Greener Technology
Coming soon...

No matter how much you cut back, your home will still need heating and lighting. But new technologies can help you live a more environmentally friendly life, cut your energy use - and save you money too. Here are several things coming over the next couple of years which will help you become greener.

Why not make your own electricity - and in a way that's sustainable, too? Install photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on your roof, and you could use the power of the sun to make electricity. PV panels work by converting sunlight into electricity. Plus, any electricity you don't use can be sold back to your electricity provider.

The panels themselves come in a range of shapes and colours, from grey solar tiles which look like roof tiles through to transparent cells which can be installed on conservatories. You need to have a roof or wall which faces south, and which isn't obscured by obstructions which block the light.

Larger panels can be quite heavy, so whatever you place them on will need to be sufficiently strong. A typical installation will require between seven and 15 square metres, and you may also need planning permission.

A one kilowatt peak system capable of providing around 25% of an average household's electricity is around £5,500, but once installed they require very little maintenance and, according to a survey by ipsos MORI, may even add value to your house if you wish to sell it in the future.

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