Home improvement can pay for itself, and even put cash back in your pocket – if you’re putting your money in the right places.  Renovations that increase your home’s energy efficiency aren’t just nice for the environment, they can be economical as well.  The folks at One Block Off The Grid offer a great guide to help you sort out which upgrades make the most sense for your home.

The graphic highlights a range of improvements, both big and small, that will cut your utility bills while reducing your home’s environmental footprint.  Each project is marked with four key figures:  average annual savings, projected savings over a 20-year period, the amount of time for the project to pay for itself, and the cost of the renovation.

(click to view the full size image)

The handy illustration points out that in terms of financial investment, many of these home upgrades can offer a better payoff than traditional investments like stocks or CDs.  And depending where you live, incentives like rebates and tax breaks can make the renovation costs substantially cheaper.

These aren’t just long-term projects, either:  upgrades like low-flow showerheads and programmable thermostats can pay for themselves in less than a year, making them a good choice for renters as well as homeowners.  Larger scale renovations on the other hand, like a green roof or solar array, have the potential to save a homeowner tens of thousands of dollars over the years.

(via One Block Off The Grid)

Urban living requires efficient use of space, but it can be a very environmentally-friendly lifestyle:  city residents generally live in small homes with access to walkable neighborhoods and public transportation.  One common downside is a lack of green space, but architect Stefano Boeri aims to change all that with his “Bosco Verticale” concept.  Italian for “vertical forest”, his project was recently described by the Financial Times as “the most exciting new tower in the world”.

Currently under construction in the Isola neighborhood of central Milan, the inaugural Bosco Verticale project consists of a pair of residential towers.  Rising 110 and 76 meters over the city, the towers will be home to 900 trees (some close to 30 feet tall) plus a range of flowering plants and shrubs.  That amount of greenery is comparable to 10,000 square meters of forest space, or 50,000 sqm of suburban residential property.

According to Boeri, “Bosco Verticale is a project for metropolitan reforestation that contributes to the regeneration of the environment and urban biodiversity without the implication of expanding the city upon the territory. Bosco Verticale is a model of vertical densification of nature within the city.”

Besides offering pleasing aesthetics, the vertical forest concept takes the green skyscraper concept even further by creating a healthier environment for residents.  The density of plantings creates a microclimate that filters dust and particulate pollution, absorbs CO2, and absorbs noise.  Improved shade and temperature regulation will help avoid the “heat island” effect and reduce the energy needed for climate control systems.

Other energy-efficient components are being integrated into the buildings as well:  photovoltaic arrays will provide partial power to the buildings, and much of the irrigation needed to support the plantings will come from reusing processed wastewater.  Visit Stefano Boeri Architecture to learn more.

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.

Lighting Science Group 40 Watt Equivalent LED Light

LED light bulbs have long had incandescent and CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs beat in terms of energy efficiency, yet they’ve taken a back seat to the CFLs due to the much higher price tag of an LED bulb. That is until now. As incandescent bulbs are being phased out, lighting companies are scrambling to get their LED bulbs on the shelves and in the homes of America. Which means prices are dropping.

Lighting Science Group recently announced its’ new 40 watt equivalent LED bulb for sale on Amazon for $21.98, quite a bit cheaper than the competition, such as the $38 GE LED bulb. The A19 type bulb lasts 23 years and contains no mercury, unlike the CFL bulbs that have recently received a lot of press due to a study about potential cancer causing chemicals. Lighting Science Group plans to release a variety of LEDs for sale on Amazon including the more popular 60 watt equivalent bulb. Home Depot also carries a line of LED bulbs from Lighting Science Group, called the Ecosmart LED bulbs.

Switch LED Bulb

Vying for a slice of the LED pie, is Switch lighting who have developed 60 watt and 75 watt equivalent LED bulbs. With plans to begin production in the U.S. later this year, the Switch LED bulbs are expected to cost less than $15.

