• Citroen C1 1.0i petrol & 1.4HDi diesel
• Citroen C2 1.4HDi diesel
• Citroen C3, 1.6HDi 16v diesel, 1.4HDi diesel
• Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 petrol
• Fiat Grande Punto 1.3 diesel
• Ford Fiesta 1.6 Duratorq TDCi diesel
• Mini R56 1.6 diesel
• Peugeot 107 1.0 petrol
• Peugeot 206 1.4HDi diesel
• Renault Clio 1.5 dCi diesel
• Renault Modus 1.5 dCi diesel
• Smart forfour 1.5Td diesel
• Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D diesel
• Vauxhall Corsa 1.0i petrol & 1.3CDTi petrol
• Fiat Panda 1.3 16v diesel
• Hyandai Getz 1.5 CRTD diesel

• Toyota Prius 1.5 VVT-i Hybrid, which beats the lot with CO2 emissions of 104g/km, putting it just outside of Band A.

Add to this the government’s plans to build up to half a million new homes in south-east England and it is easy to see why our already overstretched water supplies and sewage treatment works will be put under an intolerable pressure that may bring them to breaking point. The already very real threat of hosepipe bans and drought warnings is set to increase in the future unless we take sensible action to reduce water consumption or rely on alternative sources.

Water Harvesting

One very simple and effective method of water conservation is water harvesting. Water harvesting is the method of collecting and storing rain water for use in the garden and for other purposes such as toilets, car-washing, cleaning the windows and washing machines. It has been calculated that for every inch of water that falls on a 1000 square foot area it is possible to collect up to 600 gallons of water. In Britain approximately 100,000 litres of water falls per year on the average rooftop. If collected and stored this water can then be used directly and without further treatment for such purposes as watering the garden or cleaning the car thus saving a huge amount on water rates and helping the environment.

Using captured rain water for gardens, toilets, washing machines and washing cars etc can save up to 50% of household water use. Even using a basic, straightforward water butt for water collection and storage can save a large amount of water wastage and in addition rain water is far better for plants than treated tap water.

Water Butts

Rain harvesting systems can range from large water tanks that can hold from between 1,000 to 10,000 litres of water and which utilise electric pumps to the standard upright garden water butt holding from 100 to 200 litres water. Water butts are the most straight forward and basic form of water harvesting and can significantly reduce dependence on mains water supplies and our impact on the environment.

There is nothing new about using water butt type vessels for the collection and storage of water. In Thailand fragments of vessels made from terracotta and used for the storage of water have been found and dated to 2000 years ago. Regions around the Mediterranean such as southern Spain and Morocco used cisternas for the storage of water for use in the hot, dry summers. Now, in the UK, with the possibility of increasingly hot summers and the likelihood of more droughts there is a real and pressing need to use water collection systems in order to conserve water and as a bi-product to save money.

Rainwater systems in the UK are primarily used for WC flushing and for watering the garden. However more sophisticated systems can be used in conjunction with domestic appliances. In Germany water collection systems are much more common and are often used in WC’s and washing machines as well as outdoor use. Trials in Germany have shown conclusively that properly collected rain water used in washing machines is kinder to the clothes and prolongs the life of the washing machine. Further studies show that properly collected rain water used for washing machines does not need to be treated or disinfected. There are currently no UK regulations relating to the required water quality for WC and washing machines.

A very good range of water butts are available to purchase online here.

Installing a Water Butt

Water butts are very simple to fit and just a few simple precautions need to be taken when installing one. It is important to install the water butt on a firm and secure base to prevent overflowing when the vessel is full and to prevent it tipping over. Standing the water butt on a firm base above ground level also provides room to fill a watering can. The water collection vessel should have a secure, childproof lid. This is to protect children and also to prevent debris, small animals and insects from getting inside the water butt. If the water butt does not have a lid then wire mesh can be used as an alternative to prevent debris and animals falling in.

For maximum water collection the water butt should be fitted to the down pipe of the guttering leading from the roof. Rain is collected via the roof and the water filtered down through the guttering system via a diverter that is connected to the down pipe. The water can either be filtered into the water butt through the hole in the lid or via a hole in the side of the butt itself. Many water butts come with a simple connection to the guttering system that takes mere minutes to install.

Choosing a Water Butt

Water butts come in many different styles and designs and so are not just good for the environment and better for your plants but can make an attractive feature in your garden. Basic water butts are made from plastic but they can be made from converted wooden whiskey barrels or Spanish sherry barrels. Other decorative styles include Moroccan beehive shaped designs which can look very appealing in the garden.

