A company called Digital Lumens has introduced product that networks LED lights together to form an “intelligent” lighting system. The system can turn on lights if people are present in a room, and adjust brightness levels over the course of a day. Overall, the system can cut lighting costs by 90% for commercial sites like warehouses. A real world example is the installation at Interstate Warehousing, which reports that they are now savings of more than $30,000 per year to operate the new section of the warehouse, and around 771,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been reduced annually. Each light engine in a Digital Lumens system contains three independently LED light bars, onboard controls, occupancy sensor, and a wireless antenna.

The system also collects performance data – how much energy each luminaire has used, run time hours, occupancy rates – and shares that in web-based reports on energy use.

Before and After The Installation Of Digital Lumens LEDs

The Highbay version produces spotlight effects for storage racks. The Midbay version produces dispersed light for open environments and is available in two color temperatures. Both versions are intended to replace 400W HID, HPS, and T5 or T8 fluorescent lighting.

Currently, the Digital Lumens system is aimed at commercial sites only. The company claims the system will realize cost savings within as little as two years.

Link: Digital Lumens

NASA’s space expertise means it’s virtually unmatched when it comes to creating efficient and sustainable environments for humans to live and work, and the innovative new office facility at their Ames Research Center near San Francisco is a showcase of intelligent and environmentally friendly design.  Designed by William McDonough + Partners, the Sustainability Base draws on the latest in green architecture and (literally) space-age technology.

According to NASA, Associate Center Director Steve Zornetzer was “inspired by architect and sustainability pioneer Bill McDonough… to take the closed-loop thinking that NASA uses in space exploration and apply it to a green building on Earth.”

The 50,000 square foot facility utilizes an “exoskeleton” design that takes full advantage of its natural surroundings and local wind patterns, optimizing its use of daylight and natural ventilation.  It also creates a user-friendly open floorplan for the 220 employees who will work there, and offers excellent stability and earthquake protection.

Energy efficiency is a top priority at Sustainability Base, and the facility is expected to produce all its own power as well as surplus electricity which can be channelled into the local power grid.  Energy production will come from photovoltaic solar panels supplemented by a wind turbine, as well as a natural gas fuel cell that NASA hopes will eventually utilize methane captured from landfill waste.

A few highlights of the Sustainability Base include:

- Use of locally sourced materials like steel to reduce pollution from transportation

- Extensive recycling of waste materials (92% of construction waste was kept out of landfills)

- LEED Platinum certification (pending)

- “Graywater” irrigation system that uses reclaimed waste water

- “Bioswale” landscape features and plantings that filter rainwater runoff before it enters storm drains

- Geothermal ambient cooling system

- Computerized shades that maximize daylight while controlling solar heat gain

- Extensive use of recycled building materials and reclaimed wood flooring

It’s also worth noting that, although construction costs on the $20 million structure were slightly higher thanks to all the added technology, NASA should recover the difference within 10 years – at which point the facility will be a major cost-saver as well as energy-saver.

Construction on the facility is expected to be complete later this year.

(via NASA, LA Times)

Energy efficient TV may sound like an oxymoron and with ever increasing TV sizes and the current 3D TV trend,it’s enough to make energy efficiency watchers cringe. But no need to pull the plug just yet, because the other major trend for 2011 is increased energy efficiency in TVs. With new efficiency standards going into effect this year, you’ll also begin to see the energy guide labels on TVs.

While this is a good place to start in finding an energy efficient TV, there are some HDTVs that are going beyond the energy guide standards. There are also things you can do yourself, such as have a professional calibration which reduces the light output and increases performance, or you can optimize your picture settings yourself. You can also check your TV for a power saving mode and turn off the quick start option which uses power by keeping the TV in standby. Read on to learn about the most energy efficient TVs available today as well as what’s on the horizon.

OLED TVs

LG's OLED TV

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs have some advantages over LCD displays. Though the technology has been slow going in the television market, OLED has made its’ way to laptops, smartphones, and tablets. OLED TVs don’t need a backlight like the LCDs do, which makes for better contrast, a higher refresh rate, and a thinner design. Most importantly they draw on 60-80% of the power as that of an LCD TV.

LG recently displayed their 31-inch 3D OLED TV at the CES 2011. With a depth of 3.2 mm, full HD 1080p, 200 HZ Trumotion, and a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1, the LG EL9500 shined at CES. The LG OLED TV uses less power than standard LCD TVs and does not contain lead or mercury, making for a more environmentally-friendly product. A 15-inch model is currently for sale in Europe with plans to release in the U.S. later this year. Samsung  has plans of releasing an OLED TV in 2012.

