Eco Solutions

The Environment is everyone’s concern

These days the environment is on everyone’s lips. Not only is it essential for the environment that we review how we live our lives but there are also many financial benefits from doing so.

We recommend people look at the following areas for their Overseas Property as a starting point – each of the areas below not only make a difference environmentally but also can make a significant saving on the running costs of your second home.

Air Conditioning Switches and Remotes

SWITCH - This is a simple switch that is attached to the power supply or the individual unit (where more than one unit is used in the property). It regulates the time to 30 minutes, 1 hour and to a maximum of 2 hour intervals. This avoids the unit being left on by mistake or being abused should the property be used for short or long term rentals.

The savings this simple unit can make run into the hundreds of euro, not only electricity during the year but also wear and tear and servicing of the units over time.

This unit requires professional fitting and should only be installed by a trained and qualified electrician. This type of unit can be fitted to any air conditioning unit and is also suitable for other high energy consuming items such as Jacuzzis. Contact us for more info and prices.

SENSOR REMOTE - This clever little device works on movement sensors and turns off the individual unit as and when the room is not being occupied. It again avoids unnecessary waste of the electricity, wear and tear of the unit and reduces servicing costs over time. Contact us for more info and prices.

This unit is about the size and shape of a smoke detector and can be installed very easily. There are some brands that this unit is not compatible with. Contact us for more info and prices.

Energy saving light bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs are fluorescent tubes bent into a shape to fit into an ordinary light fitting. They use much less power than an ordinary light bulb, and, although energy saving light bulbs can cost more, this is outweighed by the fact that they last much longer than traditional bulbs.

This means that they save you time and trouble in not having to replace bulbs every few months, as well as reducing your electricity bill.

The best places to fit energy saving light bulbs, if you are not fitting them everywhere all at once, are in rooms where the lights are used the most. In these rooms you can get your money back in a year or less.

Energy saving light bulbs can last 10 to 15 times longer than ordinary bulbs.

Solar Water Heaters

The term solar power is used to describe a number of methods of harnessing energy from the sun. There are two types of solar power, solar electric power which use photovoltaic cells to convert solar radiation into electricity, and solar thermal energy where the sun’s energy is used to heat water. Photovoltaic cells consist of one or two layers of a semi conducting material, usually silicon. When light shines on the cell it creates an electric field across the layers, causing electricity to flow. The greater the intensity of the light, the greater the flow of electricity. Solar thermal energy is a relatively simple process where water is pumped into solar panels and, as it passes through them, is heated and then stored in a tank ready for use. The water will stay hot for around 24 hours.

It is a misconception that solar panels only work with direct sunlight and solar power collectors can heat water on a very cloudy day. With many of our clients properties in the sunnier climes of the world these are all excellent options worth considering from an environmental point and financial on too. Contact us for more info on suppliers in your area.