Is it Better to Leave the Lights On, or Turn Them Off, When You Leave a Room?
Robin Green asked:
Is it better to turn a light off every time you leave a room, or leave it on if you’ll be coming back to the room shortly?
If you’re into energy conservation, or trying to cut your home energy bills, you have probably asked yourself this question. And chances are you have accepted the conventional wisdom, that it is better to leave the light on for short periods, than turn it off, then on again.
In this case, the conventional wisdom is dead wrong.
Here is how the argument goes: When you first power a light on, it will use as much as five (or fifteen) minutes of the regular consumption of the bulb, within the first second. So if a three-year-old flicks the switch continuously for a minute, on or off every second, they are actually burning 5 minutes worth of electricity every other second (30 times in one minute). That works out to 30 x 5 minutes, or 150 minutes, worth of electricity in that one minute.
It’s not hard to demonstrate that this is nonsense. Suppose the kid is toggling a 100 watt light. Over the course of sixty seconds, if we accept that switching on the light on uses the equivalent of what the light normally uses in five minutes, we have used 100 watts times 150 minutes.
Now, 150 minutes worth of electricity at 100 watts is the same amount of power as 1 minute of electricity at 15,000 watts. And since the light was turned on and off over the course of one minute, it means that if our assumption about the size of the initial power surge is correct, during that one minute the light bulb behaved as if it were burning 15,000 watts continuously.
Remember your high school physics class, where you learned the rule: Watts = Amps X Volts? In this case, we know both the Volts and the Watts so we can fill in:
15,000 watts = Amps X 110 volts
(Let’s suppose the mischievous kid lives in Canada, where power in homes is normally 110v). To solve for Amps, we divide both sides by 110v, which yields:
15,000 watts / 110 volts = Amps
Which means that the light was drawing 136 amps of power.
Now I don’t know about your house, but mine is certainly not going to be able to handle a 136 amp current on one light for a whole minute, since the whole house has a power supply of just 100 amps. And my circuit breakers are all 15 or 30 amp breakers – which means they trip off when the power surges to much more than their rated amperage of 15 or 30 amps. So that toddler turning the light on every other second for a minute, yielding a 136 amp draw, would blow the circuit breaker for the circuit the light is on, and possibly blow the main circuit breaker for the house.
So what’s the scoop? Yes, there is a power surge when a light is turned on. But that surge lasts only a tiny fraction of a second, and it works out to far less energy than the usually quoted five or fifteen minutes of leaving the light on.
All right, you say, but won’t the light burn out if I keep flicking it on and off?
You just have to watch that toddler in action for a while to know the answer: I’ve seen kids wreck a light bulb in a matter of minutes with the on-off trick. The more times you turn a bulb on or off, the sooner it burns out.
But even if each time you turn a light on you shorten its life by an hour – and the figure is probably far lower than that – you will still save energy and money if you turn off lights whenever you leave a room.
Again, consider the lowly incandescent. You can buy a cheap 100 watt bulb for around 25 cents and it lasts about 1,000 hours. They burn 0.1 kilowatt hours each hour they are on. If we assume we burn a bulb out in 1,000 on-off cycles, and electricity costs us 10 cents a kilowatt hour, that means it costs us 1 cent to run the bulb for one hour (100 watts = 0.1 kilowatt, X 10 cents = 1 cent).
So, each time the light gets switched off (which entails switching it back on later) you are spending a thousandth of the 25 cents you spent on the bulb, or one twentieth of a cent (a mere $0.0005!)
And every time you turn a bulb off for five minutes you are saving 5/60 of the $0.01 it costs to run the bulb for an hour, or 0.08 of a cent.
So switching the light off for five minutes cuts your electricity costs by more than three times the extra you’ll be spending on shortened bulb life. And remember, we assumed that each flick of the switch uses an hour of the bulb’s life, but it’s probably far less than that – we just chose an hour to prove the point.
There is one other flaw with the leave-the-light-on conventional wisdom: it fails to take into account what happens when we get distracted.
You leave the room for a few minutes to put something away, but you leave the light on as you plan to return shortly. But a neighbor at the door, a friend on the phone, or some other distraction, keeps you away from the room where you left the light on – and half an hour or more, you remember that light left on. Even worse, if the light was in a room you don’t visit often – the basement work room or that empty third bedroom, you might not discover the light has been left on until several days later. Forgetting to turn a light off in one case like that can eat up way more money and energy than shortening the bulb’s life by an hour.
