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Generate green cash from your home! Fed up with high energy bills? If you are planning a renovation or a new-build, why not use the opportunity to install electricity-generating technology as part of the project. You can use sun, wind or heat from the air or ground to create power for your home and to heat water. Insulate before you generate! Don't forget that before installing any home energy-generation technologies, make sure your home is fully insulated and your lighting and appliances are as energy efficient as possible, to keep your energy usage down. Some energy-generating options to consider: These generate electricity: Solar Photo Voltaic - This system converts sunlight into electricity using roof or wall-mounted photovoltaic cells. Wind turbine - Roof or pole-mounted turbines convert wind energy into electricity. These heat water: Solar water heating panels - Solar water heating systems use roof-mounted panels to harness the sun's heat to warm up water. Ground source heat pumps - Pipes buried in the garden extract heat from the ground to warm water. Air source heat pumps - This system absorbs heat from the outside air to warm up water. These options can reduce your energy bills and, with the electricity-generating technologies, can even make you money if you sell the power you generate back to the National Grid via your energy supplier. Although the initial installation costs can be high, from next April the government is proposing to introduce a range of incentives including significant increases to the amount of money you can receive if you generate your own energy. For details of the most appropriate projects for your home, as well as costs, current and proposed savings, visit www.energysavingtrust/generate-your-own-energy. Find a decent builder! Always talk through your ideas with a reputable builder, such as a member of the FMB. Find one at www.fmb.org.uk/findabuilder or by calling freephone 0800 152 522. * Some of the imagery used, courtesy of the Energy Saving Trust and Redland. Win the chance to generate the energy to stay powered up! Ever run out of power when talking on your mobile or listening to your Ipod? Make sure your electronic gadgets stay charged up, using this cool portable solar-powered battery, courtesy of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). » Click here to enter Competition closes: 30th November 2009. Savings at a glance (courtesy of the Energy Saving Trust) Technology Cost to install Annual Saving Proposed savings under new proposals Solar electricity system Between £8,000 and £14,000 Can save 1 tonne of CO² and around £200 in electricity bills. Savings would increase to around £650. Wind turbine A 2.5kw pole-mounted turbine would cost around £12,000 Reduces electricity bills by around £380 per year Savings would increase to around £1,000 Solar water heating panels Between £3,000 to £5,000 Can provide about a third of your hot water needs, reducing your water heating bill by between £50 - £85 per year and CO² emissions by 580kg Under new proposals, a ‘renewable heat incentive’ would see cash bonuses available for those generating their own heating. Ground source heat pumps Between £7,000 to £13,000 Could save up to 540kg of CO² and £160 in heating costs 'Renewable heat incentive' cash bonus available Air source heat pumps Between £5,000 - £9,000. Can save up to 5 tonnes of CO² and £700 per year. 'Renewable heat incentive' cash bonus available The Essential Guide to Home Improvement is packed with ideas. The Essential Guide offers plenty of ways to save energy and money, as well as suggestions for different types of home improvement. There are inspirational examples of beautiful homes and practical tips from industry experts on a variety of building projects. Download the Guide from www.fmb.org.uk/guide. Harrogate - Harrogate International Centre 6-8 November 2009 Somerset - Bath & West Showground 21-22 November 2009 National - NEC Birmingham - 18-21 March 2010 Scotland - SECC Glasgow 15-16 May 2010 » Please feel free to forward this email to a friend Please Note: You can unsubscribe from this email any time by clicking the link below.