But as with all schemes of this nature, there are pros and cons to think about. Here we have laid out the facts and provided unbiased advice for you to consider before getting your own panels fitted.

Why are they free?

Free solar panels are installed by companies who want to take advantage of the feed-in tariff. The idea is they install them free of charge and earn the tariff instead of it being paid to you. This allows them to recoup the cost of installing them, and means you get free energy generated by the panels.

However you need to consider whether this is the best deal. It means the solar installers get the benefit of the tariff and not you. Therefore before jumping in and assuming you have got the best deal, make sure you consider whether a solar panels loan would be a better option. This means you would receive the feed-in tariff for the energy you generate, as well as the additional tariff for any surplus energy you are able to send back to the grid.

So even though you will have to foot the bill for the installation, you will be able to reap back the costs in a reasonable period of time.

Which installers offer free solar panels?

ISIS Solar currently offers free solar panels UK, along with A Shade Greener. Another possible option is Homesun. All these companies are aiming to provide free panels to suitable homes across the UK in the next few years.

Always read the terms and conditions provided by each company before choosing whether this will be the best way for you to get solar PV panels.

In summary

As you can see, while the word ‘free’ is designed to get you to sit up and take notice, it is worth thinking about the different options before you decide what to do. If you get a free deal you will have to agree to the company owning the panels for the duration of the agreement. This could lead to problems if you want to sell your home before then.

It is also worth considering the amount of money you would lose out on if you had free panels and couldn’t take advantage of the tariff. You’d still get some free energy of course, but it may not prove to be the best deal.

So the best bet is to consider all your options and to find out whether you should opt for free panels or to foot the bill on your own. This is the only way to ensure you get the best deal from generating your own energy.

But while many of us will be thinking along these lines, it is perfectly possible to think green instead of red on Valentine’s Day this year. We’re talking about being eco-friendly, and as you’ll see, going green could be the best way to celebrate this day of romance in an appropriate way. You can romance your loved one and still be good to the environment.

The Valentine Effect

What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to Valentine’s Day? It’s probably something along the lines of a shop bought card or a traditional bouquet of flowers. But many of the Valentine’s gifts bought this year, just as in any other year, won’t be environmentally friendly.

Certainly, cards can be recycled if they aren’t kept. But other gifts, such as chocolates and jewellery, involve lots of wasteful packaging. Indeed anything with plastic packaging in it will just add to the amount of waste going into landfills. Furthermore, the miles these items have to travel in order to make it into our shops don’t make for very green solutions either.

Green Alternatives

Fortunately there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you go green this Valentine’s Day. For example instead of sending a regular card, why not look for something completely different? You can actually buy wooden cards to carve a message into. Alternatively if you are good with crafts you could create a wooden postcard yourself.

Indeed, getting crafty is a great way to cut down on waste and get really eco-friendly this year. You could write a poem especially for your loved one and writing it on some top quality paper. Roll it up and tie some red ribbon around it to create a keepsake they’ll want to keep forever.

Alternatively if you have green fingers, why not plant some forget me nots or even a rose bush somewhere in your garden and reveal it on the big day? This is ideal if you live together.

Once you start thinking along the right lines you can see how eco-friendly you can be just by focusing on eco-responsible purchases, or doing something DIY instead. Who wouldn’t love lots of little love notes tucked in mini envelopes and left around the house to find during the day? Get creative and pop one in their lunchbox and in the car, so they’ll find them throughout the day and know you’re thinking of them as your Valentine?

So before you go out and buy the usual card this year, put a little extra thought into it and go green instead. Roses may be red, but you can be eco-green and thinking of the environment as well as the one you love.

We would love to hear eco-friendly valentine ideas?

If you’re used to relying on fossil fuels for your daily energy needs, maybe it is time to find out more about going green instead. You may even find you can earn from it as well as saving money.

What is Green Energy?

Green energy differs from fossil fuels in a very fundamental way. Fossil fuels are not known for being environmentally friendly. They produce waste that can harm the environment, whereas green energy provides us with energy that helps us take better care of our planet.

