Power Saving Archives – The Green Optimistic

How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Vacation

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 09:59:52 +0000

For those that are environmentally conscious, there are many frustrations with the travel industry. Due to transportation emissions and lack of opportunities to practice environmentally friendly practices, it can be difficult to travel in a socially responsible way. Thankfully, there are many ways that the travel industry has shifted to provide eco-friendly options for travelers. […]

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How Remote Offices Can Help Companies Go Green

Ovidiu Sandru — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 17:52:08 +0000

Turning your home into your workplace doesn’t just mean going easy with your dressing and flexible timings. But it has some REAL impacts on our eco-system and numerous benefits for the businesses. Working from the remote offices can help the environment by cutting commutes, reducing traffic load on roads, and reduced waste. Going green is […]

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Energy Saving Tips to Save on Electricity Bills and Make Your Home Eco-Friendly

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 10:26:30 +0000

The world, as we all know it, is already suffering from the adverse effects of climate change. Unless we make drastic changes to corporate and government goals, there’s pretty much nothing we can do to mitigate it. However, you can take part in the green initiative by reducing your home’s carbon footprint and reducing your […]

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12 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

Matias Prieto — Fri, 31 May 2019 07:18:20 +0000

Summer vacations, even day-to-day commutes and other travels, can become costly pretty quick. Between hotel expenses, food, gasoline, entertainment expenditures and souvenirs, taking out a significant loan to cover your planned adventures may not be out of the question. Fortunately, simple actions can be taken to reduce these costs. One of those actions involves improving your fuel […]

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New Plasma Switch for More Efficient Long-Distance Power Transmission

Arsenij Percov — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 20:10:11 +0000

The General Electric (GE) company is developing an advanced plasma switch that will make a conversion of high-voltage DC to high-voltage AC more efficiently, enabling reduced-cost transmission of long-distance power. Additionally, substations along the power route will reduce the voltage of AC current to low-voltage before it reaches consumers’ devices. We use low-voltage alternating current […]

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This Energy-Saving Device Could Cut Your Bill by 70%

Arsenij Percov — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 19:54:11 +0000

If you have to pay a lot for electricity, it is bad for both you and the environment. In most of the cases, you do not have to use that much energy, but you just forget about something turned on, or do not think about it at all. So, how can you save some money […]

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Revolutionary Way to Mainstream Zero-Emission, All-Electric Buildings

Arsenij Percov — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 19:06:42 +0000

Since late 1970s, California has been a leader in building energy efficiency. However, state officials believe that much more can be done to make building eco-friendly and all-electric. California Energy Commission (CEC), the agency responsible for updating the state’s Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, hosted a workshop on the topic of pushing towards zero-emission […]

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Why Cryptocurrencies’ Energy Consumption Will Drop Dramatically

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 19:09:27 +0000

The massive energy consumption of bitcoin has been a hot issue as it is estimated to require more electricity than 159 countries. As a potential global currency, bitcoin could also potentially threaten our environment because of this energy requirement. However, this massive energy consumption of cryptocurrencies is expected to go down drastically. Why? Bitcoin Before […]

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3 Reasons to Reuse Old Clay Roof Tiles

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 05:38:45 +0000

Terracotta tiles are the oldest type of material used in building houses even before the time of Christ. These ceramic tiles can last a lifetime if made of high quality and make a good insulator of heat. Thus, it is not surprising to prevent wasting these tiles and instead, make the most out of them […]

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Bitcoin: Too Expensive and Hugely Energy-Consuming?

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:05:54 +0000

Created in 2009 by an unknown person, the virtual money generated and traded electronically called bitcoin introduced to investors and businessmen a method that allows transactions which exclude banks and government. This meant that money transfers can be done very quickly without paying bank fees and taxes. Not only that, but bitcoin owners are also […]

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How to Save Energy in the Kitchen

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:42:20 +0000

If you are on a tight budget, looking for more ways to cut costs or you just want to reduce more on your electric bills, and you think you have done all to save energy in your household, then you might want to consider these tips from Zero-Waste Chef. Fortunately, there’s still room for saving […]

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NYC Plans to Increase Its Buildings’ Energy Efficiency

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 23:09:17 +0000

Despite US President Donald Trumps’s refutation of the Paris Climate Agreement and doubts on climate change, Mayor Bill de Blasio drives New York City to lead the fight against this global crisis. “We’re not waiting on President Trump and his cabinet of deniers to address this crisis. It is a sad statement that the actions […]

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This is Nest’s New, Cheaper Smart Thermostat

Guest Contributor — Sat, 16 Sep 2017 07:41:55 +0000

Home automation is becoming more and more popular as companies are rolling out cheaper technology, and the new thermostat from Nest is a perfect example of this reality. While there are several devices which can be classified as home automation systems, not all are considered to be as useful as smart thermostats. They may not […]

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Flow Loop: a Water-Recirculating Shower That Recovers Heat

