One Fused Life » Green & Environment

Nest: Thermostat reinvented, the Apple way

Lasha — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 09:08:01 +0000

Let's face it, thermostats suck, and the guys at Nest saw a brilliant opportunity to create the perfect solution. "The Learning Thermostat" is functional, useful, time saving, green, economical, super cool, and last but not least, beautiful! There isn't a single sane person who would refuse to install this in their home.

Nest is led by two former members of the iPod division at Apple; Tony Fadell, who served as SVP, and Matt Rogers who served as lead engineer . The influence of the rich "click wheel" history of the iPod is comfortably evident. The elegance and minimalism of both the hardware and the interface makes it desirable to use, while saving money!

Yes, it looks gorgeous and easy to use, but what makes Nest THAT much cooler? Read more after the jump...

Programs itself. "Nest programs itself based on the temperatures you set. Nest learns your personal schedule in a week and starts automatically turning down heating or cooling when you’re away to save energy. Nest will keep refining its schedule over time."
Loaded with sensors. Its 150° activity sensor detect when you're approaching, as well as when you've left the house to set itself to Auto-Away (energy saving!). Walking up to it lights up the display, and if it's dark, it won't blind you. It even uses WiFi to monitor outside weather and how it affects your energy consumption.
Connected. With your Nest.com account, you can log in to remotely control temperatures, adjust schedules, and check weather. Software updates are done automatically through WiFi so you'll always be up to date. There's an iPhone app, too!
Energy History. Monitor how much energy and money you save, your usage patterns and how the weather and Auto-Away have affected everything.
What's in the box? Nest display, base, screws and screwdriver, Optional Mounting Kit, Start Here guide and Installation guide.

At $249, it's a steal when you consider the amount of money you could be saving annually (up to 50%). Watch the video below to learn more about the Nest Learning Thermostat. This is going to spark a new home electronics trend.

If Apple was in the home appliances market, this is pretty much what it would be like. After all, what can you expect from a company running on Apple DNA? I am confident that after the Nest is a huge hit, they will slowly expand into other areas of the home.

What could possibly be next? Tell me in the comments below. You know you want to!

Click here to learn everything about Nest Learning Thermostat.

Huge energy saving potential for Subway systems

Lasha — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:44:42 +0000

Over 3 years ago, I blogged about the MTA going green, and ways they can improve the entire transportation system. The very last bullet-point of the latter blog post identified "Kinetic Energy Generators" as a way to capture the wasted energy through turnslides.

Inhabitat.com published an article yesterday about Vycon, a company that plans to integrate a system to capture the kinetic energy of moving trains. The potential energy that can be captured and reused when a train is decelerating is about 4 megawatts, which is approximately the amount of energy required to get a train moving. New York City is one the largest consumers of energy in the world. Implementing these types of systems would drastically affect energy costs and energy waste.

Apple hits the green spot, again

Lasha — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:58:45 +0000

I intended to write about Apple going green when they launched the new Macs earlier this year, but I felt the urge to wait, and so I did. Apple has truly done it this time with their entire line of MacBook Pros and the iPhone 3GS.

The MacBook Pros are the greenest Macs Apple has yet to deliver. All models of the machine (13, 15, and 17 inch) are EPEAT Gold rated and meet the Energy Star 5.0 requirements, which isn't even out yet. This makes the machines consume less electricity, and easier on the environment.

Speaking of the environment, both the MacBook Pros and the iPhone 3GS are made mostly out of earth-friendly materials, which are also easily recyclable.

Highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure
Mercury-free LED-backlit display
Arsenic-free display glass
BFR-free
PVC-free internal cables

The iPhone 3GS shares a lot of these features as well. All of Apple's products ship inside of much smaller packaging which is great for several reasons: Easier to ship more units per airplane, easier to carry, easier to store, less garbage in the dumps. Everyone wins.

It would be amazing to see companies utilize more environmentally friendly materials. This is a great start, and I am glad that Apple is trying to pioneer being fully green, or as green as they can be. Which other companies, other than the ones that specialize in green tech, actually manufacture products of similar nature? Post in comments below, please.

I predict that some day, we will have a way to teleport technology we buy straight to our homes. No jetplane delivery, no fumes, no packaging garbage.