When buying a water butt is important to get one with a tap that is adequate to your needs. A tap that is too wide may seem like the best option since it provides a good rate of water flow. However, a standard hosepipe may not be wide enough to attach to a tap that is too wide. On the other hand a tap that is too narrow may not give an adequate flow rate for your needs. Most water butts will come without the tap attached to prevent it snapping off in transit. The customer is required to attach the tap and it is best to check beforehand that this can be done with relative ease as some can be quite fiddly.It is also necessary to make the tap as watertight as possible to prevent water from leaking out.

Water Butt Maintenance

Water butts need regular maintenance to prevent a build up of algae inside the butt. This build up is due to high levels of nutrients in the water.It is best to avoid chemicals to remove the build up algae. Instead any slime can be scooped up with the hands. Sometimes the water butt can be overturned and the insides scrubbed to remove any slime that has built up. If you do not like the sound of this filters can be fitted which remove any algae or slime build up. A very cheap alternative to the water filter is to stretch an old pair of tights over the end of the down pipe leading into the water butt.

Ciel was established in 2004 by internationally acclaimed fashion designer Sarah Ratty, whose eco-philosphy is of paramount importance to her label.

Ciel uses a wide range of exceptional quality, luxuriously soft fabrics that have been developed with an eco-philosphy. The fabrics, which include cotton, linen, alpaca wool, modal, hemp silks and bamboo denim are organically grown in Peru, and are died using non-toxic, 100% Azo-free dyes. Soft fleeces used in Ciel’s lingerie are often left undyed as they are sorted into colour grades by the Peruvian farmers as part of the manufacturing process.

In addition to the excellent credentials of the fabrics origins, Ciel clothing has several other environmental design considerations such as being suitable for low washing temperatures and designs that stay in fashion from season to season.

The company offset their carbon footprint through their partnershop with STARO who promote and support the protection and the conservation of the Amazon Rainforest.

Ciel has built a strong reputation among fashion and eco-conscious celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Cate Blanchett and Zoë Ball, and the label continues to grow from strength to strength.

Ciel is available in designer boutiques in both the UK & US, and is also available at this online ethical retailer.

Ciel’s combination of style, quality and sustainability makes their garments highly desirable amongst people in the know.

Large 4×4 Vehicles

If you want to stay out of Band G (the price of a tax disc for cars in this band rises to £400 a year in 2008) then you don’t have much choice if you’re looking for a large 4×4. However, the following vehicles are in band F:

Hyundai SantaFe 2.2 CRTD

Both automatic and manual, 5 and 7 seater versions are in Vehicle Excise Duty Band F, with fuel consumption ranging between 34.4 to 38.7 miles per gallon.

Kia Sorenton 2.5 CRDi

This manual transmission, diesel engined 4×4 is also in VED Band F.

Smaller 4×4 Vehicles

If you don’t feel the need to drive a monster, then you can get the following smaller 4×4s that are in VED Band E. Again, they are all diesel engined.

Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi

At 42.2 miles per gallon the CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi isn’t actually too shameful. It emits 177 grammes of CO2 per kilometre. It has manual transmission.

Toyota RAV4 2.2D

The RAV4 2.2D with manual transmission does between 40.4 and 42.8 mpg depending on the exact model.

Of all the gases (often called greenhouse gases) that influence global warming, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) produced by burning fossil fuels such as petrol is the most significant contributor.

The problem is so serious that at the Kyoto conference on climate change in 1997 all developed countries agreed to legally binding targets to reduce their green house emissions in response to warnings about climate change.

Following this in 1998 the ACAE ( European Automobile Manufacturers Association) came to an agreement that committed all manufacturers to reducing CO2 emissions produced by cars by 25% to an average figure of 140g/km by 2008 (the level of CO2 produced by a vehicle is measured in grammes of CO2 emitted each kilometre). This is recognised as being one of the most significant industrial agreements on combating climate change ever made and has led directly to many more fuel efficient vehicles being on the market.

What Can You Do?

However much industry and governments legislate against CO2 emissions, the part played by individual consumers is of vital importance in the reduction of greenhouse gases. By becoming aware of the wide range of more fuel efficient vehicles and the alternatives to petrol engined cars, consumers can make reduce their own CO2 contributions.

