As A Business FairTrades Is Proud To Be Going Green

FairTrades like many of our members and their customers takes renewable energy seriously.  By taking action on climate change, reducing carbon emissions by 30.6% and committing to continue reducing this figure year on year, we have been awarded the prestigious Carbon Trust Standard.

We also encourage our Members to adopt environmentally business practices as not only will this help look after the planet, it can also save money on the costs of running a business.

The Fair Trades Ltd carbon footprint as calculated using the Carbon Trusts on-line Emissions calculations tool.

The actual Carbon Footprint calculation performed by the Carbon Trust calculation tool and used for our submission is: -

Year 2009/10     81494.7kgCO2e
Year 2010/11     56542.2kgCO2e

For more information on the FairTrades Energy Management Policy click here.

We Support Energy Saving & Solar Technology

Today, many homeowners want to save money on energy costs and to make their property more eco-friendly.  However, with an increasing array of products and technologies on the market, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to begin…

• Start by looking at the basics, as these are often the cheapest and easiest improvements to make:
• Insulation – start by checking that your property has sufficient roof, loft and cavity wall insulation.
• Glazing- check that your double glazing is in good condition and if not, consider replacing it with more up to date, efficient products which will keep the heat in during the winter and keep your home cooler during the summer.  You could even consider triple glazing and remember to check that your front door is also double glazed.
• Household Appliances – older fridges, freezers and ovens can be inefficient and waste a lot of energy, which means they cost more to use.  By updating to more efficient appliances, you can save money and energy at the same time.
• Tumble Dryers – hanging your washing outside to dry or by a radiator can save money as tumble dryers are notoriously power hungry and it is also more environmentally friendly.
• Hot Water – if you have an old boiler system that runs on thermostats you are probably wasting energy by keeping the water hot even when you don’t need it.  A newer and more efficient gas boiler system can work out far cheaper as it only heats the water you need when you need it.

So, now you have the basics sorted out, what next:

• Solar Panels – new solar technology, such as photo voltaic panels can save money on energy bills, add resale value to your home, pay for itself over 15 years and can even generate a modest income.

The Benefits of Solar Technology

• It’s a renewable resource and there is plenty of sunlight to go around.
• In the long run it can repay the cost of installation via the ‘Feed in Tariff’ and the income from the Feed in Tariff is currently tax free.
• The electricity you generate can be used for personal use or sold back to the power company.
• Solar panels have no moving parts, need little maintenance and should outlast their warranty
• Solar technology is silent, never ending and above all clean, harvesting the sun’s power creates free energy for your home.
• A typical household can reduce their carbon emissions by around 1.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. 
• An average household can expect to reduce their heating bills by around 40% and there can be savings of as much as 50% on their energy bills by using free hot water generated by the solar thermal panels.  Solar water heating panels can be added to most hot water systems - great news for those with older systems.

Utility companies are likely to continue increasing their prices year after year – which is a great incentive to become more self-sufficient

If the 25 million homes in the UK all used solar technology the positive impact on the environment would be massive.

The Costs of Solar Technology vs. Feed in Tarriffs. Doing The Right Thing Isn't Always The Cheapest Option

Deciding to go solar will undoubtedly cost the average homeowner between £8,000 and £14,000, although usually this initial cost is usually repaid over time in the savings made on energy bills.   Another consideration is that usually, the more your system costs the more you are likely to save in the long run.

The quality of the equipment chased also plays a role in the amount of savings to be made, as cheaper less efficient PV solar panels cannot generate the same amount of electricity. The number of PV solar panels installed will also make a difference to the amount of energy generated and with the rapid way that the technology is progressing, we should expect ultra-effective solar panels to be on the market during the coming years.

The choice of solar equipment can be astounding but there are a number of companies offering a great deal on the installation of this technology.  Some companies offer free solar installation and the use of the electricity generated is also free of charge.  The make a return on their investment by keeping the rights to the income from the feed in tariff.

Solar Technology Regulations & Guarantees

There are different planning permission rules for roof mounted and free standing solar PV and Solar Thermal panels throughout the UK – always remember to consult a professional solar installation company before committing to a solar technology project on your home.

Wales & Northern Ireland – currently there is not any specific legislation in regard to the installation of Solar PV and solar thermal panels for private use. All the documentation found online at the current time strongly urges homeowners to consult directly with their local authority regarding planning permission before they have anything installed.

Scotland – there are additional planning permission rules which need to be adhered to, including one condition that Solar PV and solar thermal panels must be removed when no longer in use.

For maximum efficiency solar panels are usually installed on a south-facing roof and where there are no obvious obstructions to sunlight such as taller building in front of yours and large trees that could block the sun’s rays from reaching the panels. A general rule of thumb is that the panels must never be higher that any chimney. It is not advisable to try this on your own, use an accredited solar installation company. You should also insist on an Insurance Backed Guarantee to protect your financial investment in the project.