InCharge Battery Station

The Greener Gadgets Design Competition is on in anticipation of Greener Gadgets Conference to be held in New York City on February 25. You can make your voice heard by voting for the gadget you find more eco-friendly.

Consider, for instance, the BuLogics Smart Grid Home Controller. It’s billed as the world’s first smart grid-compatible wireless controller. By installing the Z-Wave HAN in your home, you can automatically shut down appliances and electronics that are not being used during peak electricity demand times. This occurs when your local utility grid sends a demand change request and allows you to reduce your monthly power costs. You can also monitor how much you’re using and saving using a wireless computer or cell phone. It’s a great way to really get a handle on when and how much energy you use in order to save power as much as possible.

Another option is the InCharge Battery Station by Pensa. We all know that using rechargeable batteries is not only cost-effective, it’s more environmentally-friendly than disposable batteries. But it can be a pain to plug in the charger and hook up the batteries. With the InCharge Battery Station, simply drop the batteries into the base—it automatically sorts them and begins charging. The LED light indicates the relative charge in each individual battery, holding charged batteries until you need them so that you always have batteries at the ready.

And if you want to produce your own power to charge your electronic devices, check out the RollerGen. As you cycle, the RollerGen will automatically charge two devices—cell phone, mp3 player, and so on—simultaneously. In fact, a 2-mile ride can charge a smartphone!

Or how about the Turbine Light? It’s a renewable energy harvesting device that doubles as a renewable energy system. As the wind turns the turbine, energy is created, which can be used to power the lighting at night. The wind is generated by weather or by passing vehicles.

So don’t miss out on your opportunity to vote for the greenest gadget (deadline February 25)!

RollerGen bicycle powering device

Turbine Light

Obama administration recently announced a new clean energy REDI program

The Obama administration announced a new program on December 14: The Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative (REDI), which will offer $350 million in funds to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies. As both a domestic and global initiative, some of the funds ($85 million) will go into a joint coffer (supported by other countries such as Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Netherlands, the UK, and France) to be used to develop and deploy clean energy tech around the world.

The program will operate in several industries, including advanced vehicles, bioenergy, building and industrial efficiencies, smart grid technologies, carbon capture, high-efficiency coal,  and of course, solar, wind, and marine energy. The official REDI website outlines the following programs that will receive this funding:

• The Solar and LED Energy Access Program will accelerate deployment of affordable solar home systems and LED lanterns to those without access to electricity.  This program will yield immediate economic and public health benefits by providing households with low-cost and quality-assured solar alternatives to expensive and polluting kerosene.
• The Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment Program will harness the market and convening power of MEF countries to improve efficiency for appliances traded throughout the world.  A number of MEF countries have implemented, or are exploring, incentive programs for energy-efficient appliances. Coordinating incentives, standards and labeling systems can create unprecedented economies of scale for these appliances.

• The Clean Energy Information Platform will establish an online platform for MEF countries to exchange technical resources, policy experience and the infrastructure to coordinate various activities in deploying clean energy technologies, and share this information with the world.

• The Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (S-REP), under the World Bank’s Strategic Climate Fund, will provide policy support and technical assistance to low-income countries developing national renewable energy strategies and underwrite additional capital costs associated with renewable energy investments.  Funding through Climate REDI will accelerate the launch of S-REP.

Further, it states that REDI will use the following tools to disseminate the new technologies:

1. Quality assurance to guard developing country consumers against sub-standard renewable energy products;
2. Minimum efficiency standards to remove the lowest efficiency appliances from the market;
3. Labeling to guide consumers to quality-assured and high-efficiency products;
4. Financing for scale up of early-stage low-carbon products, to bring down costs and remove barriers to deployment and to catalyze investment by the private sector;
5. Information sharing that enables all energy stakeholders to access state-of-the art information on technology and best practices.