Every year 2.5 million cars are sold in the UK alone. According to the RAC road traffic produces 26% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions as well as contributing to local air pollution. Private vehicle use alone contributes to 13% of greenhouse gas emissions. Depending on the fuel efficiency of the car you buy the fuel consumption of two similar size cars can vary as much as 45%.

Until recently most consumers were generally unaware of the level of greenhouse gases emitted by their vehicles and for many people this is still not a major factor in deciding what car to buy. However this trend is starting to change dramatically as shown by a survey conducted by the SMMT (Society of Motorists Manufacturers and Traders). This revealed that there had been a big shift in customer awareness of greenhouse gases produced by vehicles. The survey showed that for 18% of buyers fuel economy was their priority compared to 3.8% for whom car performance was the most important criteria. According to the survey the under 25’s were four times more likely to buy a car based on it’s carbon emissions than other age groups.

There is a lot of financial sense in buying a cleaner car which makes less impact on the environment. A more fuel efficient car will lead to financial savings. According to the RAC buying the most fuel efficient 4×4 as opposed to the least fuel efficient in that class will lead to savings of up to £430 per year on fuel, the most fuel efficient MPV can save up to £330 per year whilst the greenest small car can save up to £200. Buying a family car that runs on diesel will put you in a cheaper band when it comes to Road Tax than the equivalent petrol driven car.

Road Tax

The UK government has undertaken a number of steps in recent years to promote the use of more fuel efficient vehicles. Road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty has been dramatically adjusted to encourage people to buy more fuel efficient cars. For cars registered before March 2001 there are still only two bands of road tax . So the Road Tax for older cars does not vary hugely. A car with an engine size of 1549cc or more will pay a rate of £165/year whilst cars with engine sizes smaller than this will pay £110. However in the March 2001 budget the Chancellor introduced the extension of the lower rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (Road tax) to cover cars in the private and light goods tax class with an engine size of 15499cc or less. This only applies to cars registered since March 2001 and so does not affect cars registered prior to this time.

Since the 2001 budget there has been the introduction of a system of graduated Vehicle Excise Duty for new cars based on the level of CO2 emissions they produce. In the 2006 Budget the Chancellor introduced a new zero rate for cars with the lowest carbon emissions and a new top brand for the most polluting cars. The highest rate is for vehicles producing 225g/km or more. These cars fall into category G and the annual road tax for these cars is now £300 per year rising to £400 in 2008.

For Band A cars, those which produce CO2 emissions under 100g/km the Road tax is zero. This rises to £35/year for Band B cars which produce between 101-120g/km CO2 and £115/year for Band C cars producing 121-150 g/km. Band D cars that produce 151-165 g/km now pay an annual road tax of £140 whilst Band E cars that emit 166-185 g/km CO2 will pay an annual charge of £165. Band F is for cars producing between 185 and 225 grammes/km and these pay an annual charge of £205. The CO2 emissions figure must now be shown on the V5 or vehicle registration document but only for cars registered on or after the 1st March 2001. Also since April 2002, company car tax has been based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. You can view a full table of vehicle tax costs at www.direct.gov.

By law car showrooms must all display fuel economy labels that show you how fuel efficient each new car is. The labels show a rating from Band A ( green ) the most fuel efficient to Band G ( red ) the least fuel efficient. The bands match the vehicle Tax band and the labels show how much vehicle tax you would have to pay each year - the more efficient the car the less tax you pay.

Buying a New Car?

If you’re in the process of buying a new car, it makes financial sense to look at annual running costs of it, including the tax band that it will fall in to, especially if it is one that is registered after March 2001.

If you’re looking for a new large family car, the lowest Tax Band you’re likely to be able to achieve is C. (121 to 150g/km). At the moment, this means buying a car with a diesel engine, as no petrol engined cars currently fall into this bracket. Examples of large family cars with a C rating are the Citroen C5 1.6 HDi, the Peugeot 407 1.6 HDi or the Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. If you really want a bigger engine than 1.6 and you don’t fancy a Skoda, then you could opt for a Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D or surprisingly, a Jaguar X-Type 2.0L Diesel Saloon, which scrapes into the C tax bracket with CO2 emissions of 149g/km.