So make it your philosophy to turn off lights. Not only will you save electricity when you turn off lights, and save money overall, but it will remind you to be an energy saver in other ways. And you will be setting a visible example to others, who will become more conservation conscious as well.
Is it better to turn a light off every time you leave a room, or leave it on if you’ll be coming back to the room shortly?
If you’re into energy conservation, or trying to cut your home energy bills, you have probably asked yourself this question. And chances are you have accepted the conventional wisdom, that it is better to leave the light on for short periods, than turn it off, then on again.
In this case, the conventional wisdom is dead wrong.
Here is how the argument goes: When you first power a light on, it will use as much as five (or fifteen) minutes of the regular consumption of the bulb, within the first second. So if a three-year-old flicks the switch continuously for a minute, on or off every second, they are actually burning 5 minutes worth of electricity every other second (30 times in one minute). That works out to 30 x 5 minutes, or 150 minutes, worth of electricity in that one minute.
It’s not hard to demonstrate that this is nonsense. Suppose the kid is toggling a 100 watt light. Over the course of sixty seconds, if we accept that switching on the light on uses the equivalent of what the light normally uses in five minutes, we have used 100 watts times 150 minutes.
Now, 150 minutes worth of electricity at 100 watts is the same amount of power as 1 minute of electricity at 15,000 watts. And since the light was turned on and off over the course of one minute, it means that if our assumption about the size of the initial power surge is correct, during that one minute the light bulb behaved as if it were burning 15,000 watts continuously.
Remember your high school physics class, where you learned the rule: Watts = Amps X Volts? In this case, we know both the Volts and the Watts so we can fill in:
15,000 watts = Amps X 110 volts
(Let’s suppose the mischievous kid lives in Canada, where power in homes is normally 110v). To solve for Amps, we divide both sides by 110v, which yields:
15,000 watts / 110 volts = Amps
Which means that the light was drawing 136 amps of power.
Now I don’t know about your house, but mine is certainly not going to be able to handle a 136 amp current on one light for a whole minute, since the whole house has a power supply of just 100 amps. And my circuit breakers are all 15 or 30 amp breakers – which means they trip off when the power surges to much more than their rated amperage of 15 or 30 amps. So that toddler turning the light on every other second for a minute, yielding a 136 amp draw, would blow the circuit breaker for the circuit the light is on, and possibly blow the main circuit breaker for the house.
So what’s the scoop? Yes, there is a power surge when a light is turned on. But that surge lasts only a tiny fraction of a second, and it works out to far less energy than the usually quoted five or fifteen minutes of leaving the light on.
All right, you say, but won’t the light burn out if I keep flicking it on and off?
You just have to watch that toddler in action for a while to know the answer: I’ve seen kids wreck a light bulb in a matter of minutes with the on-off trick. The more times you turn a bulb on or off, the sooner it burns out.
But even if each time you turn a light on you shorten its life by an hour – and the figure is probably far lower than that – you will still save energy and money if you turn off lights whenever you leave a room.
Again, consider the lowly incandescent. You can buy a cheap 100 watt bulb for around 25 cents and it lasts about 1,000 hours. They burn 0.1 kilowatt hours each hour they are on. If we assume we burn a bulb out in 1,000 on-off cycles, and electricity costs us 10 cents a kilowatt hour, that means it costs us 1 cent to run the bulb for one hour (100 watts = 0.1 kilowatt, X 10 cents = 1 cent).
So, each time the light gets switched off (which entails switching it back on later) you are spending a thousandth of the 25 cents you spent on the bulb, or one twentieth of a cent (a mere $0.0005!)
And every time you turn a bulb off for five minutes you are saving 5/60 of the $0.01 it costs to run the bulb for an hour, or 0.08 of a cent.
So switching the light off for five minutes cuts your electricity costs by more than three times the extra you’ll be spending on shortened bulb life. And remember, we assumed that each flick of the switch uses an hour of the bulb’s life, but it’s probably far less than that – we just chose an hour to prove the point.
