From the monthly archives:

December 2005

Solar Evacuated Tubes: Free Hot Water

December 30, 2005

For solar water heating in your home, there are basically two types of solar collectors: conventional flat-plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Evacuated tubes have a number of advantages: the work on overcast days, in colder weather, and the tubes can be installed and replaced individually without special tools.

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Efficient “Scando” Family Table

December 29, 2005

The design of this Scando Family Table was inspired by the combination of Japanese living and watching how children relate to the floor in their daily activities. Designer Eric Pfeiffer created a table that is well crafted and multi-functional. The design makes use of wood efficiently using a single sheet of molded plywood. It’s priced [...]

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“Indestructible” MP3 Player: Monolith Premium MX7000

December 29, 2005

Yes — manufacturers — make more devices like this one. The Monolith MP3 player is fused into a solid 1.5mm aluminium casing — not stuck together with glue or screws. It’s a unique manufacturing process pioneered by the manufacturer, Estar Laboratories. Testers have run the player over with a car, shot the player with a [...]

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Satellite Radio Reviews

December 29, 2005

Satellite radio is a high quality radio service that is static free, mostly commercial free and currently censorship-free. Special satellite receivers, costing around $50 are needed to pick up the signal. The two satellite radio companies, Sirius Radio and XM Satellite Radio offer competing services, both costing $12.95 per month. CNET offers the best comparison [...]

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Reviews of Online DVD Rental Companies

December 28, 2005

What are the best online DVD rental services? Most people know Netflix, Blockbuster and Walmart are the major players in online DVD rentals. Netflix, which started it all, still gets the best reviews in terms of service, speed and movie selection (see this review for example).
However, there are some other interesting DVD rental companies out [...]

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Lexon Dolmen LED Light

December 26, 2005

This efficient LED Light was created by designers Marco Pulga and Luca Artioli for Lexon of France. It runs on only 4 AA batteries. The lamp is 5″ square in size. The intensity of the light can be adjusted, and you can also set the light to turn off after period of time. Available for [...]

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Smart LED Candle Light

December 26, 2005

We featured some LED candles from Phillips previously but these lamps are available for only $9.95. The LEDs inside this lamp simulate a real candle. It’s powered by three rechargeable or regular AAA batteries. Available from CB2. Found via Better Living Through Design.

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Recycled Paper Journals

December 25, 2005

These classy journals are made from 100% post-consumer fibre. They have a perpetual calendar printed on the inside fold-out front cover. The journals measure 6” X 9″ and are filled with 200 pages of 24 lb. cream coloured paper which is processed without chlorine bleach. Availalbe for $14.55 from Grass Roots.
Found via Great Green Goods.

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Staber Washer: Highly Efficient

December 22, 2005

The Staber Washer is good washer if you are interested in saving electricity, water and detergent. It is the only top loading, horizontal-axis clothes washer made in the U.S. It operates in a similar way to an efficient front load washer, but you get top loading convenience. Compared to conventional vertical-axis agitator washers, the Staber [...]

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Bamboo Chest

December 22, 2005

This chest, by Ecodesignz, is made out of strips of bamboo, and finished with a clear, low-glass lacquer. The bamboo laminate is made with E-1 glue, which meets tough European standards for outgassing. Ecodesignz furniture is virtually formaldehyde-free.
Available for $245 from Ecodesignz.

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Wind-Up Universal Remote Control

December 21, 2005

This is a remote control that you can charge by turning a small hand crank — thus eliminating the need for batteries. You can control six different devices with the remote, including your television, DVD player, VCR, cable, satellite, and an auxiliary module. The wind-up generator requires only 30 revolutions for a full charge, which [...]

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Egglings: Crack Open a Plant

December 20, 2005

These ceramic “Egglings” look and feel like real eggs. But if you crack one open, and add water, you’ll soon have plant growing. Each Eggling comes with a terra cotta tray and seed pack. The plants will grow for months in their shell and can be replanted in soil.
Available for $8.95 from Elsewares. Found via [...]

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Efficient Soapstone Stoves by Tulikivi

December 20, 2005

These soapstone stoves are made by the Finish company Tulikivi. They use radiant heat to warm up your house, which is a highly desirable type of heat because it’s even and non-drying. Radiant heat passes through the air in a room, and warms all of the solid surfaces in the room that it “shines” upon. [...]

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Efficient Sprouting: The Sprout Bag

December 20, 2005

In the growing world, it doesn’t get much easier than sprouting. It’s a easy way to grow fresh ingredients for your sandwich or stir fry. It takes only about 6 to 7 days for sprouts to grow. People often assume sprouts are best grown in jars. But jars were never designed for sprouting. According to [...]

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Hand-Powered Night Vision Scope

December 20, 2005

This device is a night vision scope, but it doesn’t require any batteries. Instead, it’s has a lever-activated power supply, so you can generate your own power ad hoc. You’ll can see in the night without fear of an energy failture. It is priced around $200. See Camping Station or other vendors.

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LED Lights: Efficient Indoor Growing

December 18, 2005

LED grow lights are a good choice if you are interested in growing indoors without a lot of hassle. Traditional grow lights generate a lot of heat and use large amounts of electricity, which raises your monthly electric bill by noticeable amounts. These LED grow lights stay cool, and use only a minuscule amount of [...]

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Powerstrips That Detect Your Presence In a Room

December 16, 2005

This powerstrip, called the Isole IDP-3050, is unique because six of its eight outlets are controlled by a motion sensor. You could plug your monitor, desk lamp and space heater into the strip, and they will be turned off automatically when you leave the room.

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Felt Briefcase Made Out of Merino Wool

December 16, 2005

This distinctive felt briefcase was designed by Daff from Germany. It’s made out of 100% merino wool felt that resists piling. It features a roomy interior with two main pockets and space under the front flap for credit cards and ID, as well as a cell phone storage pocket. Available from Unica Home for [...]

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Test Tube Vases

December 16, 2005

These are minimalist test tube vases. They’re available for $9.15 from Sprout Home.
Found via Better Living Through Design

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Kirei Mod Coffee Table

December 14, 2005

This coffee table is made out of Kirei board, which is a material made out of the recycled stalks of the Sorghum plant. Usually these stalks are thrown away after the Sorghum cereal is harvested, but in this case, they are reclaimed, and then bonded into a sheet using formaldehyde-free adhesives.

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