We can see green energy in action when we see solar panels on roofs. We can also see it in solar thermal installations and in biomass boilers. Indeed there may be more types of it in action today than you might think. Tidal power is another great example of how natural energy can be used to provide some or all of the energy in some properties. Hydroelectricity is a further example.

If you want to take advantage of green energy the best bet is to look at the various forms available. This should enable you to see which one makes the most sense to install at your property. Some will benefit from solar panels, whereas others might be better served by a biomass boiler. Gather all the necessary information first and see how much you would need to invest in each case.

Earn Money with Green Energy

If you are considering adding greener energy sources to your home, such as solar panels for example, you could be eligible to claim feed-in tariffs. You may also be able to get your solar panels installed free of charge by some companies if you are looking for the lowest solar panels cost possible.

In this situation the company installs the system for you and claims the feed-in tariff in order to rake back the cost over several years. Alternatively you can pay for the installation, generate your own energy and benefit from the feed-in tariffs as well.

Solar panels have been of the most popular additions to British homes in recent times. Homes with south facing roofs will benefit most from this technology, especially if other measures are taken to conserve energy. Indeed, in some cases householders have generated all the energy they need for their daily uses, receiving the feed-in tariffs on top.

So you can see green energy is well worth considering regardless of the size and location of your property. Different properties will be suited to different forms of green energy, so once you are aware of the possibilities and the options, you can make an informed choice to go green and do your bit to protect the environment.

H20 clock

Just add water? Yes, that’s all you need to do – pour water into the can and enjoy time keeping without batteries. It makes a novelty gift for someone you know too, and you can get it in different colours. View Product
 

Magnetic insulation foil for radiators

Get the most heat from your radiators by adding this foil behind them. It’s easy to install and reflects more heat back into your room, meaning you get a warmer home with no less heat required. View Product
 

Reusable wash balls

Stop paying for expensive washing powder and use these instead. They’re good for as many as 100 washes and they’re easy to use as well. View Product
 

Solar keyhole light

Get this little solar light to ensure you can always see the keyhole in your front door at night. It’s a handy little gadget that doesn’t need batteries. View Product
 

Ecostapler

Ideal for home and office, this stapler does without the wasteful metal staples completely. It’s a cheap addition to any office space and you’ll never run out of staples again! View Product

For the Garden

Biodegradable leaf sacks

(This is a great way to collect up your leaves without using plastic bags. Pop your leaves in the sack and both will break down over the year to give you compost to use next year. View Product
 

Paper Potter

Don’t waste money on plastic pots for the garden – make your own from recycled newspaper instead. And the bonus is you won’t have to wiggle the seedlings out of the pots to plant them either – you can just pop them straight in the ground!
View Product
 

Solar powered set of garden lights

This is a great value set of solar powered lights for your garden. Light up a path or provide light to enhance the look of your plants at night. Either way they’re easy to maintain – just wipe them over occasionally to keep them clean. View Product
 

Drip plant feeder

Recycle your old plastic bottles by using these measured flow plant feeders. Avoid watering the weeds and give all the water to your plants instead. They’re simple and effective, and the best way to maintain your plants. View Product
 

Space saver water butt

Grab as much rainwater as you can and use it on your garden during dry spells. It saves on using water from the tap and it has more nutrients in it as well – just what your garden needs. View Product
 

This range of goodies merely touches the surface of the huge range that is available. Whatever you’re looking for, you can make your home and garden much more eco friendly than it is already. Invest in your favourites to begin with and then think about adding to your range of items whenever you can. You’ll be glad you got the eco bug!

Here are some of the ones that have already cropped up on the calendar.

Solar PV and Thermal Exhibition in Bulgaria

The market for solar energy in the Balkans is looking promising, and that is one of the reasons this exhibition has been organised. Taking place on 29th May 2013, it promises to be a showcase for top companies in this area, furthering interest in solar energy in the process.

The Solar Decathlon 2013

This is one of the biggest events in the calendar in the world of solar energy. It involves colleges and universities, and the task is to build an energy efficient house that looks good and is also within the price range of most people. The 2013 event is all set to take place on Orange County Great Park in California.

