Green Geek: Energy-Saving Strategies for Household Electronics

This is an article from, out of all places, NationalGrid, residential gas provider. I found it very informative on conserving energy and in the process saving money.

High-tech gadgetry is no longer the province of the dedicated few. With the revolution in consumer electronics, the geek population now numbers in the millions. The typical American household contains 24 electronic products, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. All of this comes at a cost however. Household electronics and office equipment are among the fastest growing sources of energy consumption in the United States, and used electronic products continue to fill landfills across the country. By focusing on energy conservation as well as recycling and reuse, electronics users can save on energy costs and reduce their impact on the environment.
Energy-Saving Measures

By following some simple conservation practices and purchasing energy-efficient equipment, you can save significantly on your electricity consumption.

* Turn off equipment when it is not in use. Contrary to popular belief, turning electronic products on and off will not wear them down more quickly. Leaving them on only wastes energy and costs you money.
* Do not rely on screen savers to save energy. There is a common misconception that computer screen savers lower energy use. They do not. To save energy, turn off monitors when not in use, or switch to sleep mode.
* Watch out for phantom loads. Many electronic devices (such as DVD players, TVs, computers, and stereos) continue to draw power when they are switched off. These phantom loads can be avoided by unplugging the device or using a power switch to cut all power when they are not in use.
* Put your computer to sleep. Activate power management features on all computers. These place computers into a low power sleep mode after a period of inactivity. By simply touching the keyboard or mouse, you can resume use in seconds. Sleep mode can help you save energy and money.
* Unplug battery chargers for electronic devices when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
* Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified computers and electronic equipment. An ENERGY STAR labeled computer uses 70% less electricity than other models.
* For your next computer upgrade, consider buying a laptop. They use much less energy than desktop computers.
* When purchasing a new television, consider choosing a model with a liquid-crystal display (LCD). A plasma TV uses more energy per year than a refrigerator.

Electronic Waste Disposal

Electronics contain heavy metals and other hazardous materials. When they reach the end of their useful life, it is important to dispose of them properly. Recycling or donating electronics products extends the life of the materials and keeps them out of the waste stream.

* Recycling. Many counties and municipalities have recycling drop-off centers or hold hazardous waste collections or special events. Public and private organizations have emerged that accept computers and other electronics for recycling. Manufacturers and electronics retailers also accept old products for recycling.
* Donating. Contact local schools or charitable organizations about donating your old computers or electronic equipment that is still functional. This can help to support local educational initiatives and provide access to electronic equipment to those who cannot otherwise afford it.

http://www.myenergytips.com/Article.aspx?articleID=481&userID=4122880

The Newest Home Electronics and the Latest Travel Gadgets of 2010

A great article by Ed Jackson about some cool gadgets that are either in the works or available in 2010 for entertainment at home and on the go http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Jackson

White is the color of life

This one is not about a gadget, its a thought that came across last weekend:

White is the color of life

This makes a lot of sense. Some might have known about this before, though for me today was the big discovery. We were white colors on warmer days. Those are also the days when a lot of things in nature bloom or come alive.

White it the color of snow. When it covers the ground in areas where there is usually no snow at other times, it brightens up the atmosphere around it. In the winter time when skies look gloomy with clouds, snowfall clears it up creating a better view and also a better mood. (unless of course you live in a large city where the snow turns dark and dirty with traffic, though still looks great in the first few minutes)

White color represents cleanliness. And also purity. It is the color worn during great occasion quite a few of them that are life changing.

In ancient Egypt, the color white (hedj and shesep) suggested omnipotence and purity. Due to its lack of color white was also the color of simple and sacred things. The name of the holy city of Memphis meant "White Walls." White sandals were worn at holy ceremonies. White was also the heraldic color of Upper Egypt. The "Nefer", the crown of Upper Egypt was white, even though originally it was made of green reeds.

In the movie Bruce Almighty, the producers chose white color to represent the higher power in all white. There is also the White House. The residence for the most powerful president in the world. And though I mentioned this post is not particularly about a gadget, interesting enough products made by Apple for the most part have started in color white. They look clean new and sparkling. Wonder why they decided to go with that color in particular. If anyone has other ideas or knows more of the answers to this please comment.

Take a comfortable seat

      I have been meaning to get one of these for myself for quite awhile now. The rare time I usually remember about these seats is when I am in need of one or really wished I had one at that moment.
There was one time that I was in a sports store and actually remembered to look for one of these fold-able legless chairs. But the store did not have these type of chairs that come with straps to hold it in place and a back. All they had were some cushions. While those are comfortable compared to just a bench or ground they do no provide the support for the back. When sitting on this cushions you are more likely to be hunched over and straining your back.
The chairs such as the outdoor portable chair, on the other hand, provide both cushion and support. I first came across one of these when I saw an elderly couple sitting on the ground, as most of the people were, during an outdoor concert. And they were comfortably lounging back as though they were sitting in the large chairs, but I did not see one. Once one of them got up, I saw that they were on these small legless chairs. While the rest of us were sitting cross legged or in similar positions on our blankets. I saw the true value for these seats as we went to more of such concerts and similar event as well a few baseball games, where I wished I had the portable chair underneath instead of just the bleachers. So as the spring time nears and the stores are more likely to have the chairs in stock... Wait a second, this is year 2010 I can order one online. I am off to search for a good deal for one on amazon.

If you are thinking of getting one as well, here is a link to the listing on amazon.com: Portable chairs by Crazy Creek