Device mimics leeches, ejects plug when gadget is done charging

Leeches drink blood until they're full and then fall off of their host, but our plugged-in gadgets keep drinking electricity even once they're fully charged.  The Outlet Regulator changes this by ejecting the plug from the electricity source once the gadget is done charging, turning vampire electronics into leeches. Designed by Conor Klein, a student at Rhode Island School of Design, this device solves a dilemma faced in every home.  We all want to prevent frivolous energy use by leaving gadgets plugged in too long, but it's almost impossible to unplug your devices at the exact point they're done charging.  The Outlet Regulator takes care of that for you as demonstrated in the video above. The product works by using a timer circuit and electromechanics to eject its plug which disconnects your device from the wall outlet, stopping electricity consumption. This is an example of a design where you think, "How has no one thought of this before?"  It's such an obvious solution and could easily be adopted by everyone.  Hopefully we'll see this product on shelves soon.  My only qualm is this:  Why must these things alway involve blood? via Engadget  Print This Post

Energy vampires: Is it worth it to unplug your electronics?

It's common knowledge that appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they're switched off but still plugged in. One solution is to unplug electronics and chargers when you aren't using them. Or you can plug cords into a power strip and switch it off whenever you want to cut off all power to appliances. But many consumers wonder if it's worth the hassle to unplug electronics they aren't using. The answer, of course, depends on your objectives. While it's true that an "informed and aggressive approach can reduce standby use by about 30 percent," according to scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, "There are more productive ways to save energy with an investment of an hour." The upshot? If it's easy for you to unplug chargers and other electronics when you aren't using them, then go for it. And no-one says you have to unplug everything. You might want to choose the biggest energy hogs or items that are easily unplugged. But don't fret if you find the job too tedious or hard to remember. The following actions are all easy and, in some cases, save you more money with much less effort than stamping out energy vampires. Pick and choose what works best for you from this list, or try everything for an estimated annual savings of $275.

• Activating the power-save function on your computer is a super-easy way to shave up to $90 a year off your utility bills. Exactly how much you save depends on whether you use a laptop or a CPU and a monitor and how long you currently leave your computer on for.Low power mode also helps equipment run cooler so it lasts longer. Get into the habit of turning off your monitor when you walk away for 20 minutes and your computer when you leave your desk for more than two hours, and you'll rack up even more savings.

• Reduce the Read more

 Print This Post

Knoll Systems gives your home music while using less power!

We brought your attention to the eco-friendly Knoll Systems GSZ67 whole house distributed music amplifier-controller a few months back.   Well if you are looking to have music delivered throughout your home as part of your remodel, and stay eco-friendly by reducing power consumption in the process, then you need to check out the new and even more affordable GSZ44!

The all new GSZ44 controller-amplifier (with keypads included) is just what you need if you want four separate areas of your home to have speakers and music flowing throughout.  With the GSZ44, your master retreat and master bath can be tuned to an Elton John CD, while outside the kids are playing in the yard to the sounds of High School Musical 3.   All the music coming from your single home stereo!  So you decide you’d rather tune to XM satellite, well just press the Source button on the keypad on your bedroom/bathroom wall.   Guests at parties can hear the same music throughout your home as they mingle.

For $999, the complete GSZ44 package enables whole house audio distribution in four separate areas of your home, and includes  Read more

 Print This Post

Scary Energy Bills? Rid yourself of vampire power in 2009

Is your energy bill scary? Slaying energy vampires during your remodel can help you and Americans save millions.

In the spirit of Halloween, the EPA today warns us all to be on the watch for lurking energy vampires – or vampire power. These are the electronics and adapters that consume electricity when they are not being used. Power adapters and phone chargers are easy vampires power suckers to spot, and also easy to slay. Every energy vampire you vanquish saves you money, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and helps in the fight against climate change.

“EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” said Brian McLean, director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Protection. “Using less energy means Read more

 Print This Post

Hitachi Energy Star plasma televisions, where do they rank?

Hitachi showed off their New Plasma HDTVs at the CEDIA Expo in Denver last week.

The new ENERGY STAR compliant plasma televisions from Hitachi are available in two screen sizes (42-inch and 50-inch).  GetWithGreen.com compared the operating power levels of the Hitachi 50-inch plasma to the models we discussed with you late last year.   The 50-inch models (P50A202 and P50A402) both rank right in the middle of the pack with the other ENERGY STAR plasma televisions.  

The A, S, V and X Series are available now. The Hitachi 2008 Plasma Display Panels are priced as follows. In all instances below, pricing indicated is the Manufacturer’s Advertised Price (MAP): 

• 42-inch A-Series (model P42A202): $1,399
  (Avg Power: 249W, Max Power: 386W)
• 50-inch A-Series (models P50A202/P50A402): $1,599 each
  (Avg Power: 288W, Max Power: 480W)
• 50-inch S-Series (model P50S602): $2,199
  (Avg Power: 388W, Max Power: 571W)
• 50-inch V-Series (model P50V702): $2,499
  Avg Power: 398W, Max Power: 586)
• 50-inch X-Series (model P50X902): $3,199
  Avg Power: 398, Max Power: 586W)

GetWithGreen.com commends Hitachi for making it easy for buyers to find plasma power consumption numbers in the Hitachi manuals.

