When some people vacation, they take their homes with them. Those are the people Irene Rawlings and Mary Abel write about in Portable Houses, a book devoted to all sorts of movable shelters and the people who created or renovated them. The examples featured in the book range in elaborateness from a canvas miner’s tent… [Continue Reading]
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The Best Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers Of 2013
January 13, 2012 by 156 Comments
In A Nutshell Overall, the best rechargeable AA battery is the Eneloop Pro (aka Sanyo XX Battery Powered By Eneloop). These batteries hold their charge for 12 months. They also have a high energy capacity (2500 mAh), and they perform better than similar high-capacity AAs (see my article for more information). Another good rechargeable AA is Maha’s Imedion battery, which is cheaper than the… [Continue Reading]
LiFePO4 Batteries: A Breakthrough For Electric Vehicles
September 21, 2008 by 57 Comments
Note: If you looking for AA-sized LifePO4, you can find them here. Soon, we’ll probably be seeing Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries being used in most electric cars and bikes. This new battery type is set to dominate the market. Based upon lithium ion technology, LiFePO4 batteries offer many advantages over lithium cobalt dioxide (LiCoO2)… [Continue Reading]
Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Packs: 2008
May 2, 2007 by 3 Comments
A lithium-ion battery manufacturer, A123Systems, will begin marketing a kit in 2008 that will convert a regular hybrid car into a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, as known as a PHEV. Currently priced at $10,000 (with a $3,500 tax credit), these modules are still expensive for the average car owner. For example, a commuter driving 11,000… [Continue Reading]
Naturemill Pro Promises Easy & Efficient Indoor Composting
June 4, 2009 by 22 Comments
Nobody’s going to put up with a compost heap in a closet. But what if you could quickly compost your organic waste with no odors or bugs, indoors or outside, with a device small enough to fit in a kitchen cabinet? Naturemill promises that its Pro Edition automatic composter will do just that, producing hassle-free… [Continue Reading]
The Best LED Desk Lamps For 2012
January 31, 2012 by 70 Comments
LED desk lamps have a lot going for them. Besides being energy efficient, LED lamps run much cooler than conventional desk lamps, and you can expect the LEDs to last for 10-15 years. Watch out for poorly made LED lamps though — I have an Adesso Lamp that lost 7 of its 20 LEDs in… [Continue Reading]
Reviews of Online DVD Rental Companies
December 28, 2005 by 2 Comments
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… [Continue Reading]
Solar Water Heaters Now Mandatory In Hawaii
June 29, 2008 by 21 Comments
Hawaii has become the first state to require solar water heaters in new homes. The bill was signed into law by Governor Linda Lingle, a Republican. It requires the energy-saving systems in homes starting in 2010. It prohibits issuing building permits for single-family homes that do not have solar water heaters. Hawaii relies on imported… [Continue Reading]
3 Reasons Light Rail is an Efficient Transportation Option for U.S. Cities
January 1, 2011 by 4 Comments
Light rail is a type of electric railway that runs on right-of-way railroad tracks or on tracks in city streets. Using their own lanes and able to go anywhere, light rail cars mix well in urban settings by not getting caught up in traffic congestion. Though the United States operates the largest and most efficient… [Continue Reading]
90% Of Israeli Homes Have Solar Water Heaters
July 3, 2008 by 22 Comments
I recently noted that Hawaii has enacted a law that requires all new homes to install solar water heaters. Eventually, Hawaii may have as many water heaters as Israel, where 90% of homes have solar water heaters installed. When viewed from above, the Jerusalem often glitters with the shine of the thousands of solar heaters… [Continue Reading]
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