Friendly Reminder: Back up your data, NOW

Lasha — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:21:06 +0000

Everyone knows how important it is to constantly back up your data. For whatever reasons, people still fail to do so, and when their computers start blowing smoke through their holes, it's already too late.

Working in the design world, file backup is probably the single most important maintenence rule. You ALWAYS want to keep backups of your files, documents, photos, videos, music, and so forth. If you're running a Windows machine, you should be taking note with extra care as Windows machines are more prone to viruses (and other infections).

External Hard Drive are extremely cheap these days! There's no reason why you shouldn't invest in something that can save you hundreds of hours, depression, and tears. Do the right thing and get into the habit of backing up often. There are tons of solutions available out there that will automate this process for you on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis - your choice.

Side note: If you're one of those people that has a million different files and folders scattered on your desktop and around the computer, you need to learn a big lesson. Organizing your files will not only make your backup-process much easier, but you will feel less cluttered when everything is easily accessible.

Windows Backup sofware, Click here!
Mac Backup software, Click here!

If these solutions are not suitable for you, a simple Google search (or a Bing.com search) will help you out.

War on tough packaging has begun!

Lasha — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:29:11 +0000

Microsoft, Sony, and Best Buy have joined the fight with Amazon against the terrible packaging! After all the struggling and the thousands of injuries reported by hospitals each year, major players in the technology retail world are joining the fight. Yes, we are all aware that it is because of the security reasons, but designers can invent clever ways of packaging products that won't hurt us, or the earth!

I might even start getting into eco-friendly packaging design semi-professionally, just to help this movement. Plus, I love coming up with new ways of doing things. Death to steel-like containers!

Why do companies use inefficient shipping methods?

Lasha — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:35:04 +0000

A little under a week ago, I purchased two new sweaters and a pair of jeans on sale from Aeropostale. I walked into the door expecting to see a nice small package waiting to be opened. Instead, I saw a massive 14" square box lying there only to find roughly a quarter of the space being used. Utter disappointment spread throughout my body, albeit excited to try on my new clothes.

I am generally not that big on online shopping but when I do purchase something online, I expect it to be shipped efficiently. There's really no excuse, to be honest. Why would a company waste money on oversized shipping boxes when they can save on both equipment and shipping costs?

This is definitely not the first time something like this has happened, and I am not the first to complain. I gotta hand it to companies like Amazon, Apple, and Logitech for using efficient shipping methods (from my experiences) and for keeping their shipment carbon footprint low. Have you had any negative experiences like this? I'd like to know.

Project 10 to the 100th is helping us change the world!

Lasha — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:15:42 +0000

I came across this website a few hours ago and I immediately knew I had to tell the world! This is Google's latest endeavor and they're at it to help change the world, with 10 million dollars on the line. "Project 10¹⁰⁰ is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible." Google is asking us to submit ideas that can be funded to help the world in any way; energy, environment, health, education, and more!

Let's face it. There are millions of people out there who need our help, and it's not easy to do something about it alone. With the power of a giant company by our side, a world of opportunities are unravelled. I already started writing down my ideas down for submission by October 20th, and I hope you do the same. I have strong beliefs in education, protecting our environment, clean energy, and providing new opportunities for better lives.

Visit Project10tothe100.com to find out how you can participate. I will be keeping close tabs on this project, hoping that more companies start taking similar steps towards a better world! To all my readers and Google, thank you!

The Economy is in Trouble, Now What?

Lasha — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:29:31 +0000

Just a few days ago, the stock market took one of the biggest hits since the great depression. People cried, panicked, and were filled with worry. When one of the largest corporations in the world files for bankruptcy, everybody living in America and elsewhere are effected.

Thousands of jobs lost, lives ruined, billions of dollars gone to waste. What are we to do when we face such challenges? The hopeful thought would be for CEOs to get together, stop being greedy, and give back to the people that need it most. It's true, if companies cared more about being great at what they do, and profits were just an added bonus, we wouldn't have these kinds of situations occur as they do.

People say "tragedy is one of the only ways change is initiated." Is something like this enough to make a difference and serve as a wake up call to large corporations and people in general? I certainly hope so. I don't want to have to wait for a grander tragedy to destroy more lives and cause harm to the world, like the climate crisis. Continue to read the rest...