Most petrol engined large family cars start in tax band E, which at £165 a year is £50 more than the £115 you would pay for a tax badn C car. If you factor in the superior miles per gallon that you get from diesel, then it is easy to make considerably larger annual savings. Compared with petrol, diesel vehicles have significantly lower CO2 emissions per kilometre. This is because diesel engines are more efficient. Diesel engines also emit lower levels of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons than petrol vehicles but higher levels of nitrous oxides and other pollutants which have a big impact on air quality.

Alternatives to Petrol & Diesel

When considering what car to buy it is worthwhile considering buying a vehicle that runs on different alternative fuels as they have varying merits from an environmental perspective.

Alternatives such as Liquid Petroleum Gas and Compressed Natural Gas are often used in bi-fuel engines meaning that they run on either petrol or the gas fuel. CNG offers even lower levels of CO2 emissions than LPG and are comparable to diesel. Bio-fuels are another alternative to conventional petrol that reduce vehicles impact on the environment. However these fuels are not entirely CO2 neutral because of the electricity used to grow and process the crops. However they do offer substantial savings over petrol and diesel. Most bio-fuels are sold in blends of up to 5% with regular diesel and petrol although this percentage may increase in the future if it is thought to be compatible with car engines. All bio-fuel mixtures work with existing vehicles.

The hybrid car is another alternative to standard petrol engines. The hybrid car has an electric battery that works alongside an internal combustion engine and can provide additional support whilst accelerating or carrying heavy loads. The battery can be recharged from the internal combustion engine or from the energy produced in braking. Hybrid cars offer lower CO2 emissions and reduced fuel consumption.

Sensible Driving

Reductions in fuel consumption can be made without even changing your car for a more fuel efficient one or opting for an alternative fuel driven car. Just adopting a few good habits when driving can dramatically reduce fuel consumption. For instance always driving in the highest possible gear or returning to a high gear as quickly as possible after being in low gear will reduce fuel consumption. Lowering your car speed on long journeys from 70mph to 60mph can save up to 15% on fuel. Keeping the tyres as inflated as possible and regular, general car maintenance can also deliver significant fuel savings. Driving as smoothly as possible and avoiding heavy breaking will reduce fuel consumption.

Car sharing schemes can save on a lot of fuel and so can planning journeys for times when the roads are less busy for. When the car is stuck in a jam or there is a significant delay try turning off the car engine instead of leaving it idling. Most modern car engines are efficient enough not to need warming up on a cold morning. So driving off immediately from a cold start instead of revving the engine for a few minutes will save fuel.

Many people are now turning to home composting as a way of reducing their waste output, not only is it one of the easiest steps to take towards becoming greener, composting is also more environmentally friendly than recycling because no energy is used to transport and process the waste.

Of course though, the best part about composting is the end product, the compost, which is just what your garden needs; it provides nutrition for plants as well as helping to retain moisture in the soil and improve drainage, all for free. Composting is also a great way to introduce youngsters to the ideas of conservation and recycling.

All organic material breaks down naturally by aerobic decomposition. Composting speeds this process up in a controlled manner by supplying the right mix of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water for the microbes (decomposers) to thrive.

A compost bin, also referred to as a composter, is the most common and straightforward method of home composting. With many different types on the market differing in materials and shape it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Our information bellow will help you to buy the compost bin that is right for you.

Choosing a compost bin that is right for you

Type of Bin

An important note to take into consideration is that there are two main types of compost bin available, stationary and tumbler. Most of points raised so far apply to stationary bins.

Stationary compost bins are open-bottomed and are placed directly on the open ground, usually slightly buried to provide stability and to prevent rodents and pets from entering. This method allows creatures such as worms, nematodes and ants to enter through the soil and contribute to the decomposition process.

Tumbler compost bins generally don’t hold as much as stationary bins but they do make compost faster. Typically a compost tumbler is a barrel shaped container attached to a frame that allows it to be rotated. Once the bin is loaded it is left for a few days and thereafter turned several times a day. The tumbling action ensures that the decomposing bacteria are well oxygenated and the contents are well mixed, keeping the decomposition process running at full speed. Due to this method the tumbler needs to be filled in one go and cannot be continuously topped up like a stationary compost bin, which might not be convenient for some people. Another disadvantage of the tumbler method is that some strength is required to turn the bin, especially if it is full. Another point that should be noted is that because the bin is not in contact with the ground, creatures beneficial to the composting process, such as worms, cannot enter the bin naturally.

Materials

Whatever material you choose for your compost bin it is important to make sure that it is rain, frost and sun proof.

Plastic is the most common material used for the construction of compost bins and is the easiest to maintain. When choosing a plastic composter, look for one that has been made from recycled plastic.