There is one other flaw with the leave-the-light-on conventional wisdom: it fails to take into account what happens when we get distracted.
You leave the room for a few minutes to put something away, but you leave the light on as you plan to return shortly. But a neighbor at the door, a friend on the phone, or some other distraction, keeps you away from the room where you left the light on – and half an hour or more, you remember that light left on. Even worse, if the light was in a room you don’t visit often – the basement work room or that empty third bedroom, you might not discover the light has been left on until several days later. Forgetting to turn a light off in one case like that can eat up way more money and energy than shortening the bulb’s life by an hour.
So make it your philosophy to turn off lights. Not only will you save electricity when you turn off lights, and save money overall, but it will remind you to be an energy saver in other ways. And you will be setting a visible example to others, who will become more conservation conscious as well.
Specialty Lighting
Matt Oliver asked:
There are numerous amounts of lighting types that can be used in the home, office, or any other kind of space that may need to be lit. Although many people may think that they can install their own light structures or solutions it is best to have a professional install specialty lighting.
Most lighting technicians are able to install any type of light structure that a customer may want. Whether it is exterior or interior, someone that specializes in this type of work will be able to service your needs and make sure that it is done as safely as possible. Electrical companies that install specialty lighting systems can install options such as security, track, “green” (energy-efficient), and most any other type of specialty configuration that you may need.
Security lighting can be used as a preventative measure against break-ins or other types of possible illicit activity. This type of illumination can be used at the home or office. Anticipatory actions toward the security of the home or office can be used to help you, your family, and employees feel safe, dissuade trespasser from breaking in, but can also sometimes create visual distractions that may hinder the safety factor that the illumination was initially supposed to be used for. Having a professional properly install the lighting can ensure that it is carefully designed and able to have the proper effect on your safety.
Track lighting is a very versatile means of illuminating a room, or various parts of the room for that matter. Track lights allow you to compose a custom radiance design that can be used to highlight different parts of a room. This system can use flood bulbs or spot bulbs to direct the focus to whatever portion of the room that you are trying to highlight. This is also something that should be installed by a professional so that it is properly done and so that the effect that you are going for can be achieved.
“Green” lighting is also another type of illumination that can be used in any space that you like. This form of illumination is energy efficient and Earth friendly. Lights of this type are compact fluorescent lights, or other forms of energy conserving lights, and can help to reduce the cost and amount of energy that is used.
The way that you use lighting in each room of your house can take the room from boring to intriguing. Depending on what the room is used for will determine what type of luminous energy that should be used. The illumination in a room can be used to accent, for particular tasks that are performed in that room, as a hidden source to add a certain effect, or just to add that something extra.
There are numerous amounts of lighting types that can be used in the home, office, or any other kind of space that may need to be lit. Although many people may think that they can install their own light structures or solutions it is best to have a professional install specialty lighting.
Most lighting technicians are able to install any type of light structure that a customer may want. Whether it is exterior or interior, someone that specializes in this type of work will be able to service your needs and make sure that it is done as safely as possible. Electrical companies that install specialty lighting systems can install options such as security, track, “green” (energy-efficient), and most any other type of specialty configuration that you may need.
Security lighting can be used as a preventative measure against break-ins or other types of possible illicit activity. This type of illumination can be used at the home or office. Anticipatory actions toward the security of the home or office can be used to help you, your family, and employees feel safe, dissuade trespasser from breaking in, but can also sometimes create visual distractions that may hinder the safety factor that the illumination was initially supposed to be used for. Having a professional properly install the lighting can ensure that it is carefully designed and able to have the proper effect on your safety.
Track lighting is a very versatile means of illuminating a room, or various parts of the room for that matter. Track lights allow you to compose a custom radiance design that can be used to highlight different parts of a room. This system can use flood bulbs or spot bulbs to direct the focus to whatever portion of the room that you are trying to highlight. This is also something that should be installed by a professional so that it is properly done and so that the effect that you are going for can be achieved.
“Green” lighting is also another type of illumination that can be used in any space that you like. This form of illumination is energy efficient and Earth friendly. Lights of this type are compact fluorescent lights, or other forms of energy conserving lights, and can help to reduce the cost and amount of energy that is used.