The new Hitachi HDTVs feature high gloss Japan black and high gloss crystal frames with manual swivel stands or remote controlled power swivel stands. The new UltraBlack Panels boxed cell structure produces darker blacks and the new proprietary phosphor formulations deliver industry leading deep, rich colors say Hitachi.

The new PictureMaster(TM) VI digital video processor features the second generation of Hitachi’s Reel60(TM) technology, a patented innovation that, according to the manufacturer, eliminates “judder” for the ultimate in smooth, clear motion. The new HDTVs also debut a new feature for film enthusiasts called Cinema48(TM). Working with 24p HDMI inputs, Cinema48 provides viewers with the same visual timing and feeling that they experience in movie theaters.

 Print This Post

Your home network will need a Wireless Router, Linksys gets eco-friendly

Today Linksys (a division of Cisco) announced that they are jumping on the greener bandwagon with the delivery of eco-friendly packaging around their home networking gear, as well as ENERGY STAR compliance for some of their router products. 

Just about every one of us homeowners will put in a new network during our remodel.  On the list will likely be a wireless router.  As you are looking, look harder at those manufacturers who are doing just a bit more like this.  

So what is so “green” about the Linksys packaging:

1. Linksys has removed the “sleeve” (outer packaging that contains all the printing and information about the product).  Instead of having a “sleeve,” Linksys plans to print all the information on the box itself, eliminating the Read more

 Print This Post

AUDIO-VISUAL: Knoll Systems amplifier wins Electronic House

We covered the energy efficiency of the Knoll Systems multi-zone audio amplifiers earlier this year.  Just this week the company won Electronic House’s 2008 Product of the Year Award for the GSZ67 multi-room audio controller amplifier!  Congratulations!!

The GSZ67 is an amplifier that controls multiple speaker “zones” in your newly remodeled home.  The multi-room controller allows you to plug in 7 different audio sources (e.g. Sonus, iPod, Sirius, XM, Comcast, etc.) and play a different audio source in up to 6 different places in your home (or backyard). 

The significance of the GSZ67 is the innovative Knoll Systems Eco-System circuitry that, unlike other multi-zone amplifiers, dramatically reduces power consumption when zones in your home are not being used!   This reduction in energy usage, also contributes less to heat creation, further reducing your cooling needs.

If A/V is part of your remodel, take a look at the GSZ67.  We also hear there are some more great power saving audio innovations coming from Knoll at the CEDIA show in September!!

 Print This Post

AUDIO-VISUAL: Mitsubishi LaserVue television uses 50% less energy

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. has just announced additional details surrounding the performance and functionality of its LaserVue TV. With operating power targeted at under 200 watts, the LaserVue TVs are environmentally friendly, consuming approximately one-half the power of today’s LCD TVs, and one-third of plasma TVs.   If you read our past article on the most efficient 50″ plasma TVs then you’ll know that this is more than a 50% energy consumption savings for a large format television of this size – great news!

Mitsubishi says, LaserVue will be available in 65″ and 73″ models with the 65? Diamond shipping to authorized retailers in the third quarter of this year and the 73? Diamond to follow.  LaserVue will raise the bar for large screen television by delivering Read more

 Print This Post

AUDIO-VISUAL: Klipsch P-39F speakers take a green eco-friendly approach

Home audio manufacturer Klipsch, just announced their very high-end Palladium P-39F floorstanding speaker set.   While this speaker qualifies for the high-end remodeler budget ($20,000/pair), we wanted to bring it our audience because we like what Klipsch did with the wood paneling on this product — and we know their are homeowners out there that will purchase these! 

The company moved away from the use of zebrawoodveneer (considered a threatened species), often desired by high-end homeowner’s with home theaters, and replaced it with woods from government controlled harvests.  The team over at ecoustics.com discusses the move in detail, backed up by the recent Klipsch press release.   

 

 

 

 

.

 Print This Post

AUDIO-VISUAL: Which whole house audio amplifiers are most efficient?

As homeowners, many of us will use our home remodel as an opportunity to ?upgrade? our existing home audio and visual equipment such as televisions, amplifiers, satellite/cable box, DVD players, whole house audio, video games, etc. 

With these upgrades, you have an opportunity to reduce power consumption in your home ? making your home a greener home.  Further, if your new equipment is an addition to your power consumption, then there are products that are better choices than others relative to energy consumption. 

Today, we want to talk about the whole house audio category, and innovation which is occurring in the whole house audio market.  Whole house audio is sound that is piped to various locations in your home, and you hear it through speakers in your walls or ceiling.  You select a source (DVD, iPod, Pandora, XM Satellite) in the room you are occupying, your amplifier recognizes your selection, and then delivers the sound/music to your location. 

A key component of whole house audio system is a multi-channel amplifier.  Suppliers of multi-zone multi-channel amplifiers are company?s such as Read more

 Print This Post

Next Page »