Nowadays when we talk about encouraging and sustaining the use of natural and organic fabrics our minds can all too easily jump across seas to countries like India or China where we imagine such talk to be of particular ecological relevance. It is also just as easy to forget that here in Britain we too are trying to encourage and sustain the production of time-old, traditional and local industrial practises that will help support the all round benefits of using natural products. That’s why, with over 25 years of classic contemporary design to its name, a heart-warming pride in their fabrics being 100% natural fibres, and 90% of it being woven here in UK cotton mills, Ian Mankin is a domestic design trove we think deserves to be put on our map.

With showrooms in Fulham and Primrose Hill, Ian Mankin is a great example of British classical designs for a growing contemporary market. And what makes this fabric designer even more special is the fact that they produce ninety percent of their materials in Lancashire cotton mills – using natural and organic fabrics!

Natural fabrics are not only good for our environment, but they also hold innate qualities that suit and benefit our skin types. It is also a well know fact that fabrics woven from organically grown cotton and flax, hemp and ramie, or harvested from silkworms and sheep, are renewable, sustainable resources that promote a healthy ecological cycle, as well as support an under used market. It’s simple: when we use ecologically friendly fabrics we help support their production processes and dis-courage unsustainable practises associated with synthetics, which are largely produced from petroleum and mineral sources.

Linen, for example, is one of Ian Mankin’s trusted fabrics. Like silk, linen has been used for thousands of years. It is woven from the fibres of the flax plant and can be made to fit a lightweight and breathable application, or take on a strong and durable consistency. They hold dermatological benefits like cotton and wool, and become softer use after use – which is why they often become family heirlooms!

Speaking of families, Ian Mankin distinguishes itself by its traditional practises that have been passed down over six generations:

“We believe passionately in design, quality and service. We are extremely proud that our fabrics are made from 100% natural fibres and over 90% are woven in this country in our own traditional Lancashire cotton mill, run by the same family for six generations.”

And in 2009, Ian Mankin were shortlisted for there good work within the industry, making the grade to reach the finals of the Natural & Organic Award 2009, in partnership with the Soil Association.

There is definitely a bright future for this 25 year old fabric firm. Just looking through their website at the long lists and reinspired ranges, it is clear to see a mark of quality to their products as well as a finish to their linens and patterning that is apparent not only in their look-books, but also to the touch-test of the showroom. With literally hundreds of options to choose from, you can be sure to find a suitable fabric with a price-tag that you know will help support the British textile industry and promote a healthy practise for the market, as well as your skin!

Source: Ian Mankin

Posted under Articles, House & Home

Autumn is here, and the house has never felt cosier. It’s a lovely time of year to set out for leafy parks, long Autumnal walks, or brisk trips to the local grocery store so you can stock up on supplies. But just as you settle in for a nice warm evening, it has sneakily crept back into the front room: that’s right, the dreaded cold draft. We’ve long battled against this unwanted guest; at times even catered for its every need – indoor scarves, an extra jumper or two – but now enough is enough! It’s time for action.

Having sealed off every possible cause; checked every window, closed every door, shut ourselves away from the imperceptable, it can be easy to overlook the real culprit here…the chimney. And after attempting to screw up enough paper to stuff the thing full, only to have last year’s headlines and thick black soot come spilling out, we can be just one step away from bordering up the entire affair with blocks of ugly bricking. But wait! Don’t lose your head just yet. There is a solution, and they call it The Chimney Balloon.

Simple science is the enemy here: the rules of convection are what makes your chimney such an effective tool when it is operational – as hot air rises, full of smoke, your chimney funnels away the unwanted dirty air and leaves you with the cosy heat from the furnace so you can warm the tips of your toes. But what happens when you’re not using it? Unfortunately even when your chimney is not in use it is releasing hot air and replacing it with a continual cold current. This is highly inefficient. Effectively, your boiler could be heating air to put straight up your chimney. And you can be sure that it wont be the temperature that rises; just your energy bills.

The Chimney Balloon is a simple solution to make your home more energy efficient. Even though the Chimney Balloon looks a little like a Potugease Man of War, this great ‘green’ gadget is a sure way to eliminate the cause of draughts and heat loss, and might help win the battle over your energy bills.

The product comes in a variety of sizes (ranging from 380mm x 230mm to 900mm x 380mm) so it will fit most, if not any, domestic chimney. It is easy to inflate, simple to install, and entirely safe to use; for instance, it is made with a regulated plastic so that if a fire was lit by accident it would melt and dispense itself rather than ignite in an unreachable spot. The laminate is tear-resistant, durable, and the device itself can be inflated by mouth or by an airbed pump.

