Work out and Power up with the POWERplus Gazelle Pedal Powered Charger
A breakthrough design in both power generation and exercise the POWERplus Gazelle Pedal Powered Charger is a really nice product and unusual purchase to have in your home. If you are looking to get fit but would also like to get something else productive out of it then this is an excellent item for every eco-friendly customer.
The POWERplus Gazelle Pedal Powered Charger when charged can power nearly any electrical appliance up to 100W of electricity all produced through your physical work out. It is the ideal device for charging batteries, mobile phones and games consoles to name a few. As well as acting as a portable power bank this devices includes an in-built torch light. To get started with the POWERplus Gazelle Pedal Powered Charger and begin creating power you simply sit down anywhere in your home, place the charger in front of you and start a cycling motion with the provided pedals. Inside this machine is not only a power generator but an integrated inverter too which will allow you to also select DC voltages of 3V, 4.5V, 6V, 9V and 12V. It can even supply power through a standard USB cable which is an excellent option if you would like to charge your iPod or other MP3 player. When using this device not only will you be doing your bit for the environment but you will also enjoy a great workout through the pedal powering motion. The next time you use whichever device it has charged you will feel complete pride to know that it was done through your own hard work!
A radiator energy saving set saves you money and energy
With winter looking set to be colder than ever, staying warm has never been more important – and this radiator energy saving set from Nigel’s Eco Store is the ideal way to do this. Many of us worry not only about the environmental impact of using our heating systems but also about the increasingly high cost of energy: this set will help you keep warm, improve energy efficiency and save money (and, even better, it is currently on sale – so it really is a bargain!). The radiator energy saving set includes of a pack of 10 radiator insulation panels, which fit behind your radiators to reflect heat inwards rather than losing it; a radiator booster, (as seen on Dragon’s Den!) which is an innovative product which uses a small fan to capture and circulate heat from your radiator, thereby increasing its energy efficiency; and a radiator auto bleeder vent, which automatically releases air from a radiator, thereby maximising heat. These products work well separately, but together as a pack are both economical and efficient, and could save you up to an estimated £200 a year in bills. With the forecast saying there is even colder weather to come – and the likelihood that future winters will be equally bad, if not worse, as we see the results of climate change – making your home as energy efficient as possible with a radiator energy saving set now seems like a sound investment.
Keep warm this winter with an Eco Flame
Everyone loves a real fire, but with an Eco Flame fireplace you can enjoy the effects of a real fire without any of the environmental drawbacks. Eco Flame fireplaces are designed to mirror the effect of a real fire and give all the comfort and warmth a real fire offers, but with the convenience of an electric fire. Eco Flame fireplaces use technology that only uses 10% of the power of a conventional electric fire. The Eco Flame fireplace comes with infra-red remote control to give you variable settings, and is designed with LED light emitter elements so that the power consumption of the flame effect is less than 10W. The LED light sources are also long life, designed to last the full life cycle of the Eco Flame fireplace, so there are no replacement costs, which also reduces waste and saves money and energy. Plus, as you don’t need fuel such as coal or oil, it is inexpensive to run and easy to maintain. On top of this, the Eco Flame fireplaces look beautiful and can be installed where it is impractical to have a real fire. So why not install an Eco Flame fireplace this winter and start enjoying those nights in by the fire, without worrying that you are impacting on the planet?
The Horizon H-Racer Hydrogen-Powered Car
Do you feel the need for speed – but the guilt to be green? The eco-friendly Horizon H-Racer is the world’s smallest Hydrogen-powered fuel cell car and lets you indulge your inner Top Gear without damaging the planet. This futuristic toy car is powered by Hydrogen – a non-toxic, renewable energy. The car’s fuel cell technology converts Hydrogen to electricity without any combustion, meaning the only exhaust resulting from fuel cell cars is pure water. The remote control H-racer is an exciting toy that uses the technology that is being developed by motor industry manufacturers to power this eco-friendly car. It contains an onboard Hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell system linked to the car’s electric motor and a Hydrogen refuelling system that can be linked to an external system solar-powered refuelling system (which is included in the kit) so the car runs on completely clean energy! It is also totally safe, given the tiny amounts of hydrogen used. Developed by Horizon, a group of scientists and entrepreneurs dedicated to developing greener energy solutions, this toy car uses technologies that might one day be commonplace on our roads, helping solve one of the greatest energy challenges we face today – our dependence on fossil fuels. But in the meantime, it provides endless hours of eco-fun and makes the ideal gift for the would-be Lewis Hamilton in your life.
