Low-energy light bulbs are known to cause a number of issues. The latest problem is that they can cause your television to change channels.

Infra-red light from modern fluorescent bulbs can be ‘mistaken’ by electrical equipment as commands from a remote and therefore items such as TVs may change channels.

Traditional light bulbs also produce infra-red however they do not flicker like energy-saving light bulbs therefore they tend not to interfere with electrical equipment.

Naturally, the easiest solution is to move either the electrical item or offending light-bulb. However moving equipment isn’t always practical and if you are deliberately trying to minimise your energy usage or up your environmental credentials, moving away from energy-saving lightbulbs is not ideal.  Read more... (123 words, 1 image, estimated 30 secs reading time)

German’s are normally known for their green credentials however ahead of next week’s EU ban on traditional lightbulbs, it appears that many Germans are buying up huge numbers of the old lightbulbs to stockpile them.

Sales of the traditional incandescent lightbulb are said to be up by 34 percent in the first six months of 2009, compared to a drop in the numbers being bought in most other European countries.

The EU is banning all pearl or frosted traditional bulbs and clear 100 watt lightbulbs as part of a CO2-emissions reduction drive. Stocks of the incandescent lightbulbs are expected to run out next month in most stores, with homeowners then forced to buy the new energy-saving bulbs instead.  Read more... (164 words, estimated 39 secs reading time)

The Energy Saving Trust have released their results of their domestic wind turbine survey. The results showed that domestic wind turbines can be good for energy production however their use depends on their location.

The trial was launched in January 2007 and surveyed 57 UK-based domestic wind turbines for at least 12 months. The results of the trial show that anyone considering installing a wind turbine should research local wind speed carefully to establish whether a domestic wind turbine is suitable for their location.  Read more... (207 words, estimated 50 secs reading time)

NASA scientists have created a mini allotment which allows people with even the smallest of apartments to grow their own food. The allotments work by using tiny jets to spray nutrients onto the roots of the plants – so soil isn’t required. The system also means that the plants grow quicker than normal.

There are two size of mini allotment on sale – the smaller measures 6 inches tall, 8 inches long and 2 inches wide and is designed for fruit, herbs and flowers. The larger mini allotment is suitable for plants which require larger growing areas such as potatoes.  Read more... (206 words, estimated 49 secs reading time)

BBC presenter Jonathan Dimbleby has been given permission to erect a 50 ft wind turbine in his Devon garden. Dimbleby’s neighbours are not impressed by the decision by South Hams Council and have written letters opposing the turbine.

The wind turbine will be visible from the surrounding countryside and houses. Campaigners have said that the turbine will be a blot on the landscape, with others deeming it a ‘monstrosity’.

Dimbleby has responded by saying that he feels the ‘anxiety’ over his wind turbine is misplaced and that he has carefully considered the best place for it to reduce its visual impact. Dimbleby has said that the wind turbin will be below the skyline and therefore won’t be in direct view of any of the neighbours.  Read more... (154 words, estimated 37 secs reading time)

British households look set to be hit with increased energy bills after a green White Paper was unveiled last week. The charges have been dubbed by some as ‘green stealth taxes’. The funds raised will be used to help tackle climate change by building alternative power generators such as wind turbines.

At present, the renewables part of power bills stands at around £55 on average. Subsidising renewable energy further could more than double this figure to as much as £120 per year by 2014. The UK Energy Research Centre has predicted by 2050, the renewable energy subsidy will cost the economy £17 billion a year – around £700 per household.  Read more... (277 words, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)

The UK government is considering charging households extra council tax and stamp duty if they refuse to make their properties greener.

Households who don’t want to install double glazing or insulation may be penalised according to the latest proposals drawn up by ministers. To encourage households to install the greener measures, a carrot and stick approach will be used by introducing ‘green mortgages’ where homeowners can apply for loans to spend on green equipment such as solar panels or new, more efficient boilers.

As yet there has been no official statement regarding the proposals and none is expected before the autumn.  Read more... (259 words, estimated 1:02 mins reading time)

A pilot biogas conversion power plant is being built in Manchester, England, with the hopes that it will be generating power for 5,000 homes in the next two years. If the project is successful, other plants are planned in the hope that sewage gas will help provide energy for thousands more homes.  Read more... (218 words, estimated 52 secs reading time)

Many people in cities have taken to paving over their front gardens so that they have somewhere safe to park their cars. Unfortunately replacing grass and plants with concrete can help cause flooding in urban areas as there is less area that can absorb rainfall during sudden rushes of water, even when there is a drainage system in the area.

And it isn’t just the flooding we should be concerned about – losing gardens to concrete also has an impact on the local wildlife, particularly birds and insects. The loss of greenery also helps contribute to the ‘urban heat island effect’ – a phenomenon where areas with lots of hard surfaces such as in towns and cities have a higher temperature than those with less hard surfaces.  Read more... (251 words, estimated 1:00 mins reading time)

Skyscraper farming appears to be becoming the latest green craze. The concept is not a new one however more architecture firms are turning to skyscraper farming and churning out new concepts.

There are plenty of variations on the theme, most of which revolve around vertical farming. This is, essentially, a larger scale vertical garden with plants growing on the outsides of buildings. Not only does this help with retain heat in the building in winter and help keep the building cool in summer, the vertical farm can also help produce food to feed the people in the building. The plants will also catch some rainfall thus helping to reduce the risk of flash floods.  Read more... (261 words, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)