Velux makes some great products for drawing natural light indoors. The company recently introduced a new, low-profile, flat-glass Sun Tunnel skylight at IBS 2011, and it will be available later this year. Already in use in Europe, the new skylight trades the bulbous, dome-style, roof model for a sleek, more modern, less noticeable look.
If you’re thinking about collecting rain at home, there’s a chance this product — the RainPerfect solar-powered pump system — could come in handy. Once you have rainwater in the barrel, you’ll want to get it out and that can be done with the help of solar energy, a pump, and a garden hose.
Some folks are stockpiling light bulbs in anticipation of the future phase-out of standard incandescents, according to USA Today. It seems hoarders are doing it for one or two reasons: cost and/or lighting concerns. But these shouldn’t be concerns. With a little bit of math (initial cost + operating cost) and an understanding of basic lighting terms (lumen, watt, color accuracy, color temperature), I think the switch is a no-brainer. So here’s a five-step program for the hoarder:
In my experience, it seems most people compare appliance models based on cost, appearance, and brand. Some individuals consult the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label for estimated operating cost and energy use information. Others research models online through the Energy Star products database.
But there’s a new resource for locating the most energy efficient products on the market: Top Ten USA.
Cree, Inc., manufacturer of the popular LR6 LED downlight, just announced a new light bulb. The company unveiled “the brightest, most-efficient, LED-based A-lamp that can meet Energy Star performance requirements for a 60-watt standard LED replacement bulb.“ Cree attributes the bulb’s performance to TrueWhite technology and a patented remote-phosphor technology.
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