Standby solutions save you energy
Leaving devices on standby – instead of switching them off – wastes energy and costs you money, but it’s a habit that many of us have fallen into. The Bye Bye Standby Energy Saving Kit is aimed at reducing your energy bills and your carbon footprint by simply cutting the power to devices that are plugged into it when they are not in use. The device is easy to use – simply plug a Bye Bye Standby Smart Socket into a mains wall switch and plug your electrical appliance such as a DVD, TV, stereo or TV into it. You then just make sure your remote control (included in the pack) is set to the same ‘house code’ as the Smart Socket and you can switch off your devices from up to 30m away. Working on the same principle, the Intellipanel for desktop computers allows you to plug your PC into the master socket and all peripherals into the other socket, so that when you power down your computer, power to the peripherals is cut at the same time. There is also an Intellipanel for laptops available. Another smart eco-solution – designed for both PCs and laptops – is the Ecobutton. Pressing this clever little device puts your computer into energy saving ‘eco mode’, saving you energy – and when you want to start working again, you simply press the Ecobutton and your PC or laptop is reactivated at exactly where you left off! With all of us worrying more about energy bills, as well as our carbon footprint, these standby solutions offer an easy and eco-friendly way to save energy and money.
The Solargorilla gives you more solar power
Solar power is a great eco-friendly solution, but the problem with many solar powered chargers is they simply aren’t capable of charging more energy-sapping devices. The Solargorilla solar laptop charger takes solar power to the next level. The Solargorilla is the latest solar charger from Powertraveller and comes with two solar panels. It is capable of charging most laptops, notebooks, games consoles, music players and mobile phones: it even comes with two sockets, so you can charge up your laptop and mobile phone at the same time! Designed for travel, the Solargorilla has tough, durable solid panels but folds up into its Neoprene case when not in use. It even has a special slot allowing it to be hung from a tent, caravan or vehicle, so it’s perfect for travelling. If a Solargorilla is more power than you need, you can always try the more compact Solarmonkey. Also designed by Powertraveller, the Solarmonkey is a smaller device which is ideal for recharging mobile phones, Ipods, and even some digital cameras and games consoles. This device also offers the ability to save energy into a smaller capacity device, the Monkey Nut. This allows you to still use the charger when the sun has gone in, and stores extra standby power – so you’ll always be able to make that vital call! Like the Solargorilla, it comes with a selection of connector tips and a travel case. So whatever your energy requirements, you can go nuts for these solar devices!
Enjoy mobile energy with the POWERPlus Gazelle
Many of us will have been at the gym and wondered why they can’t just use the energy from all of those exercise machines to power up the electricity for the building. It seems like an obvious solution, but unfortunately it’s not one that has been implemented yet. Well, on a smaller scale, the POWERPlus Gazelle makes that a reality. A pedal powered generator with an AC/DC Powerbank, the POWERPlus Gazelle allows you to have power anytime, anywhere – simply by generating it yourself. The multifunctional Powerbank contains a 12V internal battery and can be used for charging a whole range of items. Should you run out of pedal power, you can also charge it via a car battery or the included mains adapter. It offers a range of DC outputs, a USB output and can be used to power TVs, laptops, even lighting and refrigerators – it can also be used for mobile devices. While obviously not a solution to all your power needs, it is a useful way both to slash energy bills – and gym fees! The Powerbank also comes with an integrated LED light. Fully charged, the Gazelle will power a laptop for an hour. Even better, you’re not only saving energy usage, and energy bills, you’re getting fit at the same time. So why not get on your bike – and save energy at the same time?
The Emergence of the Electric Van
According to current statistics, there are approximately 3,000,000 diesel vans on British roads and some 500,000 lorries. Given that the average articulated lorry, when fully laden, will offer just 8 miles to the gallon, it is hardly a surprise that lorry drivers tend to protest when fuel costs rise. It is also clear that the greatest impact of these three and a half million fuel guzzling vehicles is borne by the environment. However, whilst traditional diesel or petrol vans and lorries will continue to clock up billions of miles on British roads each year, there are more eco-friendly alternatives available.
