We’ve all seen the television ad for EDF’s new energy saving initiative eco renew. But what are the power giants really aiming for? And has eco20:20 and climate change hit these companies like some kind of fever? Who really has the cure here? These questions may be at the back of our minds as we sit down in front of the box and watch as EDF’s logo pops up on the screen. So here is the information about how this company stays in popular public sight, and a few more facts that should move those question-marks from the back of your brain to the tip of your tongue.

 EDF and eco renew

Let’s get one thing out in the open eco renew is a product. EDF have manufactured a marketable package that appeals to the general public of homeowners. But why? Clearly the energy supplier must be offering us a range of benefits that are wide enough to include a broad and general sweep of their existent, or potential, consumers. These benefits can be summed up in one word: savings. EDF want to help save homeowners money by offering a service that can viably achieve this goal. As well as reducing your carbon footprint, EDF commit their eco renewservice to help reduce your energy bills. How? By using the emerging technologies of microgenerational energy units.

Microgeneration, in its popular and accessible form, consists of three basic but reliable units. These eco-friendly alternatives are based on renewable or more sustainable models of what is already being used in your home. By generating your own low carbon energy you will be making sizable savings on the unfortunately perennial Gas & Electricity bill. Existing users have said to save as much as a third off of previous statements. And with microgenerational technologies becoming ever emergent and popular, their efficiency will increase. This becomes a situation known as ‘a demand cycle’, one that our UK government have been anxious to establish: the more we utilise renewable power sources, the more the technology advances and integrates into UK homes, thus resulting in E.U. 2020 requisites being achieved (i.e. Britain has been set a target of producing 1/3 of its electricity from Green, renewable sources).

EDF are also setting themselves targets of low or zero CO2 energy production. After spokesmen announced their purchase of British Energy, the French powerhouse has turned its ecological eye to Britain; and have since set about development of four European pressurized reactors, in order to deliver even more clean energy into UK homes.

So why use EDF? The energy supplier have made it very simple for its customers – call, confirm, install. Just like that. The power corporation have a call team that will be able to advise on whether or not your home is suitable for eco renew,and talk to you about the costs involved in the entire procedure. EDF then send a local surveyor, free of charge, to visit your home in order to confirm that the estimations given over the phone are both accurate and viable. And then once it has been determined what type of microgenerational program suits your home, the installation can take place.

There are three renewable alternatives that EDF offer for your home: Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal, and Air source heat pumps. Basically, it will depend on the location and infrastructure of your current location as to which service you’ll receive. However, all have their benefits.

Solar Photovaltaic technology, put simply, is solar panelling. Arguably one of the most popular and integrated solutions for homeowner looking to do their bit for the environment (as well as their bank accounts!). Solar Photovaltaic panels use PV cells to soak up the sun, harness the natural energy stored in its rays and then converts this – with the aid of electrical generation systems – into longwave energy, which can be stored for those not so sunny days, night time emergencies, and black-outs! It is a great step towards becoming sustainably self-sufficient.

Solar Thermal works under the same premise as Photovaltaic, utilising PV cells. But in this instance it is used to convert sunlight into energy, which then heats your water. This will seriously reduce the need to use your boiler in the summer months, and also cut a chunk out of those weighty winter bills. Whereas Photovaltaic is designed to supply clean power for electrical appliances, Solar Thermal is dedicated to heating your water systems, and can provide 5.5% of energy related savings.

And the last (but not final) solution EDF are offering with their standard packages is the Air source heat pumps. This is another low carbon alternative to gas and oil boilers. It sucks air from outside and channels the inherent warmth to heating outlets, such as radiators.

Whatever their solution, EDF are committed to providing accessible, integrateable, and renewable alternatives to help homeowners make the change the entire nation is committed to. That’s why eco renewis one of Britain’s most popular and reliable power packages, and another reason to help out in the race for climate control.

EDF and eco renew

Posted under Articles, Climate, Corporate, Eco Reviews, House & Home, Renewable Energy

Brunton solar-rechargeable pioneers, pride themselves on their durable power sources that led to the first flexible solar panel. The Solar Roll was the first, but certainly not their last. Since its release, Brunton U.S. have developed and refined the high-tech, rugged and adaptable technology that has received glowing reviews from around the world. Travellers, adventurers and expedition groups across the globe have packed a Brunton as essential equipment for their life-changing activities. However, what is most exciting, Brunton have recognised that even the ordinary days of week-in week-out are committed to another level of living. And have since began production of Brunton Solar Rolls in varying outputs and alternative sizes to accommodate their emergence onto the commercial market. Soon the Solar Roll will be available to power anything from the car battery to handheld cameras. But for now, here is a list of Brunton solar products that are making power portable

Brunton Solaris i6 iPod Charger

Nearly everybody has an iPod these days, and the majority of them have subsequently lost their charger. But if you’ve still got hold of one, now there’s one step better to take you that bit further. That’s right, the Brunton Solaris i6 iPod Charger. No larger than a diary, this foldable solar charger is set to become just as important. In clear sunlight the Solaris i6 can run your iPod, giving you access to those favourite tunes and videos, even if the battery is empty. Not only that, the Solaris i6 can plug directly into your iPod Mini, iPod Nano, or iPod to convert the sun’s natural energy into a full battery in 2 to 4 hours!