Janina Lazo-Cruz — Thu, 07 Sep 2017 18:36:54 +0000

Taking hot or cold showers consume a lot of water and energy even for just a few minutes compared to ordinary baths. Thus came the invention of recirculating showers that allow lesser water and energy consumption, but with an expensive price. A new, cheaper, and improved energy- and water-saving shower was designed by Flow Loop, […]

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Quilo – An Innovative and Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooler Hits Market

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 08:55:01 +0000

Evaporative air coolers are a very good energy efficient alternative to classic, freon air conditioners. In fact, our own bodies are cooled by transpiration through the same evaporative cooling effect. A New Jersey startup named Quilo is launching these days the device that they say will revolutionize cooling energy efficiency. How Quilo Works Quilo is […]

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Save by Using More Energy for Heating, Researchers Say

Courtney Lepping — Sat, 04 Jun 2016 20:21:21 +0000

There are ways to save money while using more energy to heat a building. The only condition: raise the heat during the nighttime. Aarhus University researchers created this environmentally-friendly, financially-winning system by using simulations and calculation models. Increasing the use of 10 percent more energy will save the same percentage on the heating bill. This […]

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Philips LED Tech Promises Efficient Crop Growth in Space

Mila Luleva — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 18:46:28 +0000

Philips brings us a step closer to growing crops in space in a highly efficient way, thanks to their latest LED technology. Everybody is talking about moving out of Earth and inhabiting a brand new planet. Of course, it is easier said than done. Not only we have to find ways to transport ourselves over […]

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Flushing Your Toilets With Harvested Rainwater Could Save the Planet

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 17:21:12 +0000

Water shortages are the worst nightmare of any city, and as summer is to come in a few months, they will be more likely to happen, at least in places like California. A team of researchers from Drexel University are encouraging people to harvest rainwater for flushing their toilets. They said that rain falling on cities […]

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Energy and Lives saved by Toyota’s New Thermo-Tect Lime Green Paint

Natalie Pullen — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 04:46:26 +0000

As a road runner I know just how vital visibility is. Safety should remain paramount above fashion. Thankfully running apparel and fashion trends appear to have turned safety conscious. The rather gordy, luminous and highly visible neon colours are currently very trendy. It hasn’t always been the case. Similarly, cars sell on fashion and marketing. […]

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New Material Promises Fast Energy Saving Electronics

Mila Luleva — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 20:29:56 +0000

Scientists developed a new one-atom thick material that allows fast movement of electrical charges. It can boost performance of electronics, while saving power. Scientists from University of Utah have developed a new type of 2D material, which has the potential to revolutionize electronics as we know them. The team claims that this new semiconductor allows charges to […]

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5 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy at Home

Guest Contributor — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 18:15:09 +0000

The average homeowner spends more than $100 a month on energy bills, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Most people know to turn down the thermostat and shut off lights to save money and energy, but there are other simple and affordable solutions you can make around your home to cut costs and become […]

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GE Bets on Smart LED Lightbulbs, About to Ditch CFLs

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 20:17:31 +0000

GE, one of the world’s most important lightbulb maker, has decided that they need to shift to LED lighting already, in a decision that’s very detrimental to not-so-old CFLs. It’s now been long since I’ve seen people reinventing the lightbulb and betting on new tech like crazy. Each lightbulb technology has its pluses and minuses. […]

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Top 4 Energy Drains in US Households (and How to Greenify Them)

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 17:16:27 +0000

You only have so many hours in the day, so it makes sense to look at the biggest energy wasters in your home before dealing with the smaller issues. According to Mozo, saving electricity is easy once you figure out what appliances are raising your bill the most. Take care of these issues and enjoy […]

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Drumi, Pedal Powered Washing Machine, Ready to Pre-Order

Mila Luleva — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:28:15 +0000

Drumi, the pedal-powered washing machine, which looked too good to be true, is now available to pre-order. The concept behind no-electricity washing machines has been around for quite some time now. It has attracted quite a bit of attention because it is not only relevant for eco-conscious people around the world, but also because it […]

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Hamwells, Guilt-free Luxury Shower Saves Water and Energy

Mila Luleva — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:26:20 +0000

Hamwells guilt-free shower saves 80% energy and 90% water by filtering and recirculating used water, without having to sacrifice the luxurious feel. Since the water crisis in California became noticeably severe even for the biggest deniers and non-believers, we have covered here quite a number of ways in which every household can save some precious water. […]

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4 Ways to Use Less Energy at Home

Annika Tostengard — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:56:03 +0000

The Department of Energy has several recommendations as to how homeowners can use less energy and save on their energy bills, especially during the winter when heaters are often on full blast. Homes in the United States have also grown about 30% larger since 2000 while using just 2% more energy, thanks to much-improved materials […]

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New Battery Drain App Program Can Benefit Developers and Customers

Michelle Lutz — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 16:10:39 +0000

Mobile Enerlytics, a Perdue-related startup has created a program designed to optimize battery usage. Creating the App Energy Challenge has allowed developers of apps to send problems to Enerlytics to be analyzed and sent back to the developers with all the data and solutions to the issue. The Challenge – The developers can send the app […]

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Smart LED Street Lights Provide Efficient Lighting and Wireless Connectivity