LED LCD TVs

The most basic rule of energy efficiency and TVs is the bigger the screen, the bigger the energy drain, and while this is still the case, owning a larger screen TV while still keeping energy consumption down is quickly becoming a reality. The next general rule is that LED TVs are the most energy efficient TVs currently available. The following LED TVs feature a large screen while keeping energy costs down.

Samsung UN55D8000 3D LED HDTV

Samsung UN55D8000 3D LED HDTV

Samsung has released their new line of energy efficient LED TVs for 2011 featuring the uber-sleek, ultra-thin bezel of 0.2 inches to produce a virtually edgeless TV. This model series is edge-lit with LEDs, using what Samsung calls the most innovative LED picture contrast technology. For the 55 inch TV, depending upon setting, wattage power ranges from 105.41 watts down to an impressive 86 watts using the calibrated movie mode for an annual average energy cost of $17-$23, depending upon personal energy rates and usage. The Samsung UND8000 series features 3D capability and built-in Wi-Fi with Samsung’s Smart TV technology and apps access. However, expect to pay for the full array of features and beautiful design. The Samsung UN55D800 retails for $3,600. A 46 inch model is available. And a 60 inch and 65 inch version is yet to be released.

The Samsung UN55D8000 is currently on sale at Amazon for $2,400.

LG Infinia 55LV5500 LED HDTV

LG Infinia 55LV5500 LED HDTV

The LG Infinia LV5500 series features smart energy saving in addition to the energy star seal, which means that the user has greater brightness control through local dimming of the LEDs. When you can reduce the light output on your TV, the power consumption reduces by as much as 50%. The series is recommended by Consumer Reports with an average energy cost of $31 per year for the 47-inch model based on 8 hours a day of use in the default setting.

The LG Infinia 55LV5500 sells for around $1,399 on Amazon.

Sharp LC-46LE835U LED HDTV

Sharp LC-46LE835U LED HDTV

Sharp has shown a commitment to manufacturing TVs that are both eco-friendly and consume less power than competitors by receiving the 2011 Energy Star award for excellence in energy efficient product design and continually making some of the most efficient TV models available. The latest LED model series is available with or without 3D and features edge-lit LEDs. The estimated energy cost based on 5 hours of use per day in default setting is $15 per year.

The current sale price for the 46-inch, 3D version is 1,370 on Amazon. The no-3D model is available for $1,080 on Amazon.

CFL Light Bulbs By Plumen

They’ve been called everything from curly bulbs to squirrel bulbs to pigtail bulbs, but one thing CFL light bulbs have never been called is beautiful. Until now. A British company by the name of Plumen creates CFL bulbs with an attractive design, one that is meant to be on display. Last month the Plumen 001 bulb won the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2011 beating out over 90 other entries including the Apple iPad. In addition to it’s aesthetic charm, the Plumen bulbs use 80% less energy, last 8 times longer than incandescents, produce 680 lumens, equal to a 60 watt incandescent, and come on instantly.

Plumen Bulbs Illuminate A Cafe

Though currently only available in Europe, a 110v version is set to hit North America at the end of April 2011. The bulb is causing quite a stir in the interior design world and can be seen in boutiques and coffee houses in cities like London and Copenhagen. There’s even a Flickr group where Plumen owners can show off their design ideas. As it’s stated on the Plumen website,

It’s strange that the bulb, an object so synonymous with ideas, is almost entirely absent of imagination.

Perhaps Plumen will be able to sway some of the CSL haters, though there is still the mercury problem. According to Plumen, their bulbs contain a smaller amount of mercury than previous CSLs. They will recycle the bulb for you if you send it back to the company or bring it to the store where it was purchased.

A Plumen Light Bulb Holder

The cost of the Plumen is expected to be around $30, which may be hard to swallow for some, though taking into account the energy efficiency and longevity as well as the chic factor, the price may be reasonable to others. Or you may just want to hold out for the LEDs.

Also check out our light bulb efficiency guidelines.

Via: Wall Street Journal and TreeHugger

The Best LED TVs of 2011

LED TVs are a type of LCD TV that use LED lights to illuminate the screen. In full-array LED TVs the light emitting diodes are embedded across the entire back of the panel, while other models are edge-lit, where the LEDs are arranged around the sides of the panel and illumination is directed toward the center. Most LED TVs feature local dimming, meaning that the individual lights can be adjusted independently.

