Sunday, September 8, 2013

8 Technological Innovations that are Saving Earth's Resources

In the past few years, there's been a strong push toward creating a healthier environment for everyone. In doing so, people are inventing and making use of things in every walk of life that will be less harmful on the environment, and technology is the premiere sector where these innovations are occurring. Here are some technological innovations that are helping to save our planet's resources. 
Electric Cars
Once expensive and unaffordable (and also impractical), electric cars are now moderately priced. These cars run off of an electric charge. There are hybrids that, once the charge is depleted, switch to gas. If you're just driving around town, these cars are the perfect choice.
Normal cars are harmful because they use non-renewable energy. They also contribute to global warming. If you're worried about the impact to your electric bill, fear not - it costs less than £4 to fully charge your car. Some larger populated cities have stations where you can charge your car.
Recycling
Just a few years ago, recycling only applied to cans and bottles. Thanks to recent advances in technology, you can now recycle various products, like batteries, electronics and construction debris. When you're tired of your old computer and upgrade to the Lenovo touch table pc, you can recycle your old equipment. Some retailers offer extra incentives in the form of store credit or gift cards when you decide to recycle old electronics, so check with your local retailers to see if they're running an upgrade program.
Solar Power
Solar power is cheaper than ever, and since it doesn't have an impact on the environment, many companies are making use of it. Solar panels, solar boilers, and solar furnaces used to be extremely expensive, but thanks to advances in technology, are now very affordable.
Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs were used in households everywhere for many decades, but in recent years, compact fluorescent light bulbs have taken over. These compact fluorescent bulbs use a fraction of the energy that incandescent bulbs do. They cost £1 or £2 more than incandescent bulbs, but you'll save a lot more money in the long run. They're estimated to last roughly six or seven years, so you won't have to change it out any time soon.
Another alternative to incandescent light bulbs are LED light bulbs. These will run £9 or £10, but they're estimated to last 35,000 hours, or roughly four years if they were constantly lit. Since they're a bit pricier, they're out of some people's price range.
Egain
Egain forecasting combines technology with the green movement. With Egain, people are able to calculate building heat by calculating demand for heating energy in that building. The building, the weather conditions, the wind power and direction, and solar radiation are all taken into account.
Smart Thermostat
Thermostats have evolved! Newer smart thermostats store information about your schedule and integrate weather forecasts, so if it's cold outside, you'll come home to a warm house. It can be controlled by a computer or an app and accessed from a smartphone or tablet. Smart thermostats are estimated to reduce electricity bills annually by 30 percent. The downside to all of this is that these smart thermostats can run as high as £160, but you can potentially save much more than that.
Power Adapters
We're all guilty of leaving our phones plugged in, even when they're fully charged. With Green Plug, that's a thing of the past. Working off of USB chargers, Green Plug determines how much power the device needs. After that device is fully charged, the power is cut off to that device. This simple invention could cut up to £119 off of your energy bill each year.
Energy Star Products
There's a wide array of energy star products out on the market. From refrigerators to washers and dryers, LG seems to have covered everything. The Energy Star line is extremely popular, and for good reason — they cut down on your electric bill dramatically. An Energy Star refrigerator alone is estimated to cut your bill by 15 percent. Washers and dryers cut back on energy use by a staggering 50 percent. If you outfit your entire flat with Energy Star appliances, you're sure to save a fortune!
Technology is advancing at a blazingly fast rate, and with advances in technology comes better, more energy efficient vehicles and appliances. Whether you're out in the world or relaxing at home, getting any of these eight products will reduce your electricity consumption. Which green items are helping you cut back on electricity? Are there any that you're looking to pick up in the future?

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