Renewable Energy Gadgets for the home

Torch and radio

There is now a wide variety of renewable energy gadgets for use in the home and for leisure which should appeal to any environmentally aware person who is keen to reduce their carbon footprint.

The list includes wind-up, dynamo, kinetic and solar items such as:

  • Radios
  • Torches
  • Calculators
  • Watches
  • Toys
  • Portable electronics chargers for mobile phones, iPods, GPS, Sat Nav, MP3, digital cameras, laptops
  • PV panels from 1w to 36w for portable power and charging batteries for cars, boats & outbuildings
  • Garden lights
  • Security lights
  • Water fountains and features
  • Vents for cars, trucks, lofts, sheds and boats
Torches

Many of these gadgets and products can be obtained from high street stores, established electrical retail outlets, DIY stores/garden centres, outdoor shops and specialist stores. The internet provides another means of accessing a wide choice of products - just type ‘eco-gadgets’ or a specific product name into any search engine.

Energy saving products and devices

There are is also an expanding market providing energy saving products and devices which help to educate whilst reducing our energy consumption.

Energy saving lightbulb

Some typical energy saving products are:

  • Energy saving light bulbs
  • Eco kettle
  • A – rated appliances (white goods)

Plug in Mains Power and Energy Monitor – this measures the voltage, amps and watts and shows the user how much electricity an individual appliance is using at any given time.

Sava Plugs – Fridges and freezers cost about £55 to £65 a year to run. A Sava Plug should save about 20% of this and last about 10 years Cost per single item £15 to £20. However the SAVA plug is not suitable for appliances with electronic controls – see a list of appliance known not to be compatible on the SavaWatt website. These include all Bosch and Siemens appliances, some of the most energy efficient fridges/freezers on the market.

Electrisave meter - The Electrisave is a wireless meter that monitors how much electricity is being used in the house. In so doing it allows the householder to see how much electricity is being used at anyone time and thereby encourages positive steps to be taken to reduce energy use. It is wireless, runs on batteries and is attached to the live wire within the fuse box. The retailers state that it takes 5 minutes to install.

Rating household electrical products by energy consumption
For consumer information on the most energy efficient household electrical products in the marketplace visit www.sust-it.net

Phone charger

Standby cost calculator

Work out how much your TV, DVD, set top box and Hi-Fi costs you when they are left on standby. The calculator will also work out how much carbon dioxide would be released into the atmosphere as a result. Visit - www.tvec.org.uk

Useful links worth considering are:

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