Wooden bins are also widely available. Wood is a desirable material because it is better at retaining heat than plastic and allows the decomposing material inside to breathe. However, wood is prone to decaying itself and can sometimes have been treated with chemicals that may prove detrimental to the composting process.

Metal is a good choice of material if rodents are a problem. However drainage can be a poor and it should be noted that wooden and plastic compost bins are completely adequate at keeping out all but the most persistent of animals.

Shape & Design

Even though the compost bin doesn’t provide the most glamorous of functions there are some aesthetic and functional aspects you may want to take into consideration when making your purchase, especially considering that this object will be sitting I your garden for many years to come.

Shape: Cylindrical composters have no corners, which is advantageous as mixing is easier and there are no areas where material can get stuck and dry out. Rectangular shaped bins are handy if space is an economy because they fit right up against walls and fences.

Secure lid: A compost heap left open and exposed to the air and rain can lose heat and nutrients so a secure, fitted lid that will allow easy access is essential.

Easy access: For ease of use it is recommended to choose a compost bin that allows convenient access to the inside. A large covered opening at the top of the bin is desirable to allow an easy way to add new material to the compost as well as provide access for turning. A door or hatch at the bottom of the composter is a favourable way of accessing the finished compost, eliminating the need for the lifting or moving of the compost bin.

Strong design: A compost bin will probably take quite a battering over its lifetime so make sure to choose a strong and sturdy one.

Size of Compost Bin

The average compost bins on offer usually have a storage capacity of 200-300 litres, which is an adequate size for a small garden. Anything smaller than this may be unsatisfactory, as it cannot retain sufficient heat for the composting process. For optimum performance a composter of 750 litres and upwards is recommended.

Placing you compost bin

When placing your bin in your garden try to find a level, well-drained spot in a warm area out of the wind. Placing the composter over soil or grass is highly recommended, as this will take advantage of worms and beneficial microbes.

The feel good factor of buying something ethical and organic rarely comes close to the buzz of finding a bargain. But you needn’t have to spend the earth to help save it; all it takes is some prior knowledge to help you make the right decisions because, after all, we choose how and where we spend our money. Alternatively, if you’re seduced by designer labels but wish to make ethical purchases, then you could look at brands such as Ciel.

Green living is a very popular topic at the moment; there is great talk and debate in the media about ways in which we can live more ethically and conscientiously. We are encouraged more and more to recycle our waste, buy fair trade or organic and locally sourced produce and the term ‘carbon footprint’ has become widely used as people are becoming aware of the energy expenditures and environmental impact of their lifestyles.

As we become more environmentally conscious we also need to start becoming more socially conscious as well.

The cotton industry is one of the biggest causes of both environmental and social pollution in the world today and yet it is also one of the most overlooked when it comes to greener living. We all know of the horrors of cheap labour used in the production of low-cost, disposable clothing but the environmental impact is something else that we need to be taking into consideration.

Chemicals

The cotton industry is the world’s second largest user of agricultural pesticides; many of these contain chemicals that are classified as carcinogenic and cause illness and death to thousands of agricultural workers a year as well as poisoning rivers and polluting ground waters. It can take as much as 3kg of chemicals to produce just 1 kg of cotton.

The harvesting process isn’t much better with chemicals, desiccants and active ingredients such as thidiazuron, pyraflufen ethyl, carfentrazon, dimethipin, paraquat, glyphosate and ethephon used to defoliate and accelerate maturity of the cotton plants. It should be noted that most of these chemicals are removed during the washing and manufacturing process but only to be replaced with dyes and other toxic additions.

Potentially harmful chemicals are even used on the finished product. That smell we associate with new, store-fresh clothing is usually the smell of formaldehyde a chemical that has been bonded to the fabric to give a wrinkle free finish. This chemical irritant is not only bad for the environment but it has also been linked with diseases, health problems and rising cases of chemical sensitivities in adults and children. This is something to keep in mind especially when buying clothes for young children and babies. If that still doesn’t put you off formaldehyde is the solution used to preserve the dead cows and shark used in Damien Hurst’s art works; not really something you want next to your skin day after day now is it!

Cost

The cost of organic and ethical clothing is probably the factor preventing most people from making the switch. Why should we pay £24.99 for an organic cotton t-shirt when a similar non-organic version is available for £5.99 on the high street? Some people simply cannot afford to make the switch but those of us who can should take it into serious consideration because as sales of ethical clothing grow prices will eventually begin to come down and the range of items and styles available will increase.