Metaefficient is also a fan of the Pharox 300 LED bulb which, at $27, is slightly more expensive than these new LEDs about to hit the market, but it does offer dimming capability, while the Lighting Science Group bulb is non-dimmable. For more on the Pharox 300 LED bulb see here. Though it’s been a long time coming, we may be finally able to see the LED light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to replacing the beloved incandescent with affordable, uber-efficient, non-toxic lighting.

For more on LEDs see our recent articles on light bulb efficiency guidelines and LED bulbs for the home.

Energy Efficient Shipping Container House In Mojave Desert

Sitting near Joshua Tree, California in the Mojave Desert is an energy efficient new home and studio built by architect Walter Scott Perry of ecotechdesign out of six re-purposed steel shipping containers. Also known as the Tim Palen Studio at Shadow Mountain, the 2,300 square foot home is the first permitted shipping container house to be built in the Mojave Desert. In true hybrid style, based on the Toyota Prius concept of efficiency, the home design combines pre-engineered building with energy conservation features such as a solar home shading system, a movable living green roof, and a 10,000 gallon water storage tank plus a separate 3,000 gallon tank for rainwater harvesting capability.

Scott Perry's Joshua Tree House

The 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 2-story home was built with a client-requested photography studio and separate storage building. The steel framework and insulation system not only administers energy efficiency that exceeds California code requirements by 50%, but also provides exceptional strength for protection against wind, earthquake, and fire. To protect against the desert heat and wind, a perforated metal shade wraps the roof, south-facing walls and the solar breezeway which serves to direct a natural flow of air into the home. The house can also be heated and cooled with a ductless, mini-split heat pump system.

Scott Perry's Joshua Tree House

The large windows and doorways capture daylight as well as help with ventilation and evaporative cooling. The 160 square foot green roof hosts native desert plants and sedums irrigated by greywater to absorb heat, dust, and CO2. The photography studio is lit with six 22-inch solar tubes that can be manually controlled.

Scott Perry's Joshua Tree House

According to the ecotechdesign website, total building cost was $150 per square foot. The design company has more hybrid building projects in the works.

Via: Jetson Green

Photo credit: Jack Parsons Photography

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.

Sunpower Solar Panels

Princeton University will soon be home to the largest solar field on a U.S. college campus. Scheduled for completion by summer 2012, the 5.3 megawatt system will be comprised of 16,500 photovoltaic solar panels, estimated to generate 5.5 % of electrical power to reduce campus energy costs by 8 %. The solar field will cover 27 acres on the university’s land. The panels will be designed and built by Sunpower, a leader in advanced solar energy systems. To maximize efficiency, 80% of the system will contain Sunpower Trackers that use a global positioning system to capture the sun at the highest intensity, while the remaining solar panels will be fixed at a 25 degree angle.

Atrium in Princeton's Frick Chemistry Laboratory Building

As part of a sustainability plan to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020 to the level it had in 1990, Princeton has also installed solar panels on the roofs of two campus buildings, including the stunning atrium located in the Frick Chemistry Laboratory. Partly funded by New Jersey’s Solar Renewable Energy Certificate program as well as environmental incentives under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Princeton is leading the way for renewable energy systems to be economically accessible.

Princeton University Halls

Their dedication to solar energy will also provide unique research and learning opportunities for both students and faculty. Perhaps the most important aspect of the project is the awareness it will generate about solar energy. As chemical and biological engineering professor, Ilhan Aksay says, “The fact that Princeton University took a lead in this sends out a signal that Princeton is serious about this. I expect that more students will now be interested in pursuing related research, and this will affect the faculty as well”.

Via: Daily Princetonian

SolaRoad Solar Bike Path

What could make bike riding even more efficient? How about a bike path embedded with solar panels to produce clean energy while encouraging people to get on their bikes? The town of Krommenie in the Netherlands, just north of Amsterdam, will be receiving the SolaRoad bike path, scheduled to open in 2012.

Developed by the Province of North Holland, the Ooms Avenhorn Group and Imtech, the solar bike path will be constructed with a concrete base, topped with a 1 cm thick layer of crystalline silicon solar cells. The solar cells will then be protected by a thick, heavy-duty glass surface strong enough to drive a truck over it. The SolaRoad is estimated to generate 50 kw hours of electricity per square meter per year which will be used to power street lights, traffic systems, and perhaps even households along the SolaRoad system.