I applaud the companies and individuals who are trying to make a difference by going green- supporting alternative energy sources, biodegradable products, low-emission vehicles and products, and so forth. GM revealed the Chevy Volt a couple of days ago which is a vehicle like the Prius (hybrid), but more advanced and efficient in several ways.

This leads me to wonder if the economic troubles will halt the development of these projects. My guess is that it won't effect the developments much at all. Taking into consideration how competition and technology works, more companies will take advantage of the new market by adding a piece of their own.

It's pretty upsetting when I open a news website and the first thing I see is how companies are cutting jobs, outsourcing, and losing profits. As far as I'm concerned, investors aren't investing much at all these days. If a company was to dedicate its resources to new technologies and general advancement of their business, it would make things easier for us, investors, and the economic stature.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe that companies and individuals have the ability to make a difference in this world right now?

As economy struggles, companies turning to more efficient technologies

5 Easy Steps to be Green at Home

Lasha — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:33:18 +0000

If you're serious about going green, here are some easy steps you can take to make it happen. Yes, installing Fluorescent bulbs throughout the home and driving a hybrid can do a lot, but some of these you may not have thought of.

Hitting the right water temperature: Things like taking a shower, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, and so forth require a lot of water. Of course, we all love the soothing hot water as we bathe, but a nice warm temperature does just fine. Avoiding hot temperatures takes it easy on the boiler, which results in a smaller oil bill. This may not be the case for apartment dwellers, but taking it easy on the building's boiler can help on overall energy consumption (tell the neighbors!).
Sub-Tip: You jump in the shower and turn the hot and cold water knobs to steady flow. The temperature is too cold, so what do you do? Instead of ADDING more hot water, try lessening the amount of cool water flow. This will save water, and the amount of heat generated by the boiler.
Shut off and unplug: Done charging something? Unplug it. Not using computer speakers? Shut them off. Putting the computer to sleep? Shut it down. Don't charge something unless it needs charging. On top of that, keep chargers unplugged since they use up energy even though nothing is charging. Easy solution to most problems: A power strip/surge protect, something you should already have. Sleep/Stand-by mode still wastes energy, don't do it!
Saving those plastic bags! Whenever you get plastic bags, save them! You never know what you can use them for. Yes, they make great garbage bags but they're terrible for the environment. Instead, try BioBags! For things like groceries and general carry-around stuff, cloth bags work best. They can be found everywhere for cheap prices so don't go saying they're too much or they're hard to find.
Appliance Etiquette: Avoid paper towels for drying/cleaning things - Instead, use a cloth towel. Make sure you're using Energy Star compliant appliances; dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. If not, ensure future purchases to be efficient as possible. Saving the planet AND your energy bill is a great feeling! Specifics: 1) Shut off A/C when no one is home. 2) Lower fridge cooling levels by a notch or two when possible. 3) Replace all filters as directed by the manufacturer - dirty filters decrease efficiency and increase energy consumption.
Great Resources: Visit these websites for all the information about being green and environmentally friendly: Some of these are great blogs, organizations, retailers, and people who want to make a difference. Join in and have a blast!
- WeCanSolveIt.org
- Earth911.org
- GreenHomeGuide.com
- AutoBlogGreen.com
- Inhabitat.com
- GreenDaily.com
- EcoGeek.org
- Evo.com (Eco-friendly products, services, and information)
- MethodHome.com (Eco-friendly online store)

I hope you enjoy these websites as much as I do. Learning about all the different things that are being done is great! Dare I say it? Yes. Help fight the destruction of our planet!

Dell Joins the Green Route with Studio Hybrid Series

Lasha — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:05:14 +0000

I must give props to Dell for taking a big step towards greener computing with their new Studio Hybrid lineup. In terms of design, I'm very picky about what I like and Dell has been producing some pretty good looking hardware (although I prefer Mac OS X over Windows for software). I applaud Dell for making a machine with a tiny form factor that consumes 70% less energy than standard computers and ships in 95% recyclable materials.

The reason why I am promoting this is simply because I believe it is a step in the right direction for a major market holder in the industry. Not to worry, the Hybrid line comes with a variety of options to customize it to your needs. You will not only save energy but you'll also have a smaller carbon footprint.

Apple has already begun its process of making their machines as green as possible by using highly recyclable materials (aluminum), smaller packaging, mercury-free LCD backlights, and more. It makes feel that much better about companies doing the right thing, and it should be the same with you.