This month, Modular builder Keiser Homes and architecture firm Kaplan Thompson Architects launched the net zero energy series of modular homes called the "Modular Zero Collection." These homes have been designed to use the smallest amount of energy possible and, if purchasers opt for solar hot water and solar photovoltaics, can produce as much energy as is consumed on an annual basis.
Plumen 001 has been shooting around the internet today (i.e., Good, Morin, Re-Nest). The designer CFL saves 80% on energy bills and lasts eight times longer than a regular incandescent. It’s an 11-watt bulb that outputs 680 lumens with a color temperature of 2700k. But it’s not available in the US until next year, and Plumen 002 is in the works. In any event, Plumen seems perfect for the exposed lighting situation pictured here.
Earlier this summer, GE launched the first product in its Brillion suite of home energy management solutions, the Nucleus. This is a data storage device that collects household electricity cost and use data and gives it to homeowners via computer and smart phones. Nucleus is expected to be available for consumer purchase in early 2011 for the price of $149-199.
Let’s just say you need to know how much power a certain device is using. You can do that with this new product from Belkin. Conserve Insight, available for pre-order on Amazon for $29.99, was designed to help consumers conserve energy. The energy monitor shows you how much a device costs in watts, dollars, and carbon dioxide using preloaded or custom rate information. Belkin also has three other Conserve gadgets available for pre-order should you have the need: Smart AV, Valet, and Socket.
If you’re looking to make the switch from incandescent to LED lighting, now may be a good time. The Home Depot struck a deal with the Lighting Science Group Corporation and is the exclusive seller of an affordable line of ECOSMART LED products. One bulb in the product line, the A19 LED 40-watt equivalent, sells for $19.97 each.
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