Unlike just stuffing an ordinary balloon up there, or promoting the summer beach ball to a new job role, the Chimney Balloon is designed not to burst, shrivel or deflate: making it airtight and reliable. The best thing about this gizmo is, although it can be used permanently, it is not irreversible – just unlatch the air tab and have it drop back into your arms for use again next year.
The product is also a cheap alternative – retailing from £19.99 – and has a genuine, patented design that allows ventilation without any of the associated heat loss. So don’t try and make your own. Available from www.goodenergyshop.co.uk, it is an ingenious way to rid your rooms of unwanted chills and make this Autumn the cosiest yet.

Source: http://www.chimney-balloon.co.uk/

Posted under House & Home

It’s been said time and time again, but it’s true: what we want most of all for our children is a brighter, better tomorrow. And more than ever, we are being confronted with the difficulties of these dreams for such a tomorrow to be realised. Global warming, mass pollution, consumerism, there really seems to be no escape! But it is also fair to say that an escape from today is not what we need. What we need are sustainable alternatives to the throw-away culture we’ve gotten disturbingly used to. That’s definitely something we can agree on. But is agreeing enough? Even within the most innocent of circles, can we afford to be one of the many who keep on with our bad habits?

According to the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), nearly 3 billion disposable nappies are being thrown away in the UK every year. Around 90% of these difficult-to-decompose plastics end up being sent to landfill. Without mentioning the costs local authorities incur disposing plastic nappies, or highlighting the fact that landfill space is running out, or even needing to stress the impact that 8 million nappies a day being thrown away, in the UK alone, can have on the environment – surely this is one alternative that shouldn’t need re-emphasising…Unfortunately, that is not the case.

The majority of parents, guardians and carers are still preoccupied with supermarket solutions to child care; and it is doubtful that many realise that there was a time before disposables. However, this is not a naming and shaming. After all, we’re all guilty of a few faux pas that would land us in trouble with the Green Police. So what’s to be done? Lucky for us there is a group who do remember I time when reusable was the status quo, at time too when your baby would be clothed in nothing but natural fibres. And what’s best about these eco-outfitters? They’re modern just like you…

Little ECO Warriors

Little ECO Warriors (LEW) is a UK based eco-outfitter, supplying a handpicked selection of nappies in bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton. As well as selling a full range of baby accessories to help make your life easier and your little one’s future brighter, LEW also offer free delivery on all orders – even on items as small as natural & organic toiletries. Little ECO Warrior say:

There really is a friendly, family atmosphere coming from this eco-group. Their website (found below) details all the benefits you’ll get from using cloth nappies instead of disposables; benefits for you, you baby, your budget and your environment. They also provide helpful starter tips:

Visit their store online today and you’ll see how they change your mind about paying-out for disposables next time you go shopping.

Source: www.littleecowarriors.co.uk

Posted under Articles, Health, House & Home

Now that we’ve shown you the whereabouts to one of London’s most-loved Fair Trade stop offs, it is once again time to drop in and have a look around to see what Autumn essentials Jo Lawbuary and her team have seen to their shelves.

Keep those chills away…

Handloom Wool Blankets: Organic and hand made in the foothills of the Himalaya, by the Timalagabar village co-op society. They come in two assorted sizes pankhi – 100 x 200cm., RRP £44.99 – a thinner weave to the wool, perfect as a throw by the bed or over the side of the sofa. The thoolma is a slightly larger and thicker blanket – 150 x 250cm., RRP £125 – its heavily worked handloom wool is an ideal duty blanket to really snuggle into.

Handloom Cotton Bedlinen: Fully machine washable handloom cotton. This range of linen has been made under the care of Reaching the Unreached (www.rtu.org.uk), a development organisation in Southern India, and Artisan Hut, Bangladesh in partnership with Fairly Covered (www.fairlycovered.com). They come in five different styles: fine ribbed white, heavy white, pink chambray, amber and heavy blue. The duvets are available in the three traditional sizes (single, double and king size). So they offer a great ethical alternative to the thousands of us out there looking to change the covers before the winter weather sets in this year.

Kantha textiles: These are a personal and store favourite. Kantha textiles feature specialised regional techniques such as sujini and kanther embroidery and patchwork. The designs are delightfully whimsical, as well as bold and abstract. They cover a large range of items, including; the silk kantha throw, the kantha sari quilt, baby blankets, kantha janwar cushion covers, and much more.