New efficient appliances Via Flickr - redjar

There have been rumors of a new stimulus program being announced, and thankfully they’re now coming true. Much like the Cash for Clunkers bill that allowed Americans to trade in gas-guzzling vehicles for more fuel efficient ones, the new Cash for Caulkers program, as it has been dubbed, could make each home eligible for up to $12,000 in rebate money for improving efficiencies. The same bill will also provide funding for businesses working in the renewable energy and efficiency sectors.

With the total program expected to be in the range of about $10 billion, it would provide funds for homes that replace old heating and cooling systems, appliances, and insulation with new, more efficient options. Though the percentage that would be rebated has yet to be determined, some are speculating that it could be as much as 50%, allowing people to spend $24,000 in upgrades and then receive half of it back.

This is an excellent idea, not only because it can go a long way to reducing our dependency on fossil fuels, but also because it has the potential to significantly lower residential utility bills for those who participate in the program. Some estimate that the improvements could reduce home energy consumption by as much as 20%. Find out more at Yahoo Finance.

And on the subject of fossil fuels and energy efficiency, don’t forget to take action in support of strong climate action at this week’s Copenhagen talks. Be part of the green noise (COP15 was the biggest topic on Google today).

Saving power with better appliances Via Flickr - hitormissIncreasing insulation to save energy Via Flickr - Velo Steve

Electrical outlet Via Flickr - kalleboo

Americans waste an enormous amount of energy powering devices as they sit idle. Whether it’s the television or DVD player, cell phone chargers, appliances, or toys, this “phantom drain” on your energy bill could be adding significantly to your monthly electricity costs. In fact, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, vampire energy can account for as much as 5 to 10 percent of the average home’s electricity bill! Check out this fun graphic that illustrates where energy is most commonly wasted.

While unplugging unused electronics and appliances is perhaps the most simplistic way to avoid this kind of energy waste, it’s not the only method by far. Power strips are a more automated, convenient method of reducing your energy consumption, and they make great holiday gifts, too! Here are three great options for you to consider as you prepare to start shopping for those on your gift list:

Turn off unneeded energy-drains with the Belkin Conserve’s wall switch for the power strip. With eight always-on outlets and six that are controlled with the wall switch, you can customize which electronics and appliances get switched on and off with a flick of your finger.

The Isolé® IDP-3050 Plug Load Control has a unique, ultra-convenient feature: a motion detector that will switch electronics on when it senses someone in the room. And of course, it shuts them down when movement stops, too. Price: $90.

With a claim that it can pay for itself in as few as six weeks, the SmartStrip is a veteran in the intelligent power strip world. It can “sense” the flow of electrical current, turning off peripherals when they’re not in use. It also protects against power surges.

Belkin Conserve Energy Saving Surge Protector with Remote Switch

Isolé® IDP-3050 Plug Load Control

SmartStrip

Thermostat at 69 degrees Via Flickr - t-bet

It’s the beginning of November, and for many that means winter has arrived, and with it heating season. Keeping indoor temps at a comfortable level costs North Americans a great deal in terms of money and energy. In fact, the average American will spend nearly $2,000 every year for heating, whether that be with oil, gas, electricity, or wood stove. It all adds to our climate footprint as well, with heating being one of the biggest residential contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

But there are some very cost-effective (free!) things you can do to lower your heating bill and cut your carbon dioxide emissions. With just a few quick little environmentally-friendly seasonal changes to your heating system, you could help the country reduce its dependency on fossil fuels while saving energy, too.

Programmable Thermostat at 60 Degrees Via Flickr - Mr.Thomas

Lower your thermostat

Your thermostat is one of the most important tools you could use to lower your home’s energy impact. Learning how to maximize thermostat settings for efficiency is a great way to cut how much energy you use to heat your home.

Each season, you should readjust your thermostat settings. Now that it’s winter for many of us, it’s time to turn the setting down to 68°F or lower for those times when your home is occupied. It can go even lower when you’re asleep and when you’re not at home to further reduce your heating costs.