The way that you use lighting in each room of your house can take the room from boring to intriguing. Depending on what the room is used for will determine what type of luminous energy that should be used. The illumination in a room can be used to accent, for particular tasks that are performed in that room, as a hidden source to add a certain effect, or just to add that something extra.
Green White Light: Oled for Lighting Explained
Ron Mertens asked:
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) are materials that emit light when current is passed through them. OLED are used today to make beautiful and efficient displays in MP3 players, mobile phones and other gadgets, and the world’s first OLED-TV can be bougt from Sony. Because OLEDs emit light, it is also possible use the technology to create white light.
OLEDs are very power efficient and they can be made very thin. An OLED light bulb is actually a thin film of material that emits bright white light. Because OLEDs can be flexible, or even transparent, exciting new OLED lamp designs are possible.
OLEDs are also the most ‘green’ light source. Not only are they super efficient, but OLEDs do not contain any ‘bad’ metals such as mercury, which is present in efficient CFL lamps. So OLEDs are really the future lighting source, when all things are considered.
In April 2008, OSRAM has announced the world’s first OLED lamp. It was designed by lighting designer Ingo Maurer, uses 10 OLED light panels, sized 132 x 33 millimeters. The OLED bulb in this lamp are actually thin square sheets that emit light. This lamp is more of a prototype than a commercial product – only 25 will be made, and the price is more than 25,000euro. But it sure is an important milestone on the path for OLED lighting.
Several companies are working towards white OLED light products. GE is hoping to get products out by 2010, and OSRAM is planning products for 2011-12, even though, like we said, they already introduced their first OLED lamp in 2008.
Philips is already shipping product samples and OLED lighting kits, and is hoping to have commercial products as early as 2009. Other companies involved in white OLED lighting are Konica Minolta (plans to have products by 2011), Universal Display (WOLED technology), and Kodak.The EU is funding several OLED lighting projects, while in Japan a few companies have joined forces to create Lumiotec – a JV to study the possibilities of OLED light bulbs.
We’re yet to see which company (or companies) will win the race for OLED lighting. But we’re seeing more and more evidence that OLEDs will play an important role in our green-light future.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) are materials that emit light when current is passed through them. OLED are used today to make beautiful and efficient displays in MP3 players, mobile phones and other gadgets, and the world’s first OLED-TV can be bougt from Sony. Because OLEDs emit light, it is also possible use the technology to create white light.
OLEDs are very power efficient and they can be made very thin. An OLED light bulb is actually a thin film of material that emits bright white light. Because OLEDs can be flexible, or even transparent, exciting new OLED lamp designs are possible.
OLEDs are also the most ‘green’ light source. Not only are they super efficient, but OLEDs do not contain any ‘bad’ metals such as mercury, which is present in efficient CFL lamps. So OLEDs are really the future lighting source, when all things are considered.
In April 2008, OSRAM has announced the world’s first OLED lamp. It was designed by lighting designer Ingo Maurer, uses 10 OLED light panels, sized 132 x 33 millimeters. The OLED bulb in this lamp are actually thin square sheets that emit light. This lamp is more of a prototype than a commercial product – only 25 will be made, and the price is more than 25,000euro. But it sure is an important milestone on the path for OLED lighting.
Several companies are working towards white OLED light products. GE is hoping to get products out by 2010, and OSRAM is planning products for 2011-12, even though, like we said, they already introduced their first OLED lamp in 2008.
Philips is already shipping product samples and OLED lighting kits, and is hoping to have commercial products as early as 2009. Other companies involved in white OLED lighting are Konica Minolta (plans to have products by 2011), Universal Display (WOLED technology), and Kodak.The EU is funding several OLED lighting projects, while in Japan a few companies have joined forces to create Lumiotec – a JV to study the possibilities of OLED light bulbs.
We’re yet to see which company (or companies) will win the race for OLED lighting. But we’re seeing more and more evidence that OLEDs will play an important role in our green-light future.
Green Snow Holidays – From Bbc Green
Green Rewards asked:
Here’s our essential guide to skiing and snowboarding the green way
Skiing and snowboarding are not the obvious choice for an eco-friendly traveller. After all, air flights, luxury spas and hacking your way through the pristine snow are a far cry from a tree-planting camp in Devon.