In general, the full-array offers the best picture quality, but edge-lit offers a slimmer design and the local dimming technology is becoming more advanced on the edge-lit LED TVs. Of all the choices in TVs today, the LEDs offer the best energy efficiency with many exceeding the energy star rating which translates into savings in your pocket. The local dimming technology increases this efficiency. Reviews for the best rated LED TVs can be found on Consumer Reports (subscription required), Amazon, and Cnet. Here are our picks for the best LED TVs including estimated annual energy cost.

Vizio XVT553SV Tru Led TV

Vizio XVT553SV Tru Led TV

The Vizio XVT553SV Tru Led TV received a best buy from Consumer Reports with loads of features for the money and was the 2010 editor’s choice from Cnet, who called it the “best value among high-end LED-based LCD TVs today”. Though Vizio has been considered a budget LCD TV company, they’ve made a name for themselves by making quality products that have pleased their customers. The 55 inch 1080p HDTV screen on this model is one of the few to use full array LED backlit illumination. It features smart dimming technology to control the LEDs and produce blur-free clarity.

Integrated Wi-Fi gives you access to Vizio Internet Apps (VIA) which includes access to streaming movies from Amazon, Netflix, and Vudu. Also features a universal Bluetooth remote with slide-out Qwerty keyboard. The only negative from Consumer Reports was the sound quality was said to be below that of most other TVs this size. They gave sound quality a fair rating, but gave picture quality an excellent rating. This model exceeds the current Energy Star guidelines by 50% and the LEDs do not contain mercury. The estimated annual energy cost from Consumer Reports is $52, that’s with a daily use of 8 hours without using the energy saving mode.

The Vizio XVT553SV Tru Led TV is currently on sale at Amazon for $1,699.98.

LG 42LE5400 LED TV

LG 42LE5400 LED TV

Recommended by Consumer Reports, the LG 5400 series of LED TVs features 1080p full HD resolution with TruMotion 120 HZ technology for no motion blur. The 42 inch model shown is backlit by inward-projecting LED lights embedded around the edges to make this TV energy efficient and ultra-slim. Other features include Picture Wizard and Intelligent Sensor which automatically adjusts the pictures to your surroundings, internet access with Wi-Fi adapatability for access to Netflix, CinemaNow, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa Photos, and Pandora Internet Radio, and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.

Consumer Reports liked the LG 5400 for it’s excellent versatility and ease of use. They gave the picture quality a very good rating and the sound quality a good rating. Cnet hasn’t reviewed this product yet, but you can read another review at PCMag. Metaefficient likes the energy star rating estimated annual energy cost of $25 per year as well as the price itself.

The 42LE5400 LED TV retails for around $1,400, but is currently on sale at Amazon for $899.99.

Sony Bravia KDL-46HX800 LED TV

Sony Bravia KDL-46HX800 LED TV

The least expensive of Sony’s new line of 3D HD LED TVs is the HX800. The LED scheme on this model is edge-lit with local dimming, which means the LEDs are placed around the sides of the TV and can be dimmed independently within zones. Local dimming is typically only found in the full-array LED configuration, so this technology is fairly new. The 46 inch Sony Bravia shown features 1080p HD resolution, Motionflow 240HZ technology, and is 3D capable, though you’d need to purchase the glasses and 3D sync transmitter. It’s Wi-Fi adapter ready with access to Bravia internet including Neflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, Crackle, and Pandora Internet Radio.

Consumer Reports gave the picture quality and versatility an excellent rating. They liked the 3D effect, though it wasn’t perfect and had noticeable ghosting at times. All in all, it’s a reasonably priced LED TV from a high-end brand that will give you excellent picture quality and an estimated energy cost of $33 per year.

You can get the 46 inch Sony Bravia HX800 LED TV on Amazon for $1,499.

Samsung UN46C8000 LED TV

Samsung UN46C8000 LED TV

With the Samsung UN46C8000 LED TV you’ll get a chic, uber-thin (just under an inch) design and superior picture quality to other edge-lit LED TVs, yet with a retail price of $2,799.99 you’ll pay for it. Amazon has it currently on sale for $1,648.00, which is quite a savings. The LEDs can be locally dimmed. Features 1080p and 240HZ no-blur technology, 3D capability with separate purchase of glasses, and wireless connection to Samsung Smart TV with access to video, games, and social networking.

