Archive for April, 2008

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This Solio Universal solar charger is a perfect way to keep your cell phone charged in your car. It comes with a suction cup you attach to your windshield to let the solar charger power up with the sun. Once fully charged, the Solio Universal solar charger can recharge a typical cell phone twice. Here are the key features and specifications:

Solio Universal Solar Charger's Features

• High capacity internal battery stores energy for up to a year
• Adapter Tip System reduces waste and increases compatibility
• Rechargeable from the wall or the sun
• One hour of sun = 15 mins talk time or 40 mins of MP3 music
• Durable and weather resistant
• Elegant, ergonomic design
• Light weight and easy to use
• One Year Warranty

Solio Universal Solar Charger's Specifications

• Rated output: 4-12V, 0-1A
• Solar panel output: 155mA @ 6V
• Internal battery: rechargeable 3.6V, 1600mAh Lithium Ion
• Dimensions (L x H x W): 4.7 x 1.3 x 2.5in./11.94 x 3.30 x 6.35cm
• Weight: 5.6oz/156g
• Temperature Range: -4°F to 131°F,-20°C to 55°C

It comes in several different colors and is available from Amazon starting at $72

Isolé IDP-3050 Power Strip with Personal Sensor shuts six of its eight plugs off when nobody is around. The personal sensor connects to the eight-outlet power strip with the attached cable. The IDP-3050 automatically turns all controlled devices on when the workspace is occupied, and off when the workspace has been unoccupied for the user-defined time delay. The two uncontrolled plugs remain on regardless of occupancy.

I'd use the uncontrolled plugs for my computer, but the IDP-3050 would be great for controlling task lighting, computer monitors, space heaters, fans and other equipment that can be turned off during unoccupied periods. And the IDP-3050 comes with the features you'd expect in a power strip, including surge suppression that protects connected equipment against threats like power surges, lightning strikes and voltage spikes. It features a resettable circuit breaker and two LEDs that indicate that the outlet is wired and grounded properly and the surge protection is functioning.

Here are the specifications:

Power Strip:

• Electrical rating: 120VAC, 12A, 50/60 Hz
• 12A dry contact relay
• Six-foot black cord
• Transformer provides power to sensor
• Mounts with screws or doubl-sided tape
• UL 1449 rating; 400V
• Circuit: High-energy, multistage hybrid
• Noise filtration 0-25db (94.38%)
• Joule rating: 740 joules
• Maximum surge amperage: 48,000 Amps
• Protection modes: 400V L-N, 400V L-G, 400V N-G
• Response time: instantaneous
• Let-through voltage: 140V
• Initial clamping voltage: 200V
• UL and CUL listed; five-year warranty

Personal Sensor:

• Nine-foot connector cable
• Supply voltage: 12 VDC
• UL and CUL listed; five-year warranty

Available form WattStopper for $90.

[Source: Oh Gizmo!]

The Brill Razorcut 38 is the newest reel mower model from Brill and is what some are calling the Mercedes of reel lawnmowers. I have vivid memories of using a push reel mower as it kid, and it was like trying push trying to push a mower encased in concrete. It would have been easier to use a pair of scissors. Technology, however, has come a long way.

Brill Razorcut 38 push reel mower features

The Brill Razorcut 38 actually is serious consideration for the average size yard. It sports 5 Blades for great cutting and ease of pushing, and it weighs in at only 17 pounds. I'm pretty sure the one I used as a kid weighed at least 700 pounds. With the Brill, you can pick it up and even hang it on a wall in the garage. The mower is silent, thanks in large part to the fact that the blade misses the bedknife by less than a millimeter. This makes the mower easier to push and increases blade life. And best of all, it never runs out of gas (unless you do).

Brill mowers feature a 2 year manufacturer's warranty and are available at Amazon from $249

A new air purifier by Paralda will be available this July 2008. It promises to generate the "cleanest air possible" with true HEPA filtration, a long life UV lamp for bacterial control and programmable controls. The air purifier is RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant (ie no lead, safe for environment), Energy Star qualified, and ozone safe. Here are the key features and specifications from the manufacturer:

Key Features

• Energy Star qualified
• RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances – lead free directive) compliant
• Ozone Safe
• Translucent outer core with 2 color choices on inner core: white, bamboo green
• HEPA Filter – recognized as best filtration technology
• Long lasting UV lamp (3-5 years)
• Ionizer – complements HEPA filter to improve filtration performance
• Air vents hidden on sides and back so you do not see them on front or top like other models
• Air flow pulls in air from the back and circulates out two sides to improve air flow
• Cable management system – allows you to wrap cord within Paralda to minimize cord length
• Programmable – clock feature that lets you program fan speed changes throughout the day
• Light touch activation controls
• Filter replacement indicator – lets you know when it is time to replace the HEPA filter
• Small footprint – takes up little floor space
• Quiet air flow design with 4 fan speeds

Specifications

• Power Consumption Cooling: 55W
• Power Supply: 115V / 60Hz
• Controls: Electronic with light touch activation
• Room Size: For use in bedrooms, family rooms, offices - Best performance up to 400 sq.ft.
• Clock: Yes
• Timer: 24 hour programmable
• Dimensions: 8"W x 11"D x 28"H
• Weight: 17 lbs
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Fan Speeds: 4
• HEPA filter efficiency: 99.97%
• HEPA filter life: 6-9 months continuous use
• UV lamp life: 3-5 years

Imagine projecting a movie from your cell phone onto a 6-foot wide screen on the wall. Or imagine using a handheld device the size of an iPod to project a presentation onto a screen at your next business meeting. In the next few months Pico Projectors, bite size projectors that can be put into just about anything, will be a reality.