But it doesn’t have to be like that – winter sport is about enjoying the great outdoors, so we’ve looked at some of the best ways to respect it too. Here’s our advice on how to get there, where to stay and what kit you should bring with you.
Take the snow train
If you’re looking for a greener way to the slopes than flying and are tired of the inconvenience of flight delays, then travelling by train could be for you. Thousands of skiers and boarders choose to make their journey to the heart of the slopes this way every season.
Rail Europe’s Snow Trainis an overnight sleeper service from London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet International, Kent, to a number of skiing destinations in the French Alps. There is a specially designated sound-proofed disco carriage, so you can party all night, or if you’d rather save your energy for the slopes, there is comfortable, flat-bed sleeping accommodation.
In many cases, ski train journeys are similar in length to flying. Remember, by train there’s no two-hour check-in time, fewer delays and (on most trains) no long transfers to your resort.
Plus, most independent research says that travelling to the slopes by train produces a relatively small carbon footprint compared to flying or going by car.
It’s worth remembering though that you need to change platforms at Paris before travelling onto the stations at Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime la Plagne, Landry and Bourg St Maurice.
The Snow Train can also be more convenient if you’re taking your own gear, as there is no charge for carrying your skis or boards in their ski locker. You arrive early Saturday morning and depart last thing the following Saturday, so you get maximum time on the slopes.
Eco-friendly coach travel
Coach travel to the Alps is a long-haul option but it is also great value. National Express’s Eurolines service runs from London Victoria to nine resorts in both France and Switzerland, and there is no charge for skis and snowboards.
The journey takes approximately 18 hours and most coaches leave in the afternoon and arrive early next morning. Reclining seats means you should get a decent night’s sleep and there’s usually a film to watch in the evening.
Greener accommodation
Finding a good value eco-friendly hotel or chalet can feel like an uphill struggle, as they are few and far between. But if you look hard, you can find wood fires, solar panels, and composting heaps among the hot-tubs, spas and gyms.
If it’s composting toilets you’re after you may well be out of luck, but lots of companies are increasingly looking out to protect the environment that their holidaymakers enjoy. Here are some of our favourites…
Whitepod
This unique Swiss eco-camp located above Les Cerniers, a small village at the foot of Dents du Midi, features five wood-fire heated domes around a 19th-century chalet. The igloo-shaped pods are each made from weatherproofed cotton stretched over a storm-proof steel frame, which should keep you snug and warm.
Inside, the pods are lit by petrol lamps and are furnished with recycled or sustainably made furniture. You can only get there on skis or snowshoes and your luggage is delivered via snowmobile, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
If you don’t want to ski or snowboard you can always go snowshoeing, dog-sledding, relax in the hot tub or try the star-gazing platform with telescope. If you have children, the site also offers an Eco Kids Camp from July to August, which includes wildlife observation, local farm visits, organic picnics and evening games.Winner of the Responsible Tourism Awards 2005 for innovation.
From 325 euros per night including coffee and afternoon tea.
For more information:Whitepod
Whitepod is renovating the camp to cut its footprint and ensure that the level of service remains high. As a result, it will not be open for this coming winter 08/09. However, their mountain refuge, which sleeps up to 60 guests, is open from 1 December 2008.
Green Rides – Challet Montperron
This luxurious 18th century eco-chalet is based just outside Bourg St Maurice. With five large double bedrooms, it includes all the usual chalet amenities such as wi-fi and cable as well an open log fire, spa area and a wood pellet-fired hot tub.
The electricity is sourced from wind and solar farms in northern France. All food waste is composted, the rubbish is recycled and energy efficient light bulbs are used throughout the property. The owners are also planning to install a solar panelled roof and offer a discount to customers who take the Snow Train.A week typically cost from £385 per person.
Green Rides
Karibuni – Lodge Aravis
This 100 year old catered chalet is set in the Aravis Mountains near La Clusaz and sleeps 35 people. It has a gym, sauna and massage room as well as a children’s area and an onsite ski hire shop.France can be hard for veggies but Lodge Aravis has been accredited by the Vegetarian Society, soust ask for their vegetarian menu. All waste is either composted or recycled and they aim to source as much fair trade, local, and free range produce as possible. The chalet also offsets its carbon emissions through Climate Care.
The people behind Lodge Aravis also run a number of other smaller chalets, including Chalet Aravis which can sleep up to 11 people and uses solar panels to heat all of its water.