If the 3D feature is your priority, you may want to look elsewhere. Both Cnet and Consumer Reports found the 3D effect had considerable ghosting along the edges. However, Amazon reviewers love it, especially the abundance of features comparable to other TVs. This 46 inch model exceeds the energy star qualification with an estimated cost of $38 per year.

The Samsung UN46C8000 is on sale on Amazon for $1,648.00. (You’ll need to actually put the item in your cart to see this price.)

VIZIO M370NV LED TV

VIZIO M370NV LED TV

This 37 inch LED edge-backlit TV from Vizio is perfect for a small to medium sized room and will save you money on energy cost and give you a lot of features for the money. Consumer Reports reviewed the 32 inch model giving picture quality and viewing angle an excellent rating, but sound quality was only fair. Features a full 1080p HD resolution and TruVolume technology which controls volume inconsistencies between programming. Since the LEDs are arranged on the side, the set is a mere 1.7 inches thick. Amazon reviewers have given the Vizio M370NV LED TV an average 4.5 star rating. A great value all around, this TV has an estimated $20 per year energy cost.

The Vizio M370NV LED TV is currently on sale at Amazon for $529.99.

LG INFINIA 47LE8500 LED TV

LG INFINIA 47LE8500 LED TV

Like the Vizio XVT553SV, the LG Infinia 47 inch 8500 uses full array LED backlighting with local dimming capability. Even with the LEDs behind the screen, the set is still slim at 1.4 inches. Features the full HD 1080p screen with 240HZ technology and internet access to LG’s Netcast Entertainment which includes Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Picasa, and Yahoo widgets. The LG Infinia is recommended by Cnet for excellent picture quality, though one flaw they did notice was the unevenness of the backlighting and some reflectiveness especially in bright rooms. Overall though, the full array, independently adjustable LEDs of the LG Infinia help to create an unrivaled picture clarity and is one of the highest rated LED TVs on Amazon. Read the user reviews here. The estimated energy cost is $22 per year.

The LG Infinia 47LE8500 retails for $2,699.99, but is currently on sale at Amazon for $1,499.95.

High Speed Trains In The U.S.

With the high speed rail debate officially jumping the tracks into the political arena, American citizens are left to sort through the onslaught of bureaucratic bantering which so often leads to misinformation. The question that’s causing tempers to flare on both sides is whether the government should be funding high speed rail projects across the nation. Many believe that high speed rail is vital to the future of transportation in America.  Yet, all politics aside, is it even feasible now to consider that the U.S. could develop a framework of true and efficient high speed rail?

U.S. GG1 Electric Train From the 50s

At one time, we had the best passenger rail system in the world. But while other countries like France, England, Japan, and China were building their high speed rail lines, the U.S. placed priorities in the auto and airline industries. Now we’re left with crumbling train stations, watching while the price of gas inches toward that $5 a gallon mark. In an effort to play catch-up with those countries in Europe and Asia, the U.S. government is ready to build a high speed rail infrastructure. The question is not should we have high speed rail that rivals the rest of the world (because we should) but can we do it the right way so that the U.S. gets the most benefit out of this most efficient form of travel.

If We Build It, They Will Come

America 2050 Map

According to this report, 9 out of 10 Americans are open to long distance high speed train travel in the United States. America 2050, a national committee devoted to the renewing of the country’s deteriorating infrastructure, talks about an efficiency gap that exists in American transportation when it comes to traveling a distance of 200 to 400 miles. With trains being 3 times as energy efficient as cars and 6 times that of planes per passenger mile, high speed rail can more than fill that gap.

The map above shows the outcome of a recent study by America 2050 on the rail corridors that showed the highest potential for ridership. The darker the red lines, the higher score those routes received. We can also look to Amtrak to predict the success of ridership for high speed trains in the U.S. Last year marked a new annual ridership record for Amtrak, with every route carrying more passengers. And Amtrak doesn’t even operate efficiently. As pointed out in this article, not everyone has to use a community service in order to benefit from it.