Make your job even easier by installing a programmable thermostat to do the work of adjusting for you. There are rebates for this simple upgrade for many states, and a programmable thermostat may just save you $150 every year on heating and cooling costs. Get more ideas from the Alliance to Save Energy.

Reverse Ceiling Fan in Winter Via Flickr - dane brian

Reverse your fan direction

Yes, it might seem counterproductive to run a fan in the middle of the winter, but a ceiling fan can actually help to reduce your heating costs. How? Well, if you reverse your fan’s rotation from counter-clockwise to clockwise, you’ll help to force warm air that’s trapped near the ceiling down to floor-level. This will ensure that your heated air is circulated more evenly, reducing the work your heating system has to do to keep you warm. It’s a low-free way to lower heating bills. Find out more at the Look Up Campaign.

Layer up

Yet another no-cost way to save on heating bills is the layering technique. What do we mean? Well, during the day, you can warm yourself up inexpensively by layering your clothing. As you get warmer, remove a layer or two. Likewise at night while you sleep—pile up the quilts to stay cozy at without raising the cost of heating. ENERGY STAR has even more ideas for how to heat and cool efficiently.

Electrical grid Via Flickr - Ian Muttoo

The smart grid, which is on its way to the US, promising huge energy savings for the country as a whole, and for individual consumers as well, has the potential to put control of energy use within the hands of the average person. In particular, the smart grid will help any energy user consume energy in low-demand periods, which will save them money and reduce the number of power plants required for the nation as a whole.

But in order to really take advantage of this new energy-efficiency technology, we’re going to need appliances that know how and when to consume energy, otherwise we won’t receive the full value of the grid at home. Today, there are several large manufacturers working on developing smart dishwashers, dryers, microwaves, and more that will save power and power plants.

Via Whirlpool

Whirlpool—a company that’s promised to make all of its appliances “smart” by 2015—finally seems to be putting some legs on its plans, announcing recently that they will be producing 1 million smart clothes dryers (one-quarter of its production) for sale by the end of 2011. For those with variable electricity pricing, Whirlpool believes this innovation could save the average consumer between $20 and $40 annually.

How does it work? The utility’s grid will automatically “tell” the dryer to power down during peak energy-use periods (immediately after normal work hours, for instance). Whirlpool estimates that if all million dryers were to go into standby mode during peak times, it could reduce energy demands equivalent to 6 coal power plants.

In a similar move, GE is in the process of putting plans for smart water heater production into place—technology that should reduce energy use by 50 percent compared to similar heat pumps. The good news is that these new, smarter appliances should not have price points much higher than a comparable ENERGY STAR product.

e-Cycler online recycling swap service

If you’ve got room in your recycling bin, you may just be able to rent out a portion of it to one of your neighbors or a family member—or whoever! Likewise, if your bin is threatening to overflow onto the lawn next door, or you’re lacking recycling pick-up altogether, you may want to find someone willing to take your recyclables away for you. With e-Cycler, a new online service, whether you’ve got extra room or are collecting extra recyclables, you’ll be able to swap, collect and recycle trash, while perhaps making a bit of extra dough for yourself. Everyone wins!

Curbside recycling Via Flickr - g_kat26

Here’s how it works. Regardless of whether you’re giving or taking recyclables, you simply start by registering as a member of the e-Cycler community. You next state whether you’ve got extra room or extra trash and then look for appropriate connections in your area (look for ones closer to your home or on a regular travel route to avoid adding additional greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere to transport your goods, of course).

The receiver/collector of the recyclables can then decide how they want to handle extra funds they receive as a result of recycling the extra goods. They can either decide to keep 100 percent of the profits for themselves, or if they like, they can opt to share the profits by sharing 40 percent of the profits with the giver and keeping 60 percent for themselves. It’s up to the collector ultimately.