From £580pp a week (including a lift pass for seven days of skiing).
Location: Aravis Mountain, French Alps. For more information: Karibuni
Green shopping for snow gear
When it comes to being green on the slopes, skis, snowboards and winter gear can pose a problem. Nearly all of them are made of a combination of wood, fibreglass, foam, plastic and steel, which are stuck together by epoxy resin, and are nearly impossible to recycle.
However, many manufacturers are taking green steps, from carbon offsetting to using sustainable materials, such as bamboo, and even solar-powered factories.
New Zealand company Kingswood Skis won a product sustainability award for their bamboo-core carbon neutral skis. They are also looking into a flax alternative to fibreglass which is used in almost every ski and board made today. And they provide a clear breakdown of all the materials used in their products on their website.
Arbor makes its snowboard’s cores from renewable, fast-growing bamboo, which has come from sustainably managed forests and the bases are made with leftover poly-ethylene. They have pledged to donate a portion of all their revenue to organisations involved in protecting the environment. Also, its factory’s machines are wind-powered.
Don’t forget the eco-benefits of buying secondhand gear or renting ski or snow equipment. Freecycle and Ebay are just a couple of online places you could try.
Take a look at our shop now for the best eco friendly shopping.
Here’s our essential guide to skiing and snowboarding the green way
Skiing and snowboarding are not the obvious choice for an eco-friendly traveller. After all, air flights, luxury spas and hacking your way through the pristine snow are a far cry from a tree-planting camp in Devon.
But it doesn’t have to be like that – winter sport is about enjoying the great outdoors, so we’ve looked at some of the best ways to respect it too. Here’s our advice on how to get there, where to stay and what kit you should bring with you.
Take the snow train
If you’re looking for a greener way to the slopes than flying and are tired of the inconvenience of flight delays, then travelling by train could be for you. Thousands of skiers and boarders choose to make their journey to the heart of the slopes this way every season.
Rail Europe’s Snow Trainis an overnight sleeper service from London St Pancras and Ebbsfleet International, Kent, to a number of skiing destinations in the French Alps. There is a specially designated sound-proofed disco carriage, so you can party all night, or if you’d rather save your energy for the slopes, there is comfortable, flat-bed sleeping accommodation.
In many cases, ski train journeys are similar in length to flying. Remember, by train there’s no two-hour check-in time, fewer delays and (on most trains) no long transfers to your resort.
Plus, most independent research says that travelling to the slopes by train produces a relatively small carbon footprint compared to flying or going by car.
It’s worth remembering though that you need to change platforms at Paris before travelling onto the stations at Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers, Aime la Plagne, Landry and Bourg St Maurice.
The Snow Train can also be more convenient if you’re taking your own gear, as there is no charge for carrying your skis or boards in their ski locker. You arrive early Saturday morning and depart last thing the following Saturday, so you get maximum time on the slopes.
Eco-friendly coach travel
Coach travel to the Alps is a long-haul option but it is also great value. National Express’s Eurolines service runs from London Victoria to nine resorts in both France and Switzerland, and there is no charge for skis and snowboards.
The journey takes approximately 18 hours and most coaches leave in the afternoon and arrive early next morning. Reclining seats means you should get a decent night’s sleep and there’s usually a film to watch in the evening.
Greener accommodation
Finding a good value eco-friendly hotel or chalet can feel like an uphill struggle, as they are few and far between. But if you look hard, you can find wood fires, solar panels, and composting heaps among the hot-tubs, spas and gyms.
If it’s composting toilets you’re after you may well be out of luck, but lots of companies are increasingly looking out to protect the environment that their holidaymakers enjoy. Here are some of our favourites…
Whitepod
This unique Swiss eco-camp located above Les Cerniers, a small village at the foot of Dents du Midi, features five wood-fire heated domes around a 19th-century chalet. The igloo-shaped pods are each made from weatherproofed cotton stretched over a storm-proof steel frame, which should keep you snug and warm.