Dedicated High Speed Train Tracks: The Key To Efficient Train Travel

Freight Locomotive Assisting Amtrak

For a high speed train to run most efficiently it needs its’ own track. Many current governmental high speed rail projects are calling for trains to run on the already existing network of tracks owned and operated by the nation’s freight railroads. Not only would this cause a slow down of freight trains since they’d have to give the right of way to high speed trains, but the safety issues involved would be unparalleled. Of course the freight railroads aren’t psyched about the idea and are preparing to derail the plans before they get started as explained in this WSJ article. The U.S. has the largest and most successful freight rail system in the world. It would be detrimental to jeopardize this industry in an attempt to get another one up and running due to time and money restraints.

Yet another problem in running on existing track would be the fact that this would not be true high speed rail.  Under current rules set forth by the Federal Railroad Administration, trains cannot exceed 89 mph. Even if the Surface Transportation Board, who overlook the nation’s railways, is willing to raise the maximum train speeds, the freight railroads still have the right to set their own limitations and CSX has already said they won’t allow passenger trains to travel over 90 mph on their tracks. Not exactly the high speed bullet trains we’re used to hearing about in France and China that exceed speeds of 220 mph. The entire design and structure of a high speed train would have to meet guidelines set forth by the FRA in order to run on the same track with a freight train as shown in the above picture where an Amtrak engine needed assistance from a freight engine. Also railroad crossings are designed to safely handle freight trains that typically only run at 50-60 mph.

France's TGV

Anyone who has ever ridden the TGV in France will tell you that it is a smooth and comfortable ride. This is because the train runs on smooth welded track that sits on a concrete base rather than wooden rail ties. According to French rail executive, Denis Doute, who is interested in investing in high speed rail in Texas, the operating costs of a true high speed rail line “are only slightly higher than that of a conventional rail line“. Doute advises the U.S. to have the highest aspirations when it comes to train speed. After all, we already accomplished the 100 mph electric train service back in the 40s and 50s. As he states, “It makes no sense to build rail lines that don’t do better than that”. It should also be noted that there has never been a fatality on a French or Japanese high speed train. All of these issues point to the need of dedicated high speed track to run these trains in the efficient way they are meant to operate.

High Speed Rail In California

Click here to view the embedded video.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority may be on the right track, so to speak, in creating the nation’s first true high speed rail line. It will run on 800 miles of electrified track with speeds up to 220 mph and will be emissions free. Though still in the planning stages, the project is on a schedule to be completed by 2030. The plan involves connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco by building new track, but also by using some existing track along the way. This is where costs could get exorbitant as developers attempt to reach agreements with the freight railroads and may even be forced to purchase land due to eminent domain. However, the California High-Speed Rail Authority is committed to seeking guidance from experienced developers of high speed rail.

For more on high speed rail in California click here.

For more on high speed rail projects across the U.S. see here.

There has been much discussion in the media lately (including a fair amount of misinformation) regarding the phase-out of traditional incandescent light bulbs in the United States.  Read on to separate the reality from the hype, and to learn more about efficient lighting technologies that will save energy and cut your power bills.

What Exactly Are These New Guidelines For Light Bulbs?
Well, first of all, they’re not really new – they’re provisions of 2007′s Energy Independence and Security Act, but they’re just now beginning to take effect.  They aren’t requiring any overnight changes either – the regulations call for a gradual phase-out of the most inefficient bulbs between 2012 and 2014.  The 2012 restrictions will begin by phasing out old-style 100-watt incandescent bulbs, and by 2014 they will limit 40-watt bulbs.

It’s worth noting that the guidelines will NOT actually ban incandescent bulbs – they simply require that any bulb (incandescent, fluorescent, or any other type) meet an improved level of energy efficiency.  Also, specialty bulbs like those for appliances and floodlights will generally be exempt from the restrictions.

Out With Watts, In With Lumens
Wattage used to be the simplest standard for judging a light bulb’s brightness, but no more.  Alternative lighting sources like LEDs and fluorescent bulbs produce light while using far less power, and even incandescent bulbs have improved in their efficiency.  So it’s time to stop comparing apples and oranges, and instead focus on a consistent measure of how much light is being produced:  lumens.

Lumens offer a standardized measure of light output, and as manufacturers begin to list lumens instead of wattages on bulb packaging, consumers will be able to more accurately compare the performance of different products regardless of their energy usage.

New Labels Will Make It Easier To Compare Lighting Products (image: FTC)

New Federal Trade Commission guidelines for light bulb packaging will further assist buyers:  by mid-2011 other information in addition to lumen output will also be clearly labeled, including annual energy costs and a bulb’s typical lifespan.