SolaRoad Project In The Netherlands

The SolaRoad project is part of the Dutch government’s commitment to renewable energy. Their vision is to have an entire network of roads encapsulated with solar panels throughout the country. In the meantime, it will be interesting to learn what cyclists in North Holland think of riding on this glass-surfaced bike path.

Springwise via Inhabitat

World's Largest Solar Roof To Power High Speed Rail Station in China

Efficiency abounds in China as the world’s largest building integrated photovoltaic project prepares to power the railway station where some of the world’s fastest high speed trains pass through. China Sunergy, a solar cell and module manufacturer based in Nanjing, China, has recently signed a deal with CEEG (Nanjing) Solar Energy Research Institute to supply the 7MW solar modules for the Nanjing South Railway Station. When it’s finished, the Nanjing South Railway Station will be one of the most energy efficient public buildings in China.

Solar Powered Nanjing South Railway Station

Mr. Stephen Zhifang Cai, CEO of China Sunergy said of the BIPV project, “We are very happy to see our high-quality solar panels being used in this landmark project, which will certainly raise public awareness and appreciation of renewable energy. We look forward to playing an increasingly bigger role in building China’s eco-friendly projects.”

Solar Powered Shanghai Hongqiao Station

This isn’t the first evidence of China’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energy. The Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station went on the grid in July 2010 with a 6.7 MW solar roof integrated into the building’s awnings. Yu Hailong, general manager of the China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP), the project’s developer, said in July that the BIPV technology will “help stimulate the development of solar energy in China and promote the construction of more environmentally friendly railway stations”. Yes, his prediction is coming to fruition.

Meanwhile, here in the U.S., many of our railway stations have been destroyed or are wallowing in urban decay, such as the Michigan Central Station in Detroit.

Michigan Central Station in Detroit

Perhaps pictures such as this could inspire decision makers in Washington to take a few notes on China’s use of both renewable energy and efficient forms of transportation.

[Via: Clean Technica]

VU1 ESL Light Bulb

Retailers are gearing up to meet deadlines for the incandescent light bulb ban. Ikea has already stopped selling the inefficient bulbs. And California has pulled the plug and is letting current supplies run down. Many incandescent lovers are shedding tears and hating on the mercury-containing CFLs and the more expensive (though infinitely more efficient) LEDs. So here come the ESLs. The VU1 Corporation has developed a light bulb using Electron Stimulated Luminescence that the company claims to be more efficient than incandescent, CFL, and LED bulbs.

Though using this patented technology in lighting is new, the science itself is by no means cutting edge. It works in the same way that a cathode ray television works- electrons stimulate phosphors inside the bulb to make them glow. The VU1 Corporation is marketing their bulbs as having the same light quality as an incandescent, yet up to 70% more efficient. They’re taking on the LEDs with a cheaper sticker price. And by not containing any mercury, they are a safer option over the CFLs.  They also have dimming capability and come on instantly, fit into a standard socket and have a similar shape to the Edison bulbs. Here is a comparison photo from the VU1 website:

VU1 Light Quality

Energy efficiency compared to an LED though is still in question. The VU1 bulb produces 30 lumens per watt, the equivalent of a 65 watt incandescent. LED technology continues to advance rapidly with some LEDs producing 3 times that many lumens per watt. And the LED holds the top spot when it comes to longevity. The VU1 bulb lasts 10,000 hours, while LEDs average 40,000-60,000 hours. Check out our guide to LEDs here.

Nevertheless, the ESL is an energy efficient and environmentally friendly lighting option and VU1 could find a nice slice of the light bulb market, especially as the incandescent bulbs leave the building. As stated in this report on Bloomberg, VU1 is in talks with two major retailers in the U.S. to begin selling the ESL bulbs. The bulb, which received UL certification in October, currently sells on the company’s website for $19.95.

[Via: Technology Review]