Device mimics leeches, ejects plug when gadget is done charging
February 22, 2010
Print This Post
Energy vampires: Is it worth it to unplug your electronics?
February 8, 2010
(Photo: Getty Images)
- 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!
October 29, 2008
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
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Hugg]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/hugg.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Email]](http://www.getwithgreen.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Print This Post
Scary Energy Bills? Rid yourself of vampire power in 2009
October 27, 2008
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?
September 10, 2008
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
August 26, 2008
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:
- 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
July 23, 2008
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
June 26, 2008
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
May 14, 2008
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?
May 4, 2008
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