What Will Replace Old Incandescents?
There are a number of technologies on the market that will let consumers meet the new EISA guidelines, and save money as well:

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) offer substantial energy savings, and they are fairly inexpensive.  The quality of light they provide has improved markedly in recent years as well.  Their biggest drawback is their mercury content, which means that broken bulbs must be carefully cleaned up and CFLs must be properly disposed of when they burn out.

MetaEfficient’s Pick:  Check out GE’s Energy Smart compact fluorescent bulbs, available in a range of models including Bright Daylight ($8.20 for two) and Soft White ($19.16 for six).

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Zetalux LED Light Bulb

Bulbs that use solid-state light emitting diodes (LEDs) are continuing to evolve and improve.  Although they are still relatively expensive, they are the longest lasting and most energy-efficient bulbs available, and they contain no toxic materials.  For more details, check out this recent MetaEfficient post about LED lighting.

MetaEfficient’s Pick:  The EarthLED Zetalux LED Light Bulb was recently profiled in this article.  It’s available for $30.60 at Amazon.

Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESLs)

Electron Stimulated Luminescence (ESL) Bulb By Vu1

Electron Stimulated Luminescence is the new kid on the lighting block.  Phosphors within a glass bulb are electrified to emit visible light, and the result is a light source that’s up to 70% more efficient that incandescent bulbs while using no toxic chemicals like mercury.  This recent MetaEfficient article about ESL bulbs takes a closer look at the new technology.

MetaEfficient’s Pick:  Right now, the only ESL bulbs on the market are produced by Vu1 Corporation.  You can learn more or place an order at the Vu1 website.

Better Incandescent Bulbs

Halogena Light Bulb From Philips

Although they still can’t match the performance of some other technologies, some next-generation incandescent bulbs are far more energy efficient than those of a few years ago (thanks largely to redesigned filament components).  For example, the Halogena line from Philips claims 30% better efficiency and three times longer life compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

MetaEfficient’s Pick:  The Philips Halogena Light Bulb is available from Amazon ($16.99 for a 2-pack).

Which new types of energy efficient lighting are you using in your home?  Leave a comment below and let us know.

The quest for low-impact, efficient living is often at odds with the human flaws of sheer laziness and absentmindedness. This couldn’t be more poignantly-illustrated than in an average American home. Much electricity is wasted each and every day by very simple, avoidable behavior. One of the most common examples is the vast amounts of electricity that are essentially thrown away due to unnecessary lights and appliances being left on. There’s nothing purposeful or malicious in this basic behavior, it’s just simple human forgetfulness. The SmartSwitch is a unique, new light switch design that aims at eliminating the forgetfulness from the equation.

Designed by Brandon Wypich and Peter Russo of Stanford University the SmartSwitch was a semi-finalist in the recent Greener Gadget Design Competition.  It is a slider switch that uses an internal brake mechanism to make it more difficult to switch on when energy consumption is high. The switch uses a network connection and electrical lines to transmit data on the energy consumption level. It can be set to reflect either communal consumption or the consumption of your home. When energy consumption is low, the light switch flips like you’d expect any light switch to.
While the SmartSwitch will never impede you from actually turning the circuit on, it will be a very tangible reminder to cut down on your home energy, prompting the quick question of whether you actually need the light on. The switch will also remind you to shut off any unnecessary lights or appliances that happen to be on at the time. It’s a very simple nudge to do your part and cut down on wasted electricity. ]
Though quite simple, the concept behind the SmartSwitch is solid and intuitive: people don’t leave energy-consuming products idly running on purpose, but merely don’t give it a second thought. The SmartSwitch makes sure there’s a tangible change.

This 13 watt bulb, the Evolux by EarthLED, is said to be first LED light to be able to replace a 100 watt incandescent. The lifetime of this bulb is rated at over 50,000 hours — which is five times longer than a compact fluorescent bulb. Other advantages of LED bulbs is their ability to brighten instantly, and be switched off and on rapidly without problems. They also contain no mercury. LED-based bulbs do, however, require more energy to manufacture that CFL or incandescents.

The Evolux uses a CREE light engine, and it contains a small fan to cool the circuit board. EarthLED has a video of the bulb in action, and also some photos showing the type of the light it renders. The Evolux bulb sells about $90 right now. If you are serious about energy efficiency, or if you’re using solar power, this might be the bulb for you.

It’s available from GoGreenSolar for about $80. See also the $60 GEOBulb, which is another LED light bulb.