Recycling drop-off Via Flickr - AGeekMom

Of course, because e-Cycler also want to make a bit of money, they are charging a small fee to collectors for every connection they make. It’s definitely a great system for helping to send trash in the right direction while saving power (making goods from recycled materials uses less energy than manufacturing with virgin materials), and as long as the connections don’t require enormous amounts of driving, it should have a positive net effect.

Guiding Light Mailbox

If you’ve been in the market for a way to light-up your home’s address markings, then you may just want to take a look at this new Guiding Light Mailbox. While having a lighted home address might seem a little over-the-top for many of us, as the company points out on their website, having an illuminated address sign on the exterior of your home may just help in emergencies. Should be awaiting the arrival of an ambulance, fire or police crew, having a lighted sign on the exterior of your home may just help them get to you a little faster. And now you can do it without using extra energy.

Produced by Sharpe Products, Inc, the Guiding Light Mailbox has several power-saving and eco-friendly features. First and foremost, it comes with its own miniature solar cell that collects energy from the sun all day long. Then, instead of using electricity or battery power to light up a sign with your home’s address, your Guiding Light Mailbox will guide people to your home using only the sun’s power.

And you don’t have to worry about not having enough sunlight to power your sign either. With only 4 hours of solar exposure, your address sign will have enough energy to shine for 4 days! Amazingly, the light can apparently be seen from about one-half of the length of a football field away, so that’s relatively powerful, too.

Another great green feature of this mailbox is that it is made to last a long time. Although not recycled, the saddle for the mailbox is tested to withstand scorching sun and wind, so it should function for a long time to come.  It will be available for about $79.99 starting on October 1, 2009.

Ever wondered how well those energy meters for tracking your home energy consumption work and which one is the best for your particular home? You don’t have to wonder anymore!

The UK’s Energy Saving Day organization has joined forces with BBC’s former head of comedy (Jon Plowman) to produce a relatively complete review of the most popular energy monitors (including ones like Home Joule, Kill-a-Watt and Wattson) on the market today, and it’s available via YouTube video for anyone to view (in two parts, first part above, second below).

In this somewhat light-hearted look at energy monitors, Plowman walks through a good number of devices available on the consumer market one by one. He talks through how each of them works—where they connect, what they measure, how the display functions, and more—and identifies for each one some of the pros and cons of choosing it. In particular, he talks about cost and granularity of detail, two important factors in any energy monitor purchase.

Regardless of which device you select for your home, you can be guaranteed that you’ll save power every month if you pay attention to the readings. That’s the understanding Energy Saving Day is operating under. They believe that households in the know about their energy use are households with the power to cut their energy consumption.

It’s no surprise, either. If you discover, all of the sudden, that your refrigerator is adding a big load to your energy consumption and do the math to find out how much you’d save with a more efficient model, you’re more likely to replace it with something more power-saving. Their website points out that an energy monitor can help homeowners reduce energy consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent annually.

LCD television via Flickr from - William Hook

ENERGY STAR has just finalized an update to the Specifications for Televisions in two versions (4.0 and 5.0) that will require new televisions meet new standards, including:

Challenging On Mode power consumption levels, take steps to ensure a TV is viewed in the mode in which it qualified for ENERGY STAR so consumer savings are realized, and curb energy associated with downloading program guide data.

The new 4.0 requirements will go into effect on May 1, 2010, whereas the 5.0 standards will take effect as of May 1, 2012. With nearly 275 million televisions in the US that consume over 50 billion kWh of electricity annually (nearly 4 percent of the average household energy bill), improvements in this area are much welcomed.

These changes will save the average consumer up to 65 percent because of improved efficiencies over current models on the market. Interesting to note:

After weighing carefully all input specific to the proposed 5.0 requirement, EPA has decided to proceed with a requirement that TVs greater than 50 inches in size meet the same On Mode requirements as a screen of 50 inches – 108 watts.