The Solar World Congress 2013

We’ve got another year to wait for this one, but in November 2013 hundreds of people will descend on Mexico for six days to take part in the Solar World Congress. Solar energy is the focus of the event, which has meetings, speeches and various other events all rolled into the event itself.

Solar Asia Expo 2013

Malaysia plays host to the Solar Asia Expo in 2013, over three days in September. Every aspect of the solar energy industry will be represented and focused on here, from the latest in solar panels to the latest methods for fitting them. This will be the biggest event of its kind in this part of the world.

Solar is hot the world over

Forgive the pun, but it’s clear that solar energy is not simply a flash in the pan. Instead it is developing the world over and no matter where you look, events are taking place to bring the world of solar energy and its possibilities to a wider audience. Whether those events are aimed at those in the business or those of a younger age who will be using more green energy in the future, these events clearly have a big role to play.

Image Courtesy: http://energia-online.eu,ises-online.de

So, is it possible, or just a pipe dream?

What do you need to make a solar panel?

The main ‘ingredient’ for a solar panel is solar cells – and several of them. You can find sources of these online but they may be expensive, especially if you buy brand new ones. Damaged ones are much cheaper (as you would expect) but there is the chance they may not work as well.

There are also instructions online on how to create your very own solar cells, but this is a long winded process that isn’t ideal if you want to build your own solar panels in a reasonable amount of time.

What about instructions for creating your own solar panels?

You can find instructions for the procedure online. However you will find these come from people who have tried doing it on their own. Therefore different people have found slightly different ways for doing it. It is a good idea to read through a few different methods to gauge the results garnered so you can figure out which method is best.

Is there an easier way to do it?

Yes there is – you can buy DIY kits that provide you with all the bits you need to install the solar panels on your roof. You can either do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you.

This could save you a lot of money but you must have some degree of knowledge on how to put the panels on your roof. Either that or you must be confident of saving enough money to make getting the kit and hiring a contractor separately worthwhile.

Is it worth making your own solar panels?

If you are still keen on making your own solar panels, you should think about whether or not you have the time to make the number of panels you need to make it worthwhile. Not only that, you have to be fairly sure the panels will be good enough to use.

So you see it isn’t just a question of whether you can or not. It’s also a question of whether you should.

Image Courtesy:ecomattersmag.com

What forms of insulation exist?

Insulation can be a form of rigid, spray, attic or natural insulation and this is the most important feature of such a home. Reducing loss of thermal insulation results in savings in energy bills as well as creating a comfortable living environment.

Thermal conductivity is what determines a ‘Passive Home’. Phenolic insulation, fibre glass and rock wool insulation are the most common materials used. These materials will create U values throughout walls, floors and attic spaces and if they are of an adequate thickness they will meet the Passive standard.

Installation

Installation of thermal insulation is important, but is often overlooked. Cavity wall insulation, if not installed correctly, can compromise the U values and therefore the effectiveness of the product.

Timber frame wall insulation can sag and if poor materials are used, again the U value requirements may not be met.

Because heat naturally moves from hot to cold, it cannot be stopped but is able to be slowed down to achieve thermal insulation. Heat transfer is the rate at which it moves.

Thermal looping is caused by poor air tightness, such as when an insulated cavity wall has an air gap inside, and will reduce the actual U value by as much as 50%.

With excellent insulation, the passive house’s heating demands is lower than 15kWh/m2, making it less than 90% of average houses.

Achieving the standards required for a Passive home means having a different approach to design and construction.

Passive solar design is one approach that supports this type of energy conservations and works well, by reducing building surface areas and maximising solar energy.

Superinsulation works in eliminating thermal bridges to reduce heat transfer through floors, walls and roofs. In Sweden, insulation thickness is approximately 13”.

Advanced window technology uses high R values with triple pane glazing that is insulated. Low emissivity coatings are applied to reduce thermal transfer.

There are around 15 to 20,000 passive houses today, with the majority having been constructed in Scandinavia. The world’s biggest passive house area is in Heidelberg in Germany.