Gift Solutions…

Aromatherapy Pot Candles: Handmade candles infused with essential oils in a hand-thrown clay pot. Made by Silence – a registered society of 25 years working for the social and economic rehabilitation of the deaf and the physically challenged (www.silence-india.com) – they come in a selection of scents and tasteful colours: lavender, vanilla, orange, jasmine, neem. RRP., £5.99.

Natuarl Incense: These incense cones, made by Greater Goods (www.greatergoodsonline.com) have been traditionally handrolled, using essential oils, floral perfumes and a delicate blend of flowers. They come in packs of 12 and retail at £1.75, and are great to have around the home or to be given as a gift.

Recycled Plastic: made in the UK, this range of items has found ways to recycle and apply plastics into interesting and innovative gifts. Notebooks, keyrings, clipboards and coasters are some of the charming examples for possible stocking-fillers this Christmas.

Ari Stitch Wallhangings: Produced using traditional cobblers stitch by the Self Employed Women’s Association – the SEWA works to ensure the active participation of poor women and self-employed women in the co-operative movement to support their lives with regular work and income – these wallhangings are stitched to intricate motifs and warm colourings; available in three sizes and range between £20 – £35.

Ganesha’s mix of interesting, traditional and innovative Fair Trade products are a great way to introduce friends and family to ethical alternatives. There is always a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in both London stores, so make sure you get down to see Ganesha’s full stock listings, and find out more about how and why these products were sourced.

website: www.ganesha.co.uk

Posted under Articles, House & Home, Lifestyle & Fashion

Books on how to live a more eco-friendly life can tend to be rather laborious and preachy – Do this, Stop that’s and Never Never’s always seem to prevail. However, instead of the ever-present voice of concern, this collection of top tidbits and clever ways to live a little greener will have you feeling less apologetic for a modern lifestyle and more I never knew that was even possible! So, without further adieu, here some of the top titles for this season

Simply Sustainable Homes – RRP £17.95: Listen up home-owners, renovators and builders! Here is an ABC guide for anyone looking to renovate, upgrade, or build their dream home in an ecologically friendly and sustainable way. This book’s simple style gives that hard to digest information in more agreeable bite sized chunks. It reveals the ways in which a sustainable home is one that is manageable and looks to minimise its overall impact on the planet. It advises on some of the most environmentally sustainable materials to build with, the energy ratios used in construction, and the waste predictions (as well as ways to reduce them) for the people living in such homes. Simply Sustainable Homes also shows its readers how to design their very own sustainable home, along with simple explanations of what makes more ‘green’ sense throughout stages of the build. This book is surely a touchstone for any home enthusiast looking to reduce their impact on his or her surroundings.

Author: Tim Pullen
Publisher: Ovolo Publishing Ltd
Pages: 176

Do It Yourself 12 Volt Solar Power – RRP £9.95: If they say that a good book is the print and page of a great mind, then Do It Yourself certainly offers fantastic testament to its author Michel Daniek. This 45 year old solar-wiz was born in Giessen, Germany. Fifteen years ago, upon reaching his 30th birthday, Michel simply became unhappy with the modern ways of life, bought himself a utility truck and decided to set out in search of alternative ways of living. Experimenting with a small solar system in his truck, it was the start of a long love-affair, and the author of this unique and inspiring book has never looked back!
When you read this book it will soon be apparent that no matter how much you thought you were doing to help the environment, there’s always that little bit more possible. Daniek makes doing that bit more somehow more appealing. Written in a fun, colloquial style, Daniek’s is a book that shows how anyone out their can suddenly turn around in their life, move far away from a mains power socket, and live a life powered by the sun. What else would we come to expect from a man known to his friends as Solar Michel.

Author: Michel Daniek
Publisher: Permanent Publications
Pages: 128

Don’t Throw It, Grow It! – RRP £6.99: Every kitchen seems to have one these days; set up next to the little recycling bin is a even smaller bucket-tub for what can only be described as mulch. Don’t Throw It, Grow It! is a great guide all about recycling your mulch (or kitchen produce, as it’s universally known) to help feed your new, hungry houseplants. Not only a fantastic thing-to-do with your tiny toddlers and eco-warriors of tomorrow, at the heart of this book is a simple cycle: reducing your waste by feeding your plants that improve your living conditions.
Every corner seems to have been covered. Techniques, maintenance and requirements are all there, as well as how to reduce the common house fly section of the entire experience. There are nearly 70 different varieties of houseplants covered between these pages; vegetables, fruit and nut plants, herbs and spices, as well as your more exotic sprouter. The best thing about it is, as soon as you pick up this little number you can already begin to picture who it is you are going to give it to, before it finds its new home behind the spice rack.