Old television via Flickr from - dailyinvention

Non-ENERGY STAR model televisions that are larger than 50 inches will, of course, be permitted to use more energy, but this gives the ENERGY STAR models a significant energy savings over other options that will become available.

Another great way to reduce your television-related energy consumption is to watch less TV! Shutting off the tube in favor of other recreational activities is a great way to save energy, reduce your electricity bill, and maybe enjoy the great outdoors!

Air conditioner Via Flickr - jeffk

Americans spend an enormous amount of money on cooling their homes every year. To be precise, air conditioners consume more energy than any other appliance in the average American home, accounting for about 16 percent of residential electricity use annually. Finding ways to reduce your cooling energy consumption is therefore a great way to cut energy bills and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, too.

Go AC Green’s Cool-N-Save can purportedly cut your air conditioning bill down by 30 percent and has been featured on sites like Treehugger and shows like Living with Ed. It works by adding mist to the air. Here’s how they describe the process:

Hot air from the condenser unit’s fan raises the flap on the patented Cool-n-Save™ control valve allowing water to flow to the misters that surround the AC unit. When the ultra-fine mist is released into the air, it evaporates almost instantly creating what is known as a “Flash Evaporation,” which literally sucks heat out of the air as water absorbs the energy it needs to evaporate. The result of the immediate evaporation constitutes a substantial drop in ambient temperature without wetness—up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

The patented system is supposed to install without tools in five minutes to virtually any regular home air conditioning system. The system can be purchased for about $100, although you may have to also purchase the Cool-N-Save Water Expansion Kit if you have a larger condenser (in excess of 3.5 tons) for an additional $15. Filters are also available to ensure there’s no build-up from hard water.

People are packing their backpacks to head off to school, and so it’s a good time to talk about how you can charge your gadgets and things using the power of the sun. Here’s a run-down of a few great options available from the solar world today.

Solio Charger

Portable Solar with Solio

A standard in any green backpack, the Solio Charger from Solio will charge devices anytime (there’s a battery on board for storing energy) from anywhere.  It’s small and versatile.

Cost: $50

Voltaic Systems Solar Backpack

Solar-powered anything with Volaic Systems Solar Backpack

A favorite with greens for many years, this Voltaic solar backpack can charge nearly any device (comes with 11 standard adaptors) as you walk to work or hike a mountain. There’s also a battery back that will store energy until you need it.

Cost: $249

NovoThink iphone-solar-skin

Sun-powered skin for the iPhone or iPod Touch by NovoThink

Available by the end of September, the NovoThink Solar Surge will make it a whole lot easier for iPhone or the iPod Touch owners to power-up their portables with solar. According to the literature, the Solar Surge will provide 30 minutes of talk time on 3G networks and 60 minutes on 2G networks with just 2 hours of charging in direct sunlight. The battery built into the skin will also hold 120 percent of the iPhone 3G’s capacity, too.

Cost: $70

Brunton SolarRolls

Roll-away solar charging is convenient, compact

The SolarRoll by Brunton is made to be packed pretty much anywhere—in your car, your backpack, or your briefcase—because it’s lightweight and compact. It’ll charge most hand-held devices and comes with three watt capacities for added flexibility.

Cost: $295-$480

SolarGorilla Laptop Charger

High Wattage with SolarGorilla Laptop Charger

From PowerTraveller comes the SolarGorilla, a portable solar charger that’s big on power. It’s compact, fold-up design is rugged and easy to use, and will power most devices, including laptops. Comes with many attachments for maximum usability.

Cost: $276

Starting today, Europeans will have a near impossible time finding incandescent light bulbs in the local grocery, drug store, or home improvement store. That’s because today is the day the European Union put their incandescent light bulb ban into action. Although retailers are permitted to sell what remaining incandescent bulbs they have in stock until they’re all gone, they are no longer to purchase incandescents to put on sale in their stores. read more +