18 months for wind turbines.
A typical service visit:
- Takes around 3 to 5 hours
- Is planned in advance
- Fits around your farm operations
What do we check during an on-site small windmill service visit?
During a service visit, our technicians inspect and adjust key components, including:
- Pitch angle of the blades
- Rotor movement
- Rotational speed
- Balance of the system
- Lubrication of moving parts
- Wear on components
We also:
- Refill and replace necessary materials
- Adjust settings where needed
- Check overall system behaviour
We aim to keep everything running as it should, without surprises.
What happens if there is a fault?
If something goes wrong, you contact us directly.
From there:
- Our service team investigates the issue
- We check available data and system behaviour
- If needed, we schedule a technician visit
For non-urgent issues:
- We aim to respond within two weeks
- We guarantee a response within six weeks
This structure gives you clarity. You know what to expect and when.
If your issue is urgent, then we’ll work with you to get the problem resolved as soon as possible.
In many cases, issues are identified early through our monitoring or your own checks and resolved before they affect your day-to-day operations.
FAQ: Service & maintenance of a small windmill
How often does a small wind turbine need maintenance?
Typically, every 18 months for wind systems, with ongoing remote monitoring in between.
Can I maintain the wind turbine myself?
You can handle basic checks and monitoring. Technical maintenance is handled by trained technicians.
How long does an EAZ-model wind turbine last?
Around 20 years with proper maintenance and care.
What does the Millers app show?
Energy production, system behaviour, and performance trends over time.
What happens if I don’t take a maintenance contract?
Maintenance is still required. Regular inspection is necessary to meet safety and operational standards.
How quickly are faults resolved?
We aim to respond within two weeks, with a guaranteed response within six weeks. If your issue is urgent, then we’ll work with you to get the problem resolved as soon as possible.
Do wooden blades require maintenance?
Yes. They should be resealed approximately every five years to prevent damage.
Wrapping things up: Proper maintenance determines the efficiency of your small agricultural wind turbine
A wind turbine on your farm has one job: produce energy reliably.
When your wind turbine is maintained properly, it becomes a reliable part of your farm’s wider energy setup, working alongside solar and storage to keep your operations running.
It:
- Extends the lifespan of your system
- Prevents unexpected downtime
- Keeps performance stable across seasons
Without it, small issues turn into bigger ones. With it, your turbine becomes a steady part of your operation for years to come. That’s how you get the most out of your investment.
Next steps
If you’re considering a wind turbine, it starts with understanding what works on your land.
A location analysis looks at:
- Wind conditions
- Your energy use
- The layout of your farm
- Regional and local legislation
It gives you a clear view of what your system could look like in practice.
Book a location analysis with Ecoways and see how wind, solar and storage can work together on your farm.
