Archive for the ‘Greening’ Category
Goodbye, Disposable Battery
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
This has been coming for a while now, but: the disposable battery is on its death bed thanks to the heavy use of non-user-serviceable, cheap, rechargeable, and durable batteries in modern devices. But is this necessarily a good thing? Let’s analyze this.
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Saving Key Devices From Surges
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Due to a change in the type of power plug that ships with smaller devices (i.e. the “magic little boxes” that us integrators install for clients) in the past several years, said devices and power supplies are more apt to be wiped out by lightning and power spikes than older supplies in exchange for a lower manufacturing cost. However, with a simple change in how you merely plug it in, you can alleviate this key disadvantage AND lower your electricity bill in one fell swoop.
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How to Cut Electricity Costs (Without Spending Money)
Sunday, September 25th, 2011
Appalled by your electricity bill or just want to cut costs where you can in this horrendous economy? Well here are some energy management tips you can employ that cost little to nothing to implement, but save you loads on your electricity usage (which you can verify using our TED Energy Management products).
Most of these rules I myself use, and my power bill is $50.
City of Charleston's Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability
Thursday, August 4th, 2011
A Message from the City of Charleston’s Department of Planning, Preservation and Sustainability:
The “clean” or “green” economy is an important element of America’s emerging next economy. It will define our nation’s low carbon future while providing opportunity for workers at all levels of the income and skills distributions. In this report by Brookings, the clean economy is divided into 39 distinct segments, reflecting the economic activity involved in producing a broad spectrum of clean products, from goods such as wind turbines and solar photovoltaics to services such as mass transit and regulation. Read more to see how Charleston is ahead of the national averages in clean economy job growth. http://www.charleston-sc.gov/dept/content.aspx?nid=1655
Wireless Impacting Trees
Saturday, November 20th, 2010
An increasing number of electromagnetic radiation sources (WiFi, mobile phones, etc) could play a role in the deteriorating health of trees finds a Netherlands’ report conducted by Wageningen University and commissioned by the city of Alphen aan den Rijn [http://www.alphenaandenrijn.nl/]. Trees were exposed for more than three months to six sources of radiation [frequencies ranging from 2412 to 2472 MHz]. Leaves towards the radiation source during the study period showed a metallic luster appearance, a discoloration of the leaves that appeared to result in the disappearance of the outer cell layer of the leaves. This metallic luster was followed by desiccation and death of a portion of the leaf.
Fo additional insights, please read: Wi-Fi Makes Trees Sick, Study Says – PCWorld Business Center
Monitoring (electronically)
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
TED Monitor
TED (The Energy Detective http://www.theenergydetective.com/index.html) beta testing began today. It took about an hour to complete the hardware installation, the another hour or so for software and program setup. So far – so good… (more…)
Green Certified – So What
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Green Certified
Recently, a joint effort by two electronic industry groups released a “Home Technology Green Certification Reference Guide.” The report covered 17 different certifications programs, outlining their respective geographic constraints, dwelling type eligibility, independent testing, and costs. Ironic that this formalized structure (self authenticated in its importance) has been embraced by so many, so many willing to pay the price tag for certifying themselves. (more…)
Builders (Re-) Offering “Daisy-Chain” Communication Cabling
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Homebuyers Beware
According to an article posted on 3/12/2010 by CEPro, homebuilders are turning up their noses on almost every discipline of home technologies, seeing it as a passing phase. What do you expect?!?! (more…)
What Makes a Lighting Control System a Good Lighting Control System?
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
It’s Monday afternoon and the phone rings – an inquiry from one of our lighting control system representatives to see if we were available for a visit Tuesday. In preparation for their visit, it started me on a journey to define, “What makes a lighting control system a good lighting control system?” (more…)
Industry Links
- iPhone 5
Rumor: iPhone 5 with 4-inch screen expected this summer | Apple Talk - CNET News
- New Privacy Concerns
Google’s new privacy policy: Should you be concerned? — Tech News and Analysis
- Bye Bye iPod Classic
Apple may discontinue the iPod shuffle and classic | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog
- New Hacker Frontier
Companies See Opportunity in Stopping Cellphone Hackers - NYTimes.com
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In the News
Post and Courier - Electronic wizardry complements posh design at 7,200-square-foot Colonial revival on Bohicket Creek
CEPro (2010) - CEPro of the Week - Fred Fabian
CEPro (2010) - Should Integrators create their own apps?
Post and Courier (2010) - Memos & Distinctions
HTA - 2010 Mark of Excellence Finalists for Software App
2010 Mark of Excellence Finalists Revealed
2009 Mark of Excellence Winners Revealed at EHX Spring
Electronic House (2009) - Home gets High-Tech Overhall in just 2 weeks
Electronic House (2009) - Mountain of Technology Fills Mountainside Estate
Greater Charleston.com (2009) - eLifespaces
Post and Courier (2008) - McCradys and eLifespaces inspire praise
eLifespaces wins 2008 Mark of Excellence Ultimate Home of the Year Award at EHX
Inside eLifespaces Award Winning Install
Electronic House (2008) - Visionart helps keep Plasma hidden in history
Post and Courier (2007) - Businesses Move to Upper Meeting Street