The unit includes a 12 volt vehicle adapter which connects to other small electronics, so you can recharge them out and about too. Small, compact, lightweight and practically ingenious, the Brunton Solaris i6 iPod Charger retails at approximately £95 (150 USD) making it a perfect gift solution for any music lover or festival goer this year.

Brunton SolarRoll TM 9

A general electronics charger, the Solar Roll was the inspiration driving the first flexible solar panel. A classic in its own right, the evolution of the Solar Roll has taken Brunton to new heights. And now that it has been waterproofed, they can carry on their ascent whatever the weather.

Commonly used by kayakers and other seafarers who take their photography with a certain professionalism, this product is at the forefront in its field (or should we say glade). When necessary or in preparation, simply unroll the durable flexi-panel and drape it on the nearest surface. With a 9 watt output, it is excellent and by all means efficient in charging appliances as high-tech as satellite phones, PDAs, and high-spec laptops, to the more domestic mobile phone and digital camera. And weighing just 9.2 ounces, wherever your adventure, don’t leave home without it. Retailing at £175 (277 USD), the open dimensions are 12″ x 40″ for effective utility.

Brunton SolarPortTM 4.4

The Solar Port is for those needed protection from the slightly more hardcore. A more heavy-duty unit, the Solar Port 4.4 still weighs only 19 ounces and measures in at 9.3″x6″x1.5″ – remarkably compact. Using a USB connection, this innovative power alternative will keep you on the map, charging mobile phones, GPS tracking systems, photography equipment and digital cameras. Strong, durable, robust with a weatherproof hard-shell case, the foldable Solar Port 4.4 uses the same photo crystalline solar technology with a 12 volt connection you can rely on. A slightly cheaper retail price of £69 (109 USD) the Solar Port is a must have for any Eco-enthusiast or outdoor activist.

There is so much going on behind the scenes at Brunton it is going to be hard to tell where they’re going next with this innovative and exciting technology. But one thing’s for sure, if they’re at the summit of Mount Everest or at the heart of the Dead Sea, they’ll be able to drop us an email.

Posted under Articles, Corporate, Eco Reviews, Product Innovations, Renewable Energy

There is a horrible saying that goes with working in a city and owning a car; Drive to Work, Work to Drive. Unfortunately, this little axiom has a rather grim underbelly. When you consider the statistics – it costs the average car owner over £4000 a year; and in terms of time, that equates to 3 months of work, just to own and run a car! – it becomes increasingly clear why so many are finding alternatives. But look no further:

Bikes are a fantastic place to start. Do away with polluting the Earth and wasting your time, and bring out your bike before setting off to work. If you need more convincing than what you can save in terms of your personal life, then put this in your mind’s eye: for every gallon of petrol used in your car, 20.4 lbs of CO2 emissions will be released into the environment. Still hard to see a clear reason? Well, in the case of sustainable energy use, bicycles are 2/3 more efficient than cars – even if you factor in the energy to produce the extra food the cyclist requires.

There are literally hundreds of essays and articles all brimming with facts on Why we should be taking to the streets on two wheels instead of four, but for those still stuck between the two, who like the idea of the bike ride to work or play, but with a little less pedaling; here at EcoSwitch we have found the perfect solution – and they call it ECO-PED.

The Bike

The ECO-PED is an electric bicycle company which assembles electric motor kits (lithium ion battery) onto lightweight frames, available for sale throughout the UK and online in stores. ECO-PED pride themselves on their reliability and accessible practicability for any customer type, and it shows! The electric bicycle company mount their ECO-PED kits onto a range of user friendly and comfortable bikes, making them a sure thing for those who are still a little unsure. Prices range roughly from £600 to £899. And the kit itself is available to buy if you fancy yourself as a bit of a D.I.Y expert, retailing at £499 inc. VAT.
However, if you already own a bike and was wondering whether or not you’d be able to use an ECO-PED kit to power your favourite two wheels, then take the cycle down to your local dealer and they’ll be able to advise if this is possible – most bikes are fine, and for around £90 service charge you could even have it fitted then and there.

