Here’s an ultimate energy saver. It just needs water to run!

Bedol Water Powered Alarm Clocks really do their part to reduce our carbon footprint by running on tap water alone! When they first arrived I filled the reservoir with water wondering if this really could be possible. With seconds, the digital clock started running. Amazing. There are three versions of the water clock. I showed the latest two. The smaller one, the Water Droplet clock, is appropriately sculpted in the shape of – well, a water droplet. It can run up to sixteen weeks or more on just plain tap water! (They don't recommend using bottled water.) Just refill the water reservoir when you see it running low through the translucent case. The Water Droplet retails for $29 and is available in four colors. The newest eco-friendly Bedol Water Alarm is the Smiley and it’s available in six colors: Red, green, orange, blue, yellow and charcoal. The clock’s base acts as a fill spout cap for water (approximately four cups) held in the reservoir which powers the clock. It can run an amazing four months (or more) between water changes. Actual operation times varies depending on the content of local tap water. The clock’s power plant employs the ions in water to generate electrical current.  Each clock features a daily or hourly alarm and easy to set 12 hour or 24 hour clock.

www.bedolwhatsnext.com

CFL bulbs (Compact Florescent Light) are efficent, but LED bulbs are even MORE efficient.

CCrane introduced the first 60-watt direct replacement LED bulb about four years ago, the GeoBulb. It cost more than $100! But now the price has dropped to $39.99. (Don’t forget the first CFL bulbs were about $30!) The GeoBulb is the same size as a conventional incandescent bulb suitable for direct replacement in any indoor open fixture. It puts out more light than a standard 60-watt bulb but uses less than 8 watts. That’s about 45% less than even CFL bulbs. Also LED bulbs are instant on/off. They don’t take time to reach full brightness. The newest bulb, the GeoBulb3 is built for long lasting durability. It’s the first bulb built to last for about 50,000 hours! It just may be the last bulb you’ve ever have to buy. And you’ll be using just 8 watts of electric instead of 60. That can really offset the price of the bulb. As with CFL bulbs, as people start using them more and more, sales will increase and the prices will drop further and faster. Right now GeoBulbs are not dimmable. Part of the problem is that most dimmers don’t go down to zero watts. So while an incandescent bulb may appear to be off when totally dimmed, a super efficient LED bulb like the GeoBulb would stay on! Available in soft and warm white. Learn more here:

http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/geobulb-led-light-bulb.aspx?RefID=WS110401WSDG0100 

Do you know what "vampire power" is? Here's a hint. It sucks your energy at night!

Did you know the standby power consumed by your entertainment system when it's not in use is costing you an estimated $76 a year? (What you save will depend on what your electric company charges per Kwh.) This stand-by power has often been called “vampire” or “phantom” power. Vampire power is pretty apt – it sucks your energy while you sleep! Entertainment systems are typically the biggest energy drains in the house, consuming energy 24/7. The Belkin Conserve Smart AV Auto-Off Surge Protector Power Strip can help you save energy and money. It lets you control power to 6 devices with your TV's on/off button which reduces standby power automatically. When you use your remote to turn off your TV's power button, this device will turn off DVD players, gaming consoles, receivers, subwoofers and other equipment automatically. Two outlets stay on for devices that need continuous power, like DVRs. It's under $30.

http://belkin.com/conserve/

Which appliance in my home uses the most electric?

Ever wonder how much it costs to leave your air conditioner on all day when you’re at work? Or how much to leave that space heater on the basement? The Belkin Conserve Insight Energy Cost Monitor can tell you that, but it does more. It helps you measure the true impact of your energy use on your utility bill - and the environment. Just plug in any one device to find out how much energy it uses -- including watts, cost of operation, and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. See exactly how much electricity is used by devices like computers, televisions, kitchen appliances, etc. The monitor also shows the carbon dioxide emissions produced as a byproduct of your electricity usage. It can also measure "vampire" power, the power an appliance uses when it's off! These days many appliances never really go truly off. Installation is so easy, Unplug the appliance and plug in the Energy Cost Monitor. Then the appliance gets plugged into the device. You do need to make one setting when you first use the device. You need to tell it how much you pay per Kwh for electric. Don’t worry, that figure is printed right on your electric bill. Under $30.

http://belkin.com/conserve/

Sensor Plug – A simple device that can help save electricity easily.

This is so easy to use! No wiring, no batteries, no tools. SensorPlug is like having an extra pair of hands when you need them! It’s a motion-sensing outlet that uses a passive infrared motion sensor. Plug in a light, or whatever you like, and it’s triggered “on” when you walk past. I have one of my Sensor Plugs outside a closet full of gadgets with a small spotlight plugged into it. As I approach the closet door with an arm full of boxes, the light goes on. It stays on as long as it senses movement and then shuts off automatically.You can adjust the auto shut off time from 2 to 6 minutes, but it will keep the light or device on for as long as it senses movement. Mine’s been a big help already, and I'm thinking of using another one as a burglar alarm. It sure will get someone’s attention when they enter a room and a big light comes on! It’s rated up to 600 watts. Installation is as easy as plugging SensorPlug into a wall outlet. It’s a three prong plug so it can be grounded. It comes with a screw if you want to secure it to the AC outlet wall plate, if desired. Sensor Plug costs about $15. If you do a web search for SensorPlug you can often find them on sale for as low as $11.00!

www.sensorplug.com 

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