Inside, the pods are lit by petrol lamps and are furnished with recycled or sustainably made furniture. You can only get there on skis or snowshoes and your luggage is delivered via snowmobile, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
If you don’t want to ski or snowboard you can always go snowshoeing, dog-sledding, relax in the hot tub or try the star-gazing platform with telescope. If you have children, the site also offers an Eco Kids Camp from July to August, which includes wildlife observation, local farm visits, organic picnics and evening games.Winner of the Responsible Tourism Awards 2005 for innovation.
From 325 euros per night including coffee and afternoon tea.
For more information:Whitepod
Whitepod is renovating the camp to cut its footprint and ensure that the level of service remains high. As a result, it will not be open for this coming winter 08/09. However, their mountain refuge, which sleeps up to 60 guests, is open from 1 December 2008.
Green Rides – Challet Montperron
This luxurious 18th century eco-chalet is based just outside Bourg St Maurice. With five large double bedrooms, it includes all the usual chalet amenities such as wi-fi and cable as well an open log fire, spa area and a wood pellet-fired hot tub.
The electricity is sourced from wind and solar farms in northern France. All food waste is composted, the rubbish is recycled and energy efficient light bulbs are used throughout the property. The owners are also planning to install a solar panelled roof and offer a discount to customers who take the Snow Train.A week typically cost from £385 per person.
Green Rides
Karibuni – Lodge Aravis
This 100 year old catered chalet is set in the Aravis Mountains near La Clusaz and sleeps 35 people. It has a gym, sauna and massage room as well as a children’s area and an onsite ski hire shop.France can be hard for veggies but Lodge Aravis has been accredited by the Vegetarian Society, soust ask for their vegetarian menu. All waste is either composted or recycled and they aim to source as much fair trade, local, and free range produce as possible. The chalet also offsets its carbon emissions through Climate Care.
The people behind Lodge Aravis also run a number of other smaller chalets, including Chalet Aravis which can sleep up to 11 people and uses solar panels to heat all of its water.
From £580pp a week (including a lift pass for seven days of skiing).
Location: Aravis Mountain, French Alps. For more information: Karibuni
Green shopping for snow gear
When it comes to being green on the slopes, skis, snowboards and winter gear can pose a problem. Nearly all of them are made of a combination of wood, fibreglass, foam, plastic and steel, which are stuck together by epoxy resin, and are nearly impossible to recycle.
However, many manufacturers are taking green steps, from carbon offsetting to using sustainable materials, such as bamboo, and even solar-powered factories.
New Zealand company Kingswood Skis won a product sustainability award for their bamboo-core carbon neutral skis. They are also looking into a flax alternative to fibreglass which is used in almost every ski and board made today. And they provide a clear breakdown of all the materials used in their products on their website.
Arbor makes its snowboard’s cores from renewable, fast-growing bamboo, which has come from sustainably managed forests and the bases are made with leftover poly-ethylene. They have pledged to donate a portion of all their revenue to organisations involved in protecting the environment. Also, its factory’s machines are wind-powered.
Don’t forget the eco-benefits of buying secondhand gear or renting ski or snow equipment. Freecycle and Ebay are just a couple of online places you could try.
Take a look at our shop now for the best eco friendly shopping.
Eco Friendly Gadgets Get The Green Light
Shaun Parker asked:
Global warming and climate change is big in the news at present, and calls for a more sustainable way of living are being directed at consumers at every level. It has become common practice to recycle household waste, sorting through cans, bottles, plastic and paper. Not as common, but eagerly encouraged is collecting organic waste to feed the compost bin, which in turn feeds the vegetables growing in the garden to complete a small sustainable cycle.
These are small, simple things that each of us can choose to do, but sometimes the move towards a more sustainable and eco friendly way of life is out of our control. It is time to convince the manufacturers and suppliers of everyday gadgets and gizmos that they too should be adopting a greener approach to their industry. This will give the consumer the power to choose to purchase from an ethically minded business, bolstering the correct attitude towards green consumerism.
Of course, some would say that we should be doing without certain products altogether if the thought of climate change is so worrying. The truth of the fact is it is difficult to change the attitudes of the masses by being puritanical. If the lads and lassies still want their gadgets, then let them play, but give them opportunity to buy eco friendly versions of energy hungry ‘toys’. Solar power, wind power, wind-up power and kinetic charging are all ways that everyday products we have can become Eco Friendly.