Author: Deborah Peterson & Millicent Selsam
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Pages: 153

Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants – RRP £4.95: If living a sustainable life is what this article has grown from, then there is no better place to finish than with human (that’s the first person pronoun) waste. It is commonly known that human urine contains most of the nutrients in domestic wastewater (which we are told time and time again to re-use), with less risk of disease. Liquid Gold begins by laying down a brief history of urine, but doesn’t bore or stop there – we are whipped off to worldwide landscapes where food is grown, the environment protected, fertilizers reduced, and nutrient cycles fully understood, all thanks to the thematic thread of urine.
This book is utter brilliance! Our author, Carol Steinfeld, projects director for Ecowater Projects, has managed to deliver an enlightening source of sustainability alongside proven profiled gardeners, who are more than happy to share their way withthe world. With a whimsical tone from start to finish (including some very amusing sketches) this book belongs in any household lavatory, but not as toilet humour – as an educational supplement!

Author: Carol Steinfeld
Publisher: Green Books
Pages: 128

Posted under Articles, House & Home, How To's & Guides

Now that Autumn is getting closer, the evening getting shorter and shorter, the mid-season light not as strong, and the temperature taking to its decline, it is starting to seem that little bit more necessary to make the home a touch cosier. And whilst the West wind picks up its chill, there is never a better time to break out those extra, additional heaters. But wait! Before you stomp a gigantic carbon-footprint through your own roof and are handed a electricity bill to match – there’s a more eco-friendly alternative out there! And they call it, the Eco-heater.

Do away with the old, inefficient, traditional electric heaters. Now there is a far better way to warm those cold toes and noses when you’re back indoors. The High Efficiency Electric Panel Heater, by Eco-heater, is a safe, effective and healthier alternative for replacing that frosty air with something a little cosier. It’s versatile design makes it very easy to set up. Eco-heaters come with an installation kit, inclusive of drill bits etc., that will welcome any handyman or D.I.Y kit. They are coated with a PVA waterproof paint, so are very easy to wipe down; whilst the paint itself actually prevents external moisture form being drawn into the panel – eliminating the chance of mold or dampness. The unit comes in a neutral white (which is very handy, as it can then be painted to match any wall colour) weighs approx. 15lbs and measures 23 1/4″ x 23 1/4″ x 3/8″ – which is about the average size of a small household radiator.

Unlike portable fan heaters, Eco-heaters do not carry the same risks connected to household fires or extreme overheating. They operate at 165 degrees F, which ensures that it will not burn the skin if touched. As well as safety, the Eco-heaters also have health benefits too. Traditional central heating systems, like fan heaters, are dust and allergen hot spots that will aggravate asthma and potential allergies. By using 90% convection and 10% radiant heating, the High Efficiency Electric Panel Heater utilizes the heat it creates within the room, encouraging a cycle of warm air rather than blasting it forwards from a hidden corner.
This is a highly effective way to heat the home; instead of over-heating small pockets of the room, the Eco-heaters are designed to stay on for long periods of time to build a warming atmosphere without any of that instant, suffocating heat you get from small portable fan heating.

And on top of their high-efficiency rating (using less electricity than any other heater on the market for a given area) they are also very economical to run. The small ON/OFF switch, located at the bottom of the slim panel, is the button which turns on the 400watts of constant clean heating. It is the perfect alternative to those out-modded, dusty portable fans, and will have your colder rooms positively glowing throughout the winter seasons.

www.eco-heater.com is an American based company but their products can be sourced here in the UK. Contact the company directly for further details of suppliers.

Posted under House & Home

It is that time of year again; the turning of the seasons. Autumn is starting to set itself across the parks and along the avenues, and summer is beginning to seem further and further away. As trees drop their browned leafs and colourful bright blossom begin to close their fists, it’s clear a new palette of Autumnal hues is well on its way. So before the wintry chills roll in, thousands of us annually take note and set about the house with a spot of redecorating and some dirty old dungarees. Summer time minimalism (white walls and beach furniture) will soon be overthrown and padded with winter comfy (deep reds and deep-cushioned armchairs). But this year, before you get out the old sheets, duct tape and overalls, crack open a pot of paint, consider this:

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). If you don’t know what these are, then just start looking around your home. VOC’s can be found in a number of household products. And their emittions are even traced to generally applied products, such as cleaning solvents and paints. Now, this isn’t an over-zealous plea to households everywhere to wipe out any potential threat to the human species. But it is worth considering, especially since VOC’s have been traced to cause the development of ‘sick building syndrome’, asthma, and other allergies.