Microvision is leading the pack in the development of these tiny projectors. Last week it displayed its technology at the CTIA Wireless industry show in Las Vegas. Here's how one reporter described a demonstration of the technology:

It's about the size of two full-size iPods, but by the time it goes on sale later this year, it should be about 30 per cent smaller, said Russell Hannigan, the company's director of projector product management.

In a darkened room, the prototype beamed out surprisingly bright, crisp and large video from a connected iPod Nano: With the projector held 6 feet away from the wall, the image measured 6 feet diagonally and was as sharp as a DVD.

On the brightly lit showroom floor, the image was less impressive, but projected on a piece of paper held a foot away, it still made for a nice alternative to the iPod Nano's screen, which is slightly larger than a stamp.

And pico projectors are truly an energy efficient product. According to Microvision, it's highly energy-efficient and allows the company to dispense with the fans and vents that standard projectors have.

The potential application of pico projectors in the home, office, and stores is almost limitless. If DVD quality is real, your next TV may just fit in your pocket.

It seems every where you turn companies are trying to convince you that they are greener than the competition. Now even banks are getting into the green movement, at least in Canada. TD Canada Trust has recently launched the green mortgage or home equity line of credit. Green mortgages reward the eco-conscious for making energy-efficient home purchases or upgrades to existing houses. TD’s deal offers:

• a rate discount of one per cent off the posted interest rate on a five-year, fixed-rate mortgage or line of credit.
• a cash rebate of up to one per cent of the mortgage or fixed-rate portion of the line of credit when you load up on energy-saving appliances.
• a $100 donation to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

TD is not the first bank to go green. Citizens Bank of Canada launched a green mortgage last year that included more flexible payment options and a $10,000 line of credit at prime for energy-efficient upgrades. Bonuses include a free energy audit, a $100 donation to the Conservation Council of Ontario and a blue box “gift basket” filled with hundreds of dollars of coupons for energy-efficient products.

So my question is this--when are green mortgages coming to America?

Here are the energy saving gadgets we’ve covered over the past week:

• Solar Powered Motion Activated Halogen Floodlight
• Backpacker’s Diary–A GPS System and Tablet PC Powered by the Sun
• HP Pavilion PC Earns Energy Star Rating
• Solar Powered Golf Bag [Warning: it will not power your swing]
• Broan Introduces First Range Hood with Energy Star Rating
• Look Behind Walls with the Ridgid SeeSnake Micro Inspection Camera [Cool!]
• Dr. Scholl’s Renew Exercise Sandals, an Eco-friendly way to walk
• GE Hybrid and Tankless Water Heaters
• Mini Vacuum Cleaner with “Eco-Switch” [Morphy Richards]

The GlobeTrotter Kit is the ultimate in solar powered charges for people on the go. It includes the Freeloader, which we've showcased on Energy Saving Gadgets before, and it includes the Supercharger, which is a great way to charge the Freeloader while your hiking or biking (see pictures below).

Freeloader is a portable charging system that can power any hand held device anywhere, anytime. Freeloader takes power from its solar panels, the supplied Supercharger or via its charge cable that plugs into a computers’ USB. Once charged, Freeloader’s internal battery can power an iPod for 18 hours, a mobile phone for 44 hours, PSP for 2.5 hours a PDA for 22 hours and much much more. According to Solar Technology, the maker of the Freeloader and GlobeTrotter Kit, the Freeloader has had its "electronics re-configured to make it compatible with the new iPhone, iTouch, iPod Classic and all earlier iPods. The kit also now comes with an adaptor to power most iPod applications."

Sometimes big things come in small packages. And when it comes to vacuum cleaners, the smaller the better, particularly if you have to lug them up and down stairs. The Morphy Richards Mini Vacuum Cleaner may be just the ticket. And this little guy comes with an "Eco-Switch," which allows you to turn down the power when cleaning more delicate fabrics and upholstery, or if your job just doesn't require full power. The Eco-Switch can save money by burning through less energy.

Here are some details from the manufacturer:

Dust bag condition indicator: When the dust bag is full the light comes on to indicate it needs changing.

Eco Switch: The power on this vac can be turned down when cleaning more delicate fabrics and upholstery. This in turn reduces running costs and saves energy.

Foot controlled cable re-wind: Simply press down on the button with your foot and the cord automatically rewinds into the machine for quick, convenient storage.

On-board tool storage: All tools are conveniently stored on the product for easy access and use Tube park. When not in use, the hose can be stored on the back of the product for quick access and convenience.

Source: OhGizmo!

In case you missed it, there was some big news this week in the world of water heaters. On Tuesday, the Department of Energy announced Energy Star criteria for water heaters. The DOE estimates that in five years the new standard will save Americans approximately $780 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 billion kilowatt-hours and 270 million therms of natural gas. You can check out the details of the new standard in this DOE press release.

GE Electric Hybrid Water Heaters

In anticipation of the new standard, GE is introducing two new water heater technologies. The first is an electric hybrid water heater that is designed to absorb heat in ambient air and transfer it into the water. As GE explains, "since it requires much less energy to absorb and transfer heat than it does to generate it – as a standard electric water heater would – the GE Hybrid Electric Water Heater provides the same amount of hot water while using less energy."

GE Tankless Gas Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are nothing new. They heat water as needed, so there's no need to consume energy keeping a tank full of water hot. It also means you never run out of hot water, even with teenagers in the house. GE estimates that a tankless gas water heater will save consumers 25% annually in water heating costs. Available May 1, 2008, the GE Tankless Gas Water Heater will be offered in two sizes (7.5-gallon-per-minute flow and 9.4 gallon-per-minute flow), indoor and outdoor. The 7.5-gallon-per-minute flow will be available for natural gas; the 9.4-gallon-per-minute flow will be available for natural gas or LP gas.

You can find a large selection of tankless water heaters at Amazon.