One of the more exciting products to have had a trial is the kinetic mobile phone charger developed by Orange. Through a contraption that has internal weights and pullies that is strapped to your arm, a charge is generated while you dance, walk or run. Initially tested on the grooving masses at Glastonbury, it is hoped that this technology will be a success and become available to the general public. Imagine never needing to find a plug for your charger again, and the possibilities of getting super fit because you need to make a phone call!
A favourite of festival goers, campers, and those who like to escape the confines of city life, wind-up radios and torches have been on the scene for many years now. The dynamo system was originally designed to power radios in South Africa, to enable poor communities to have access to radio even without access to batteries. This technology is also ideal for emergency situations where sources of power are not available; and for equipping places that are visited infrequently, such as holiday homes or log cabins.
When it comes to solar power, it’s shocking how long we’ve been living with the technology and probably barely noticed. The common calculator has been using the sun to charge its energy cells for years. The technology has progressed to the point where a company has manufactured a solar charger for laptop computers, compact enough to carry wherever you go just to make sure you never miss another email! Solar energy is also being used in garden trinkets, such as outdoor fairy lights and garden lanterns.
Harnessing the energy of the wind is generally considered for use on a large scale, along with tidal power. Of course, if thousands of units of energy are needed to power all the energy consumption of a house, a turbine is needed, but smaller options are available to power a gadget fetish. Compact 24 volt wind generators are available to charge a leisure battery, the energy from which can be used just like the juice that comes from a household socket. The generators are incredibly popular on boats and caravans as a reliable and transportable source of energy; and there is no reason why harnessing renewable power shouldn’t be used in the home too.
Global warming and climate change is big in the news at present, and calls for a more sustainable way of living are being directed at consumers at every level. It has become common practice to recycle household waste, sorting through cans, bottles, plastic and paper. Not as common, but eagerly encouraged is collecting organic waste to feed the compost bin, which in turn feeds the vegetables growing in the garden to complete a small sustainable cycle.
These are small, simple things that each of us can choose to do, but sometimes the move towards a more sustainable and eco friendly way of life is out of our control. It is time to convince the manufacturers and suppliers of everyday gadgets and gizmos that they too should be adopting a greener approach to their industry. This will give the consumer the power to choose to purchase from an ethically minded business, bolstering the correct attitude towards green consumerism.
Of course, some would say that we should be doing without certain products altogether if the thought of climate change is so worrying. The truth of the fact is it is difficult to change the attitudes of the masses by being puritanical. If the lads and lassies still want their gadgets, then let them play, but give them opportunity to buy eco friendly versions of energy hungry ‘toys’. Solar power, wind power, wind-up power and kinetic charging are all ways that everyday products we have can become Eco Friendly.
One of the more exciting products to have had a trial is the kinetic mobile phone charger developed by Orange. Through a contraption that has internal weights and pullies that is strapped to your arm, a charge is generated while you dance, walk or run. Initially tested on the grooving masses at Glastonbury, it is hoped that this technology will be a success and become available to the general public. Imagine never needing to find a plug for your charger again, and the possibilities of getting super fit because you need to make a phone call!
A favourite of festival goers, campers, and those who like to escape the confines of city life, wind-up radios and torches have been on the scene for many years now. The dynamo system was originally designed to power radios in South Africa, to enable poor communities to have access to radio even without access to batteries. This technology is also ideal for emergency situations where sources of power are not available; and for equipping places that are visited infrequently, such as holiday homes or log cabins.
When it comes to solar power, it’s shocking how long we’ve been living with the technology and probably barely noticed. The common calculator has been using the sun to charge its energy cells for years. The technology has progressed to the point where a company has manufactured a solar charger for laptop computers, compact enough to carry wherever you go just to make sure you never miss another email! Solar energy is also being used in garden trinkets, such as outdoor fairy lights and garden lanterns.
Harnessing the energy of the wind is generally considered for use on a large scale, along with tidal power. Of course, if thousands of units of energy are needed to power all the energy consumption of a house, a turbine is needed, but smaller options are available to power a gadget fetish. Compact 24 volt wind generators are available to charge a leisure battery, the energy from which can be used just like the juice that comes from a household socket. The generators are incredibly popular on boats and caravans as a reliable and transportable source of energy; and there is no reason why harnessing renewable power shouldn’t be used in the home too.