Joanne
Wind turbines blow away utility bills
A North Wales businessman who built a 21st century house to obliterate his utility bills has moved a step closer with the erection of three wind turbines in a field near his Flintshire home.
The 8 metre high structures don’t require planning permission and make no noise.
Russell White has nearly completed his home on a former six acre farm near Northop. When complete he says it will be totally self sufficient, generating all the energy and water he needs.
The property has achieved the maximum level 6 of sustainability according to the Code for Sustainable Homes.
He said: “I am passionate about saving energy, so much so, that when the dream of building my own home became a reality, I built a zero-carbon home.”
Mr White said his green venture will earn him thousands from utility companies.
Once the wind turbines are up and running and the well connected for running water, he expects to make up to five thousand pounds a year.
“Like everyone else, I was aware that my fuel bills were increasing. I was also aware that renewable energy was available but it was not clear how to get the best from it. Following extensive research into the different sources of renewable energy available I have developed a portfolio of products. These products are also an integral part of my zero-carbon eco friendly home,” said Russell.
There are also solar panels on the property so it is generating its own electricity and the rainwater from gutters is also stored for use. The family also has solar hot water.
Mr White, the managing director of eco renewable company Allbrite added: “We do log burners and biomass which link to the solar and we can heat the house and also top up the hot water in the winter so you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.”
Domestic wind turbines are a superb way of generating electricity from wind and they are eligible for the government renewable energy feed in tariff scheme. Homeowners can expect a fast return on investment. They are also very environmentally friendly, and a low cost source of sustainable energy.
You can expect a return on your investment from your domestic wind turbine within 10 years, over its lifetime it will pay for itself many times over.
Russell feels it’s important he has the products in his house which he sells at Allbrite to prove their green credentials.
The house cost 30 per cent less to build than a standard house its size and Russell believes this is a house for the future.
He said: “The future isn’t gas and oil it’s about renewables and it’s never one product it’s an integration of different products to fit your lifestyle. I passionately believe I’ve got it right.”
The future’s Allbrite and Green for Liverpool firm
A north Wales based eco renewable firm’s helped a Liverpool business go greener, just in time for Green Office Week.
Box Studios lets office space, meeting facilities and storage units in Liverpool. They’ve recently spent £60,000 with Flintshire company AllbriteUK Ltd on “going green”.
They’ve erected 52 solar panels across the roof, a biomass boiler and a water recycling unit in a ground floor brewery. They expect the facilities to pay for themselves within 7 years.
Now in its fourth year, Green Office Week is a national initiative aimed at addressing green issues in the workplace. It runs from 14th-18th May.
The scheme aims to encourage workplaces to think about the environment. Organisers of Green Office Week said: “Whether it’s to introduce a new policy, start recycling, reduce your carbon footprint or buy eco products, there will be a small change you can make”.
Liz Rothwell from Box Studios said they want to make their offices state-of-the-art and help protect the environment.
“We wanted to be greener and the government incentive was running at the time and the landlords here are keen for us to go green. We had a blank canvas to do what we wanted.”
The 31-year-old mother-of-one said Allbrite had helped them every step of the way and the company’s boss, Russell White has visited the site on a number of occasions.
“They’ve been fantastic,” she said.
Ms Rothwell said there were a number of reasons why they decided to make the changes: “It’s very important for our business. It’s more economical and it’s better for the environment.
It’s a good selling point and people are fascinated. Plus, the changes will save us money in the long run,” she added.
For Box Studios, their relationship with “going green” isn’t over and they’ve pledged to look at other areas of the business in the future.
Russell White, Director of Allbrite said he fully supports initiatives such as Green Office Week.
“If it helps people think about the environment and make positive changes to their homes and workplaces then it’s got to be a good thing,” he said.
Allbrite’s customers smiling brightly
Wednesday 9th May is Pass On A Smile Day in a Flintshire market town.
Shoppers in Mold, which is where eco renewable company Allbrite is based, will be greeted by smiling shopkeepers and handed smiley stickers to put a spring in their step for the day.
Local schoolchildren will parade through the town before hanging “smiley” pictures in the local park for visitors to see.
Organisers have planned the event to encourage people to shop in Mold and see what a welcoming town it is.
Here at Allbrite, we couldn’t agree more!
PM still keen on Green Deal
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has renwewed his support for green energy.
Speaking at the Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in London, Mr Cameron said he believed renewables could be one of the cheapest forms of energy within years.
However he’s called for continued research into the industry.
The BBC reported that he said he was sticking to his vow to lead the “greenest government ever”.
However a recent opinion poll showed that only 2% of Britons believed the government deserved that title.
Mr Cameron believes the UK was now “one of the best places in the world” for green investment and green jobs, with the City of London “number one” for investors in low-carbon energy.
However, it has not been plain sailing for the Prime Minister. Chancellor George Osborne faced criticism for announcing £3bn of new tax breaks for offshore fossil fuel extraction in his March Budget.
U.S. in a spin over damaged turbine
A damaged wind turbine is causing a storm in the United States.
Officials are investigating what has caused the wind turbine in Ohio to break apart.
The local news team got calls from worried residents who had found what appeared to be debris from a wind turbine’s blade in a field.
Officials have said only one of the 55 wind turbines has been damaged.
Earlier this year one of the UK’s largest windfarms was switched off after one its turbines was damaged.
A full investigation was carried out into the Powys site.
However, damage to wind turbines is a rare occurrence.