Technology
Ingezonden door Live Earth op 24 oktober, 2008 - 09:15
Did you know that electronic devices burn excess energy when not in use?
Even when switched "off," appliances and accessories like chargers for mobile phones, digital cameras, power tools, and television monitors continue to draw power as long as they are plugged into an outlet. This "phantom energy" use accounts for up to 10 percent of an individual's electricity use... that could be around $200 dollars per year for a typical home.
Here are a tips to combat the phantom load:
- Unplug to save money! To make it easier you can also plug all devices into a surge protector that can be clicked on and off. Real Simple states, “Sixty to 80 percent of the electricity [TVs and DVDs] use is consumed while they’re idle.” Yikes!
- Get organized! Store all chargers in one location and just retrieve when needed and return when item is fully charged. If they are plugged in, they are sucking up electricity whether charging a device or not.
- Buy energy-efficient appliances. A list of products can be found at EnergyStar.gov.
Ingezonden door Live Earth op 15 oktober, 2008 - 15:35
Everybody's buzzing about Apple's brand new MacBook. Inside the Mac notebooks' updated, chic design is one of the greenest laptops in the industry, according to Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, who highlighted the company's commitment to advancing sustainable technology in his 2008 Environmental Update.
The MacBook's all-aluminum case and glass screen are recyclable. All internal components are BFR- and PVC-free and Apple eliminated mercury and arsenic from the MacBook display as part of its commitment to phase out the use of toxic chemicals.
The new MacBooks are lighter and slimmer, allowing a 41% cut on packaging and decreasing the carbon footprint of the product's entire life.
The MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air may be pricier than other laptops but by minimizing its impact on the environment, Apple's products are all the more attractive.
