The Modlet
If you've got an appliance that has a light that's always on, you're burning unnecessary
electricity, and that means it's also costing you money. Enter the Modlet. This
device plugs into your wall socket and your appliance/device (two per Modlet) plugs
into it. Get on your computer and set the system to turn everything off — completely
— when not in use. A commercial starter kit runs around $335 (single consumer versions
are due to go around $50 in time for the holidays) and comes with five Modlets,
a USB receiver, and software that reports savings, enables remote access and scheduling,
and displays real-time usage (a Mac version is due in the fall). From www.thinkeco.com.
Eco Sound and Healthy
Lots of inveterate water consumers use stainless steel water bottles. The main problem
with any reusable bottle, stainless or plastic, has always been how to know for
certain you've got the thing cleaned after use...the bottle mouths are usually too
darn tight to ascertain cleanliness. Seattle Sports Company has come up with a novel
means of addressing the problem. Their H2Duo stainless steel bottles feature a screwoff
upper half allowing you to easily fill your bottle with ice and give it a proper
scrubbing. The top and bottom pieces of the bottle can also be used as two separate
cups – the bottom a normal shaped drinking cup, and the top a wine glass sized goblet.
$17.95 from Seattle Sports Company;
www.seattlesportsco.com.
Clean and Green
If you spend any amount of time outdoors you know that you need to spiff up now
and again. And you also know — or should — that just about all commercially available
soap products and cleansers aren't exactly good for the environment. Well, they
make stuff that addresses both concerns and one very good product is Aqua Lather,
a salt- and freshwater body gel and shampoo. The specially-formulated gel works
up to a rich lather in saltwater, hard water, brackish or chlorinated water, and
is ideal for swimmers, boaters, campers, hunters, and gardeners. It leaves no residue
behind, has a light, natural fragrance, the pH-neutral gel counteracts salt, sun,
and wind damage, and won't harm hair or skin no matter how often used. Also great
for dishes and clothes, the gel is non-polluting and biodegradable. Available in
five-ounce bottles. Around $6.99 from Davis Instruments; www.davisnet.com.
Well, It Could Save Gas
Have that occasional need to open your locked front door but you're at the office,
on the road, or lolling at the beach? Well, rather than jump in the car — and assuming
you have a smartphone — why not invest in a Lockitron? The Lockitron works by sending
a signal from your phone through the company's servers to a small device that plugs
into your internet router. This in turn talks to your door telling it to lock or
unlock. Lockitron is compatible with the most popular lock styles. You can order
a Lockitron Self-Install Kit for your through-hole deadbolt, doorknob, or door handle.
It works with virtually all types of doors, operates from any internet-enabled smartphone.
Cost is $295 and includes a base-station, USB remote fob, deadbolt or doorknob/handle
unit (in a variety of finishes and styles), installation instructions, power cable,
network cable, plates, screws, and screwdriver. From Apigy, Inc.; www.lockitron.com.
Light It Up
As any boater can tell you the easiest way to find Montauk Point is to make a left
turn as soon as you stop seeing clusters of deflated mylar balloons celebrating
birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, undying love, etc., floating in the water. Besides
being an eyesore, they're dangerous to ocean critters. There's a simple solution:
paper lanterns that the Chinese and other Asian cultures have used for what seems
like forever. The best source of eco-friendly ones we know is Wishlantern (www.wishlantern.com), which offer an Eco Wish Lantern line.
The lanterns are made of rice paper, bamboo, fire-retardant wool string (instead
of wire) and recycled candle wax – all biodegradable. Prices are around $25 for
a five pack and you can also buy lots by the hundred.
Thar She Blows
If you're at all interested in wind power technology, here's a nifty way to get
a real one up and running without spending a fortune. No, it won't power your home,
but it can provide up to 400 watts of power for a variety of uses. Sunforce (yes,
they do solar too) has a 12 volt/400 watt/27 amp package that has everything but
the tower. The generator is a mere 27 x 15 x 9 inches in size (L x W x H), it's
quiet, has carbon fiber blades, a cast aluminum body (weight is 17 pounds), has
but two moving parts, is weatherproof, and comes with three-year warranty, all for
around $450. From Sunforce;
www.sunforceproducts.com.
We Know It's Cool...You Still Can't Get It
We all know how much electricity air conditioning sucks up. Well, leave it to the
Japanese to figure out a way to cool themselves off with nary an investment in voltage.
They've invented a gel and a foam (two different products) that you spray directly
on your body. The gel can be formed into shapes like necklaces, bracelets, etc.,
while the other fizzes then dissipates and can drop down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
No telling whether these things are actually safe to use, and you can only get them
in Japan, but for more info and a video on Hokkyoku Monogatari (the gel) or Ice
Spark go to www.japantrends.com.
Crush It
If you're into recycling — and most of us are — then you gotta' have this product.
The Crusher's not new, and like most good ideas it's simple, it's inexpensive (MSRP
is $23.10), and it'll last for a looooong time. It's set to work for aluminum cans;
place the can on the tray, pull the door shut, and presto...your can is now the thickness
of an iPhone ... talk about saving space! Great for summer when guests (and relatives
you didn't know you had) spend every weekend on the East End "dropping in." There's
a six-can Multi Crusher version also available for a MSRP of around $31. Available
at many large retailers such as Ace Hardware, Sears, Amazon, and True Value. From
Pacific Precision Metals; www.pacificpm.com.
Charge It
Batteries are nasty critters to dump into our ecosystem, but everything runs on
them, especially if you have kids around. The best rechargeables are the new hybrid
Nickel-Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) cells. They come fully charged just like your regular
batteries (alkalines) and can hold their charge for months (making them great for
things like flashlights). Sanyo's eneloop batteries seem to be the cream of this
new crop of batteries. Sanyo says their AAs charge fully in 230 minutes and the
AAAs in 135. As for a charger, buy the eneloop starter kit for an MSRP of $37.99.
You'll get a fourposition charger, eight AA eneloops, two AAA eneloops, C and D
cell "spacers" that allow you to power C and D devices with AAs, and a carrying
case. From Sanyo; us.sanyo.com.
Keep it Dry (When It's Wet)
Nothing's worse than watching a lawn sprinkler system spit water out during a monsoon.
It's not only dumb looking, but it's an absolute waste of a scarce commodity: fresh
water (especially since all you're doing is growing grass so you can cut it and
grow it some more!). Do yourself and the environment a favor; if you have an automatic
sprinkler system, get a rain sensor. These gadgets aren't new, but they're increasingly
sophisticated, and they work. Hunter's Rain-Clik Wireless Sensor is — well, duh,
it's wireless, so it won't pose a set up problem for even the least-handy lawn owner.
MSRP is around $99, but check the prices at Sprinkler Warehouse; www.sprinklerwarehouse.com.