A main factor is that with the buying power of the large companies and the use of over seas labour most of us have forgotten the true value of many things that we have come to take for granted. For instance the £5.99 it costs to buy a t-shirt on the high street is roughly the average wage for one hours work in the UK. It seems crazy to think that the same £5.99 covers the cost of the seeds, chemicals, packaging and fuel while ensuring that everyone involved in the farming, manufacturing and distribution processes are fairly paid whilst still leaving room for profit.

Conventional clothing’s prices are so low because the industry has become used to using chemical farming methods and cheap labour, both of which are not good for our natural and social environments. It is the avoidance of these practices that is the major factor in the perceived high cost of organic and ethical clothing. As organic cotton farming doesn’t use the genetically modified seeds, toxic fertilizers and pesticides of the conventional cotton industry it means lower yield crops that are more labour intensive and therefore more expensive to harvest. But, perhaps most importantly it is the fair payment and treatment of workers that has the biggest impact on the overall cost. Sweatshop style cheap labour should have no place in our society as it keeps people in poverty and exploits them for our benefit.

A good thing to try and remember when wrestling with the prospect of paying more for an organic item of clothing is that we buy organic for our environments health and that we wear organic for our own health.

Questions to ask

As consumers we should take it upon ourselves to ask questions of the companies that provide our clothing. For instance common questions we should all start to ask are:

Can the company guarantee that its clothes are produced under humane conditions? And if so can they provide information on factories, wages and working conditions?

Does the company take into account worker’s rights, social justice and environmental issues?

Does the company sell fair-trade or organic clothing? If not, when do they plan to change this and if not why not?

There are also a few things we can do ourselves to reduce our personal impact on the industry.

When buying clothes try to buy good-quality, timeless clothing. Try to see each purchase as a long-term investment rather than a throw away, one-season item. As the old saying goes ‘buy cheap, buy twice’.

Recycle your clothes rather than throw them out. Charity shops are an obvious choice but there are now recycling bins for clothes too. Try to buy from charity shops as well, pop in on your way to the shops and you may be surprised at what you can find.

Rather than throw out and replace damaged clothing try to get it mended, no one darns socks any more and it is a habit we should get back into.

Now imagine if there was a way of saving energy that would eventually lead to free energy and may even end up earning you money! Sounds almost too good to be true doesn’t it; well these are some of the things that have been said about generating electricity and heating water with home mounted solar panels. Lets have a look.

Type & Cost

The first thing to bear in mind is that there are two main types of solar panel, which can be used on your home; solar water heating panels that use the energy from the sun to heat water and solar electric (photovoltaic) panels that convert the suns energy directly into usable electricity.

Solar water heating, also known as solar thermal, is currently the most commonly used form of home solar energy in the UK with around 40,000 households already enjoying the benefits. There are two types of solar water heating systems, flat plate collectors and evacuated tubes; both contain water which when heated travels to a coil in a hot water cylinder to heat the water there.

The evacuated tube systems are the most energy efficient of the two as they are made of highly insulated glass as opposed to flat metal plates; this does however mean that they cost more. A commercial flat plate system, including installation, will, on average, cost between £2,000 and £4,000. Evacuated tube systems usually range between £3,500 and £5,500. If you are thinking of installing the cheaper flat plate system then you can always install a larger surface area to make up for the lower efficiency.

Solar electric, also known as photovoltaic panels, are familiar to us all. They are found on solar powered calculators, watches, burglar alarms and even parking meters in Milton Keynes. Advances in photovoltaic technology mean that it is now a viable means of generating electricity for our homes in a clean and renewable way; there are currently around 6,000 households doing just this here in the UK. The main advantage is obvious, the fuel, sunshine, is free; it’s just a shame that the main problem for the majority of us is that, at present, solar electric is an expensive technology to invest in; the cost of an average commercial system with installation is around £12,000.

Return On Investment

The environmental benefits of going solar powered are easy to see but with the cost of the initial outlay being what it is a lot of us are going to be wanting to know if the investment will pay off in financial terms as well.

Solar water heating is a wise choice for those of anyone looking for a realistic return on investment. An average system for a three-bedroom house can provide 70% of your hot water annually; nearly 100% during the summer months and around 50% during winter when your conventional boiler will back up the system.