The potential risks from domestic inhalation alone is not a great threat. However, health experts do warn against modern homes and their ‘sealed’ tendencies when applying products with particularly high VOC counts. Not to mention the amount of time Brits tend to spend indoors at home during these winter periods. So what’s to be done? It’s simple. There is an alternative mix of organic paints available on the market that will help take the edge off any worry and help reduce airborne VOC numbers in your home.

ECOS Organic Paints

ECOS Organic Paints have developed a range of odourless, solvent-free organic paints available for use on, in and around the home. Totally free of pesticides, herbicides and potentially harmful toxins, the ECOS Organic Paint range is endorsed by The British Allergy Foundation (BAF) and in 2007 received their seal of approval award.

Not only are ECOS products VOC free, they truly have an impressive range of colours available to help decorate any room to any specification. There is also an individualised Colour Matching Service (just like those which are used by Dulux and B&Q) to meet any colour mix. Sound good to you? Well, you can order directly through their online store (www.ecospaints.com) or else telephone, fax, or even email through your order to one of their friendly staff.

VOCs are a major contributor to low-level atmospheric pollution and global warming. The majority of paints on sale today contain both solvents and VOCs. ECOS products contain neither. Not a trace! And their odourless qualities lets the nose know that once you’ve experienced the alternative you’ll not go back.

For a full range and listing of products available at ECOS Organic Paints, visit their website – www.ecospaints.com

Posted under Articles, Health, House & Home

It’s been circulating the national papers over recent years; heralded as a contributing solution to 2020 E.U. requisites; and has subsequently been supported by home-owners up and down the country. But what has the Government been doing to support the integration of microgeneration into British homes; and have the macrocosmic threats of Climate Change been factored in? Well, actually, yes they have -

As easy as it is these days to point the finger-of-blame at our Labour government, their determination to reach ongoing E.U. deadlines (one of which will see Britain producing a third of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020) has been supported by an uncanny obligation to UK homeowners in their attempts to use microgenerational technologies (Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, UGS Heating Pumps etc.,).

Some of the simplest logic we can apply to these parliamentary steps is that, on average, a correct installation of a microgenerational unit will allow its benefactors to generate a third of their own electricity. Not only does this support the UK’s bid to reduce carbon usage, but the microcosm speaks for itself: if homeowners across Britain are producing 1/3 of their property’s power ‘onsite’, then the need for developing Wind Farms, Water Turbines (the Severne Estuary is one particular location under debate) and outsourcing from more climate co-operative, international countries becomes less drastic – and the 2020 requisites begin to become realistically attainable.

This is not to suggest that the current UK Government is helping us only to help itself. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. There is a cycle-of-change that will see Britain and its united countries combat and defeat Climate Change and the effects of Global Warming. It has no specified start-point. Instead, the emphasis is merely on a start. Once this happens you’ll be able to see the reciprocal nature of renewable energy sources, and the relationship that has developed between Government, councils and end-users to boost its growing success. Here are a few examples of what’s already in place to help you micro-generate a macro-solution:

• Microgeneration
  Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP):
  Launched in April 2006, the LCBP is a £86million grant programme for microgeneration technologies to help tackle some of the financial barriers and encourage the microgeneration market as a whole.
• Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs):
  The ROC is a type of green energy certificate that renewable source generators of electricity are entitled to claim for, if deemed eligible. ROCs have a monetary value. Generators can expect to claim 1 ROC for every 1MW of renewable energy generated, and a microgenerator could expect to receive up to 1-2 ROCs per year. And depending on the contract with the supplier, a microgenerator can currently expect to receive approximately £20-£30 per ROC.
• Levy Exemption Certificates (LECs)
  The LEC is another form of green energy certificate. Generators of electricity, using renewable sources, can also claim 1 LEC for each 1MW produced. Utilities need to source these LECs so they can exempt business consumers from Climate Change levy – which is £4.41 on 1 MWh of electricity.
• Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS)
  The MCS is the only certification scheme to cover all microgeneration products and services. MCS is supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change as a primary regulator and method for mitigating the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. It is put into action in order to protect consumers, and its thorough criteria and standards are used to evaluate microgeneration products and installers.
• The Energy Saving Trust: Act on CO2
  The Energy Saving Trust incorporates the ‘Act on CO2′ advice service, which includes microgeneration, carbon saving information, as well as advice for homeowners on a range of topics to help their property become more energy efficient.

