by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The eco message is heard and seen loud and clear at the 2011 Ideal Home Show.
Starting at the various show homes, such as the Coronation Street eco refit replica, the Prince's House and others.
At the Coronation Street “set” what really got my interest were the tiles from Eco Friendly Tiles that, apparently, absorb CO2 and convert it by means of both daylight and artificial light through the process of photocatalysis (difficult word, isn't it) into oxygen. The tiles are made with or coated with titanium dioxide which, when exposed to light reacts and aside from the afore mentioned property of negating CO2 it also kills organisms and bacteria.
In the Prince's House the greatest interest for me was the use of reclaimed materials for furnishings and the use of old furniture that has been somewhat restored and recycled. Also most interesting were some of the reclaimed materials that were turned into art displays.
The Eco Float floating eco house also made for a most interesting visit and seeing the great use made of real hardwood for flooring and other applications plus the various green solutions employed was rather good. This house, whether parked in body of water or on land will make a very interesting home that is both environmentally friendly and great to live in.
Solar panels, though we should really call them what they are, namely photovoltaic panels, were very much in evidence but I must say that I have been missing small wind generating devices. I saw no wind turbines in evidence whatsoever bar a vertical-axis one by the Home of the Future display of Virgin Media. No one, however, seemed to have any idea as to who that turbine was from and such.
A number of companies and organization s were in attendance that are trying to get people interested in saving energy and water in their homes by offering a variety of devices, such as remotely controlled socket strips, energy monitors, power saver plugs that work with mobile telephone chargers and so forth.
An number of companies are present at the show that offer furniture from reclaimed wood, and Raft Furniture and CF Designs. The former makes great furniture from reclaimed teak wood from a variety of sources, such as ships decking, and the latter had furniture made from old boats.
As I have said, the eco message is definitely in the forefront at his years Ideal Home Show, more so than, I think, in previous years, and this is something that can but be good for all of us and especially the Planet.
© 2011