Image Courtesy: mentalfloss.com

How do they work?

Air source heat pumps harness the heat from the air outside. They can operate in temperatures as low as -15 degrees and so remain very effective all year round. In residential properties, these systems are particularly effective for underfloor heating as it is a lower temperature system, but they can suit and heat most houses, regardless of the type of property.

These type of pumps are particularly suited to areas that have no mains gas supply and they are more economical to run than oil central heating. Because of their method of heating air, they are also a highly eco friendly choice of energy. If you already have an oil fired boiler, you can add an air source heat pump easily to improve efficiency and cost of your existing system.

Heating and cooling air is achieved by passing a refrigerant through coils which are indoor and outdoor components. The refrigerant is changed from liquid to hot gas through the use of a condenser, compressor, valve and evaporator.

Once the vapour enters the compressor, its temperature increases to more than 100 degrees. It then passes through the coils and transfers to a liquid. The cycle then repeats itself.

The heat from the pump is transferred efficiently into your hot water tank and underfloor or central heating system.

Benefits

Air source heat pumps are very cost effective options, when compared to most other energy alternatives such as gas, oil and electric. The government’s renewable heat incentive scheme also benefits owners of air source heat pumps, with subsidies available.

Air source pumps are eco friendly, unlike oil, gas and LPG. Photovoltaic panels can be used with them, making them carbon neutral and eligible for the Feed in Tariff scheme.

No large storage tanks or boilers for biomass fuels are needed, thus saving on space considerably. You do not need to store combustible fuels at your property and as there are no harmful emissions, air source pumps do not need flueing.

Maintenance is minimal, as the pump has a similar mechanism to a refrigerator. You simply need to ensure the unit is kept clean from leaves and other debris.

Loans designed to help you advance the quality of your home

One of the best things about having a home improvement loan is that you can spend it on a wide variety of projects. For example you can opt for a new kitchen or bathroom. Alternatively if you need new double glazing or you want a brand new conservatory you can use your loan for these too.

Shop around for the best interest rate you can find

It is worth being aware that interest rates on home improvement loans can vary quite a lot. Thus it is best to go to a number of different providers to see what they can offer you. The lower the interest rate is, the lower your monthly payments will be and the less interest you’ll pay overall.

One point worth noting is that secured loans will have a lower rate of interest than unsecured ones. If you own a property you could save a significant amount of money simply by opting for a secured loan.

Consider the length of the term of your loan

Obviously you will have to consider how much you can afford to pay back each month. However in general you should clear the loan as quickly as you can. You will pay a lot less in interest if you can clear the loan over a period of, say, five years instead of ten years. It will of course depend on the amount you borrow and what you can afford to repay each month. Make sure you don’t over extend your budget otherwise you could run into difficulties later on.

How quickly can you get the money you require?

Home improvement loans can generally be granted within a relatively short time. It will depend on the individual provider but you could receive the cash you need in the space of a few short weeks.

As you can see, a home improvement loan is the ideal way to make the changes you want in your own home. How could you use one to improve your property?

Solar power is one of the easiest ways to get renewable energy into your home. You can have solar panels installed on your roof to supply power. You can have solar thermal installed to provide you with water heated by the sun as well.

Another type of power worth thinking about is biomass. Many people don’t yet realise that biomass can offer more power than solar energy. Biomass comes from waste materials, such as wood, scraps of food, grass clippings from your garden and many other items as well. As you can guess, there is actually a good deal of biomass to be gathered from your own home. Thus if you have a biomass boiler installed you can reduce the amount of waste you generate and also make some free energy from it as well.

A good resource to use if you want to find out more about this kind of renewable energy source is www.biomassboilers.org.uk. Once you understand the method behind the use of biomass as an energy source you will see how effective it can be in your own home. Biomass boilers can also sometimes be ‘fed’ with more than one energy source, so you are able to use whatever suitable materials you have to hand at that moment.

The good news is that biomass – and indeed other forms of renewable energy – can be used to help power businesses and homes. As we look to the future and try to step away from our reliance on fossil fuels, biomass could be powerful indeed.