The Guide To Efficient Living
A company called Ultra Motor has released a new electric bike called the A2B. This bike looks great – I like the functional, minimalist style. The A2B is designed for urban or suburban commutes. According to Ultra Motors, the A2B offers unassisted power on demand for up to 20 miles at a cruising speed of 20mph.… [Continue Reading]
This customized bike, the Biontague, is a powerful combination of a folding bike and a lithium-ion powered electric motor. It was created by Electric Cyclery in Laguna Beach, California. They built the Biontague by taking a Montague Swiss Bike LX folding mountain bike (we featured this bike previously here) and fitting it with a Bionx… [Continue Reading]
Summertime is almost here, but hot weather doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing power bills and nonstop air conditioning. We’ve compiled these tips to help you maximize your summer comfort and energy efficiency.
Foot pedal faucet controllers allow you to control a faucet hands-free. These devices are efficient and hygienic — they are commonly found in commercial kitchens and hospitals. I’m not sure why we don’t see them in more homes. You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be… [Continue Reading]
The Brelli is said to be world’s first biodegradable umbrella. Inspired by asian parasols, the Brelli’s handle and frame are crafted from bamboo (sustainably-harvested), and the canopy is made out of an innovative bioplastic. The canopy can be composted in conventional landfills – it has passed stringent tests certifying that it will fully biodegrade in… [Continue Reading]
If you boat, hike or are basically remote, these panels are the most portable way to produce electricity yet devised. The panel above, weighing 4.7 pounds, produces 32W of 12V power, and rolls up so you can pack it. They are extremely durable and can withstand rain or being stepped on. Best Price: $268.75 (AltEnergyStore)
Notes from Manufacturer: Recommended for drier climates. Works when humidity < 40% Features: Cut your cooling costs by up to 90% Low wattage cooling: from 20 to 150 watts This is a cooler that can run on 1 or 2 solar panels, or a car battery charger More environmentally friendly – no freon Cabinet is… [Continue Reading]
LED Lamps With Warm White Illumination: Koncept Z-Bar ($165) and i-Tower ($195) Pablo Designs LIM L Floor ($350) Cree XLamp XR-E Warm White LED Lantern ($25) The color temperature of light is measured in degrees Kelvin. Lower-temperature white LEDs (around 2,000-4,000 K) are warm (yellowish white) like incandescent bulbs. White LEDs with higher color temperatures… [Continue Reading]
Do rechargeable lithium-ion batteries exist in standard sizes like AA, AAA, C or D? They do, but they don’t operate at 1.2-1.5 Volts. According to Isidor Buchmann, author of Batteries in a Portable World: A Handbook on Rechargeable Batteries for Non-Engineers, this is due to safety concerns — people might try to charge them in chargers made… [Continue Reading]
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