Indeed, the Modec van was launched in 2007 having been in development for several years. Although sales are only just beginning to represent the strengths of the Modec van, the vehicle’s eco-friendly vital statistics are undeniably attractive. Whereas an average diesel van will cost around £100 to fill up, the electric Modec van costs just £5 for a full charge. Moreover, it offers none of the noise and air pollution associated with conventional vans. In fact, the Modec Van is a Zero Emission Vehicle (Zev).
In terms of range, which is one of the main reasons why many delivery companies have not switched over to commercial electric vans, the Modec van offers a respectable 100 miles on a six hour charge. Nevertheless, the real strive towards greener commercial vehicles comes in the form of Renault and Nissan’s ‘Project Better Place’, which aims to introduce an electric car battery station network by 2011. The effect of deploying such a network would be to provide a virtually infinite trade of spent batteries for fully charged replacements, which could keep heavy load vehicles on the go for thousands of miles or more.
Wind-up Eco Media Revolution Player
A wind-up media player might sound like a joke, but in fact it is a cutting edge eco-solution. The Eco Media Player Revolution combines the latest in media technology with the energy efficiency and power-on-the-go freedom of wind-up power. The Eco Media Player Revolution is powered by winding the integrated handle and offers 24-bit Hi Fidelity playback of all the major music formats including Apple AAC, Microsoft WMA, mp3, and OGG Vorbis. You can also watch video clips and movies, as the device supports formats such as MP4 and Windows WMV and it includes a stereo FM radio and built-in photo album and e-book reader. You can even use it to recharge your phone if you’re stuck without a charger – use the attached connectors and the Revolution’s hand-crank.
The Eco Media Player Revolution is the latest green solution from Trevor Baylis Brands. Trevor Baylis OBE is a former stuntman who, moved by the plight of AIDS victims in Africa, recognised that radio broadcasts could be a useful tool in promoting health education and halting the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, the need for batteries or electricity – everyday items we in the West take for granted – made radios too expensive for many people. Trevor’s solution was to develop a prototype wind-up radio. Initially met with universal rejection, the idea was brought to wider recognition via a showcase on the BBC programme Tomorrow’s World in 1994. The following year, BabyGen Power Industries was set up in South Africa, employing disabled workers to manufacture the groundbreaking Freeplay wind-up radio. In 1997, with the realisation that a wind-up radio could also be successfully sold to Western consumers increasingly looking for energy efficient products, a smaller and lighter model was developed. It was later updated to include a solar panel, making it an even more eco-friendly option.
Doing Business the Green Way
The environmental plight of the planet is a subject that has been brought to almost everyone’s attention. Indeed, it is now commonplace for plastic, glass, cardboard and other recyclable materials to be separated from the main household rubbish, whilst more homes than ever before have improved their heating efficiency in order to reduce waste. A number of households have even installed solar panels at home or have purchased their mains electricity from green renewable sources. In short, as a result of endless public awareness campaigns, people have begun to do their bit for the environment. Of course, whether this is sufficient remains to be seen, as current estimates continue to predict that the Earth is heading towards an environmental crisis. Indeed, it may not be possible to prevent global warming worsening although, if it is, it is likely that greater efforts need to be made now. Therefore, whilst people continue to consider how they can improve their Eco-friendly activities in the domestic sphere, they should also pay attention to what can be achieved in the workplace.
In fact, businesses are known to produce some of the largest and most significant carbon footprints, so it is only right that steps are made to reverse this trend. In the UK, mechanisms such as the Green Grants Machine are in place to help businesses to reduce their carbon emissions. In fact, many grants are available for businesses of all sizes if they are able to install solar panels, improve recycling, purchase hybrid fleet vehicles and so on. Additionally, employees are urged to adopt the same standards in the workplace as they do at home in so far as recycling is concerned, which is commonly neglected during office hours. For more advice on how to make your business greener, there are a number of books available, such as The Green Guide for Businesses.