These are just some of the initiatives available, established and held in place by current UK parliament acts. Their design is in aid of a full integration of microgenerational technologies into British homes and new developing properties. Not only do initiatives, such as these, encourage the switch to renewable energy sourcing, but they also seek to uphold it and protect its users from any potential threats – ensuring that Green markets are beneficial to all.

Source: www.berr.go.uk/energy/sources/sustainable

Posted under Articles, Climate, Gas & Electricity, House & Home, Renewable Energy

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

The power source is free, and as far as man is concerned, endlessly renewable. I refer of course, to the sun and the booming solar panel industry.

Most people are unaware that the amount of solar energy intercepted by the Earth every minute, is greater than the amount of energy the world uses in fossil fuels each year – so we have to ask why all of us don’t harness solar power in on our homes yet? Unlike wind turbines, which are reliant on consistent wind flow to work in cities, Solar Panels work on almost every roof, regardless of wind flow and even if they aren’t pointing South or it is overcast. Technological advances mean that Solar works in all weathers, except, of course, when it is snowing.

Technically, converting solar radiation into home-use power is not rocket science. For those with an eye on either cost or the environment, or both, solar power allows homeowners to lock into an uninterrupted and virtually unlimited source of power.

With the numerous Government led financial incentives available, particularly in countries such as Australia and Canada, it now makes economic sense to harness the sun. Even in the UK, there is a Low Carbon Buildings Program which was formerly name the ‘clear skies’ program. A list of approved products and installers will shortly be available within the Renewables Category of EcoSwitch.com. Depending upon the supplier you choose, you may be eligible for a grant.  If you need further information immediately, please contact us for a list of approved products. The Renewable comparison category on EcoSwitch will be available during July 2009.

Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Panels

For those not familiar, there are two alternative methods to harvest solar power: solar photovoltaic panels (PV) that convert sunlight into electricity, and solar thermal collectors that use the sun’s energy to provide heat for your home hot water supply. Both types of solar heating are effective and efficient.

Solar thermal is particularly good if cost is a major consideration. Pre-heating hot water for your bath, laundry or dishwashers can save up to 50% of the home heating bill. If a home has radiant floor heating, savings can be even higher.

Solar PV panels are rated in watts and based on maximum power output in ideal conditions of sunlight and temperature. It is relatively easy to determine how many panels are required for a home by reference to the rated output of each panel and looking at seasonal and weekly power usage on your electricity bills. As a rule of thumb, plan to install panels that produce double the wattage required. This will take care of battery and wire loss, poor weather and the like. If batteries are installed, unused power can be stored for use at night time. In the absence of batteries, power supply has to come from the grid at night time or when the sun is obscured, which naturally cuts into cost savings.

A 100 watt PV panel can produce about 400 watt-hours of power per day. If an average sized home uses 25,000 watt-hours per day, the requirement is for 62 panels. That is quite a lot and it will take time for the investment to make sense. One reason that not more rooftops are covered with PV panels right now! The good news is that technological improvements are moving forward rapidly, and soon a 1 kilowatt panel will be available, so less space is needed and with fewer panels needed the cost should also fall.

Payback

There is still a lot of debate about solar panels and especially concerns about the payback period for green building technologies such as PV and solar thermal and whether the installation cost can be recovered if the house is sold. In the absence of Government offsets, solar power can still be expensive. However, perhaps one should look beyond the cost of solar power and focus on the long-term advantages in terms of overall quality of life and lowering the impact of your home on the environment.

Installation

Should you decide to install solar panels, there are some do-it-yourself kits on the market – but it is worth speaking to a few companies to identify the best way forward. Most don’t have enough expertise to do it all themselves, unless of course, you read a lot of manuals and speak to the right people. We recommend getting a suitably qualified solar energy installer who will thoroughly check out your existing system before determining your requirements. Many solar companies now do everything for you.

If any readers know of any good solar operators, please use the comments section below to provide information or visit our new forum. In the UK, we are informed that Smart Energy UK and Solar Century are the market leaders.

Posted under House & Home, Renewable Energy