The Benefits

Compact and lightweight, the ECO-PED box is fitted on to the lower seat-stem or inner side of your bike frame, and serves as a perfect sign for the gadget’s efficient and sustainable intent. The range in distance from a fully charged battery is approximately 25 miles travelled (dependant and gradients and weight involved in journey) and is recharged to full power in 4 to 6 hours. Maximum speed from an ECO-PED power kit is around 15mph. And when you consider the average urban bus speed is about 12mph, then this really is a great Eco-solution.
Other specifications include ignition keys for added security; handle bar dials which signal Full, Half and Empty, so you know when to recharge the battery; and a thumb throttle to allow you to feed in the power without pedaling once you are on the move, coasting past all that unnecessary traffic.

ECO-PED bike kits and bicycles are another great way that shows how innovative and intelligent technology is being used to make every day a little greener – as well as a little healthier now too!

Posted under Articles, Cars & Transport, Eco Reviews, Lifestyle & Fashion

Woman everywhere take note; not only can we be eco-friendly in the way that we live our lives. We can be organic in the way that we ‘make ourselves up’. There are various benefits to using organic cosmetics;

1. It is better for your skin
2. It has been made out of organic materials
3. It benefits the farmers that have made the organic materials for the product
4. It has been made in such a way that it will not affect the environment

There are a number of different shops that offer these products in this particular market. The most well known being The Body Shop. Being the second largest cosmetic franchise in the world, they sell a lot of cosmetics.

“The company also pledge that by 2010, 80% of all it’s products will be artificial preservative free, as the company are researching many ways to use natural preservative, using tea-tree oil for example, one of nature’s natural anti-bacterials.”

To further ensure that the product that you are using is ‘green’, you could make it yourself. This is one of the easiest ways to be 100% sure that the product you are using is;

1. Recyclable; any product left over can be recycled either in a compost heap or via a food recycling bin
2. ‘Green’; you know what you have put into it, therefore you know that the product is made entirely from plants, fruits etc…

There are all different ranges of make-up, however, each of these ranges sell the same products, all claiming to be better than their competitor. I have found that the best organic make-up range tends to be The Body Shop not only does it tend to feel light on your face, it doesn’t give you spots and is a fairly decent product.
Boots Natural Range are also a good manufacturer of organic make-up. Depending on how well-off you are depends on whether or not you are able to maintain your levels of make-up with an organic make. Boots Natural Range is a cheap and fairly reliable manuacturer of make-up and enables you to live the ‘green’ life that you have aspired to lead.

In a lifetime, the human race wash, at the very least, once a day. This means that we a lot of shower gels, body scrubs etc. You name it, someone will probably be using at this very second. Being ‘green’ there are alot of shower gels out there are made from 100% recycled bottles, but there are also organic shower gels, body scrubs etc, that you can use. One that I find nice to use is Jo Woods Organics Tula Cleansing Body Mousse. But there are a number of other organic shower gels that you can use in order to be clean and feel good about your lifestyle. Such as Weleda, Jo Woods, Korres Natural Products, Green People Organic Aloe Vera Shower Gel just to name a few.

To find out more about these products, click on the links provided below:
www.boots.com
www.Korres.com
www.weleda.co.uk
www.jowoodsorganics.com

Posted under Eco Reviews, Lifestyle & Fashion, Uncategorized

I was looking around the internet to find out more about eco-friendly destinations and I came across an interesting article over at Natural Home Magazine of which I am going to share with ecoswitch users. These are the top 10 eco destinations of North America and they provide you with cutting edge eco-tourism by meeting the following criteria;

The destination was built using environmentally sound methods and/or operates with alternative energy sources; it minimizes human impact on natural habitats and promotes resource conservation; it sustains the well-being of local people and/or indigenous communities; and it helps raise visitors’ environmental and cultural awareness.

UNITED STATES

El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa- Taos, New Mexico
(800) 828-8267; ElMonteSagrado.com

Inn Serendipity Bed & Breakfast- Browntown, Wisconsin
(608) 329-7056; InnSerendipity.com

Papoose Creek Lodge- Cameron, Montana
(406) 682-3030; PapooseCreek.com

Sadie Cove Wilderness Lodge- Homer, Alaska
(888) 283-7234; SadieCove.com

Yosemite National Park- Sierra Nevada mountains, California
YosemitePark.com

CANADA
Cree Village EcoLodge- Moose Factory Island, Ontario
(888) 273-3929; CreeVillage.com

Forest House Eco-Lodge- Air Ronge, Saskatchewan
(306) 635-2242; ForestHouse.ca

Wilderness Outpost at Bedwell River- Clayoquot Sound, BC
(888) 333-5405; WildRetreat.com

MEXICO

Danzante Eco-Resort – Baja California Sur
408-354-0042 (California); Danzante.com

Hotelito Desconocido – Costa Alegre, Jalisco
(800) 851-1143; Hotelito.com

Posted under Articles, Eco Reviews, Eco Travel