With factors such as rising fuel prices to take into consideration and with hot water consumption and conservation differing per household it is hard to pinpoint an exact time to begin expecting ‘payback’. Conservative estimates give between 6-15 years whereas more optimistic sources give 4-8 years. Both figures seem quite good considering that after these periods you are effectively heating most of your household water for free and without producing carbon emissions. Given that the majority of the systems commercially available are guaranteed for 20 years and have a life expectancy of 35 years you can expect 5 years of free water heating at worst and 31 years at best! Most importantly of all such a system will reduce carbon emissions by up to 500kg per square meter of panel a year.

Due to the higher cost of solar electric (photovoltaic) panels it takes much longer to gain a return on initial investment. The good news it that you may get you a higher price for your property if you choose to sell it. More and more people are seeing integrated solar power as a desirable addition when purchasing; in some cases it has been reported as helping push prices up by as much as 10%. The average household in the UK consumes approximately 3750 kWh of energy a year. A typical 2kWp photovoltaic system costing around £12,000 will produce roughly 1500 kWh a year, which is 40% of the average domestic usage. A downside of this is that most of this electricity is generated during the day when most members of the household will be out and not around to make use of it. But the good news is, and this is the part most people like, that energy companies will buy this surplus electricity back from you. The amount differs from company to company but expect in the range of 4.5p-8.5p kWh. This is currently lower then the 15.5p kWh that they sell it to us for but hopefully this will change.

In environmental terms solar electric power is still a sound investment, as you will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide your household produces by roughly 645kg a year (the average house in the UK produces 1590kg). If you run the system along with low energy light bulbs and energy efficient appliances you will see a significant reduction in your bills, it will just be quite a while before you will recover the cost of the system.

To help with the cost of going solar there are government grants available from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) low carbon buildings program as well as reductions on VAT for equipment and labour. For more information visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk and www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home.

Installation & Maintenance

To get the most out of your system it is important to get it professionally installed, this is usually quoted as part of the cost and is highly recommended. Before buying it is important to work out how much electricity you wish to generate and therefore what size system you will need; some people choose to become self sufficient whereas some just simply want to reduce their existing fuel bills. A south facing roof is the best location to place a solar panel to achieve maximum efficiency (south-west to south-east is also fine), but don’t panic if you house faces another direction, any un-shaded roof will be sufficient enough. Panels can also be attached to a flat roof but they will need to be placed on an ‘A’ frame at an angle of 20 to 50 degrees to the horizontal.

Once installed the systems require little maintenance. The most you will probably need to do is make sure the panels are free from snow and debris such as fallen leaves. Most panels on the market are guaranteed for 20-25 years and they have few (solar water heating) or no (solar electric) moving parts, so there isn’t much that can go wrong.

Myth Buster

This is the part where I just get to correct some myths surrounding solar power.

The UK does not receive enough sunshine to run solar panels; this simply isn’t true. Solar power runs off the sun’s light not heat and we have more than enough here in the UK.

Solar power won’t work in the winter; again for the same reason above (light) this isn’t true. The panels will produce less power than in summer months due to the lower sun and shorter days but they will still make a significant contribution. Anyway, all systems have a conventional backup so you won’t be left without sufficient power.

The installation of solar power is time consuming and disruptive; maybe if you try to do it yourself but professional installation will usually take two days and once fitted the system is un-obtrusive and as easy to operate as your existing hot water/electrical system.

Benefits

I have left this bit until the end. Most of you may have made your mind up by now but after a paragraph of figures it may be worth a recap of the benefits of going solar:

First and foremost, solar power provides you with a clean, quiet and environmentally friendly way of producing your own energy and reducing your household’s carbon emissions and impact on the environment.

With fuel prices ever on the increase becoming less reliant on external supply will help protect you from paying more in the future and help reduce our countries dependence on foreign oil and gas.

Going solar will add to the value of your property.

Surely the biggest benefit is that the fuel (sunshine) is free, and don’t forget that energy companies will buy excess energy back from you.

If impressing the neighbours is your thing then nothing ensures you and your families green credentials more then going solar. Plus if you are the first in the neighbourhood to adopt the technology you may encourage others to do so.

Power cuts are a nuisance for us all, but if you are generating your own power you can still enjoy that cup of hot tea while watching daytime TV as the rest of your street are left twiddling their thumbs.

Don’t forgot that there are government grants on offer as well as VAT reductions to help you with the cost.