While the air can range from scorching hot to freezing cold, the earth maintains a steady temperature that has increasing applications as a renewable and highly earth friendly power source. Geothermal heat pumps can be used to regulate building temperatures and in some cases, even provide piping hot water- with next to no environmental impact. Although the technology has been available since the 1940’s, in recent years small and easy to install models are making the ground’s natural energy more accessible than ever.

Manufactured by ClimateMaster, the Tranquility 27 is one of the most eco-friendly models on the market. Exceptionally efficient, this refrigerator-sized geothermal pump uses the stable temperature of groundwater to redistribute your home’s heat, providing cooling air in summer and effective cold weather heating, depending on your needs. Considered the highest-efficiency water-source heat pump commercially available, the Tranquility also uses “zero-ozone depletion” refrigerant, making this an excellent choice for earth-conscious island owners. More information on geothermal power and ClimateMaster products is available here: http://www.climatemaster.com/

Those with an interest in environmentally-conscious living will already be familiar with solar electricity, but a surprising range of useful products are also powered by the sun’s natural energy.  The market has seen an explosion of solar-powered gadgets and tools designed to provide the ultimate in off-the-grid convenience with low impact on the environment. Here are a few unique inventions that will help you take the comforts of civilization to even the remotest island.

Enjoy your favourite music on your island without the hassle of batteries. Sundance Solar offers a range of sun-powered radios, from stand-up units to hiking-friendly armbands and headsets. Not only do these products come in solar-powered designs, but there are even hand-cranked versions for stormy weather: Read more »

Leave it to Switzerland to come up with an ultra-efficient means of independently producing clean energy and enough drinking water for 6,000 people in Africa- per day.

Developed and patented by Ardeo AG in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the Mobile Cube is a modular power and water plant. Producing zero emissions and compact enough to be set up within an hour, the Mobile Cube combines solar and wind energy, requiring no fuel and incurring minimal maintenance costs. Read more »

Alternative modes of energy production have been slow to catch on for some, largely due to the perceived expense. What would you say, though, if you were told you could save anywhere between US$500-800 per year in electricity costs, just by having a windmill on your property?

Introducing the SkyStream 3.7, a new evolution in Residential Power Appliance (RPA) technology. Developed by Southwest Windpower in Flagstaff, Arizona and available in North American grid, marine and battery charging versions, the SkyStream 3.7 is a lightweight, fully integrated power generation system capable of efficiently providing 40-90% of your home’s energy requirements. The towers come in a variety of heights ranging from 34 feet to 70 feet, with broad rotors 12 feet in diameter. Notably, SkyStream is the first of its kind, so well-designed that it can produce usable energy even with very low prevailing winds. On a private island, where winds are likely to be significantly accelerated due to offshore conditions, something like this on your property could be the only source of energy you’ll ever need- an expense that can pay for itself in less than four years. Read more »

When most people think of geothermal energy they think of massive magma eruptions, or superheated geysers erupting from the earth. Few people realize that natural heat energy created by the Earth’s core has enormous potential to be tapped for human consumption. More importantly, this form of energy is environmentally friendly and can be generated in your own backyard.

One does not need to take a journey to the center of the Earth to get this energy. At about 30 feet into the Earths surface the temperature stays relatively constant. Geothermal heat pumps work by carrying heat from one place to another. In warm locations such as tropical islands heat pumps can transfer heat from the home down into the ground thus cooling the environment much like a refrigerator. In cold locations such as northern islands, heat pumps can transfer heat from the ground into a building. Thus through this simple system you can produce ambient air that warms or cools your home depending on the location of your island.

Read more »