Not everyone can completely redesign their home to be 100% energy-efficient, but there are a number of products that can help us track and manage our energy consumption. These gadgets are awesome!
The Belkin Conserve Smart Energy-Saving Power Strip is a “smart” power strip that cuts all power to devices non-energy needing devices, while continuing to supply electricity to things low-awareness devices, like DVRs. When the TV is turned off the strip knows to shut off power to other devices (DVD player, home-theater system) that are plugged into it as well, avoiding “vampire” power leakage ($30).
Also from Belkin, The Conserve Insight measures the energy draw of plug-in appliances. It allows you to pin point your worst power consuming products and estimate their cost, in dollars, kilowatts, or pounds of carbon dioxide ($30).
The YoGen Handheld Charger charges your cell phone, iPod or any tech toy with just the pull of a string! ($40).
This next eco gadget kills two birds with one stone! Store the energy generated by the rear wheel of your bicycle whenever you go for a ride exercise. Once the RollerGen Battery BOS is full, you can use it to power your gadgets through a couple of USB ports. A bit pricer than the others, at $135, but worth it in coolness points.
Every step towards cutting energy usage is a step towards creating a smaller footprint. What do you know about that we haven’t seen yet? Please let us know in the comments below.