Mila Luleva — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:20:09 +0000

Energy efficient smart LED street lights, integrating technology from Philips and Ericsson, will provide both light and 4G wireless to boost cellular data traffic. Philips and Ericsson, two of the biggest tech giants in recent years, have joined forces to upgrade regular street lights to “smart”. One hundred of their new generation street lighting systems […]

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How to Green Up Your Home Security Systems

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:13:33 +0000

Imagine this: small white fence, nice green lawn, some trees, a quite little and cozy house with two of three bedrooms, a nice handcrafted stone alley, a big red door, flowers everywhere, a swing entrance door. This might be my home, your home, or everyone else’s home. This is the place where families gather and […]

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Battery Storage On The Grid Becoming Reality Thanks to Electric Vehicles

Michelle Lutz — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 05:21:19 +0000

With the number of EV vehicles erupting across the market, the increase in numbers has given rise to find something to do with the units that are left. There is an 8-10 year lifetime in an EV battery, even though the battery isn’t completely drained. The unit cannot necessarily push a vehicle down the road, […]

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Efficient Shower Head Uses 70% Less Water, Feels Just as Good

Annika Tostengard — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 04:32:31 +0000

e-Shower is an Australian company that has developed a new, more efficient shower head. While there are many low-flow shower heads available on the market, none of them feel quite as good as traditional shower heads. The e-Shower head feels great and saves 70% of water and cuts back on the energy needed to heat […]

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New Technology Recovers Energy from London’s Underground

Mila Luleva — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:39:52 +0000

New hybrid technology, tested on London’s underground system, can recover enough energy to power busy stations and lead to great energy savings. The underground system in London is one of the busiest in the world with over a billion passengers boarding the fast trains on annual basis. Unfortunately, the great popularity and convenience of this […]

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Circo, Zero Electricity Dishwasher that Works in a Minute

Mila Luleva — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 04:42:29 +0000

New compact dishwasher uses minimal amount of water and requires no electricity while doing the dishes in just a minute. Dishwashers are the one and only kitchen appliance, which make sense not only in terms of protecting the environment by saving water, but also by cutting down the tedious load of household duties. However, as water […]

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SALt Lamp Provides Light Using Only a Glass of Salt Water

Mila Luleva — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 20:00:13 +0000

SALt LED lamp can provide light in the most remote places using only a glass of salt water. In many parts of the world, the most simplest of gadgets can make the biggest difference. Projects, such as the WakaWaka lights, and the similar initiatives in Haiti are already providing more than enough evidence for that. […]

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ZEF Climatic Table, Zero Energy Alternative to Air-Conditioning

Mila Luleva — Wed, 20 May 2015 19:23:33 +0000

ZEF Climatic Table is the one and only table that controls the temperature in the room without using any electricity. Air-conditioning systems are undoubtedly some of the most energy-consuming techs around the house or the office. As soon as the temperature goes just that little bit above normal and the air-con is on, as if […]

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New Self-Powered Video Camera Can Work Indefinitely

Satya Sivani — Mon, 20 Apr 2015 08:34:49 +0000

World’s first self-powered video camera, which can convert the incident light from its object into its input power, was invented by a computer scientist, Shree K. Nayar at Columbia University. The scientists took advantage of the capability of a pixel photodiode to operate both in photoconductive and photovoltaic modes. It works in photoconductive mode while recording […]

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Q: Panasonic’s New Spherical Fan Revolutionizes Low-Power Cooling

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 06:17:20 +0000

When talking about cooling a room, people always think of air conditioners. Panasonic has recently unveiled its plans to produce an efficient spherical air blower that ejects seven times the wind it absorbs. Well, that may sound like wishful thinking, but Panasonic’s spherical air blower actually uses smart physics to do that. They called it “Q.” […]

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Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning System from MIT Knows Where You Are

Mila Luleva — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 13:31:30 +0000

MIT researchers are working on the ultimate energy-efficient air conditioning system that follows you around like a puppy, making sure that the space around you is as cool as you want it to be. We all know that air-conditioning (AC) systems are huge energy and water wasters. Yet, the moment temperature gets a bit higher than we […]

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5 Habits That Will Improve Your Home Energy Efficiency

Mila Luleva — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 12:48:45 +0000

Habits that ruin your home energy efficiency are easily acquired with all the daily tasks and duties we all have. However, energy-efficient homes have been trendy in the past few years, and people have been investing heavily into having good insulation or better building materials. Unfortunately, often, people do not even realize that they do […]

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Egloo Heats Up Your Room With Just Candles

Mila Luleva — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 11:31:42 +0000

The Egloo project, which offers candle heating for 10 cents a day, could slim the fat bill that will slip through the mail box at the end of the winter. You most probably know our two superb posts “how to heat up your room with just a candle” and “how to generate free heat“. These […]

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How to Go Green This Year Without Spending Extra

Mila Luleva — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:21:09 +0000

It is never too late to go green, and there is no better time than the New Year. Unfortunately, it is a common misconception that being eco-friendly means you should invest in solar panels, or an expensive electric car. Well, it is not true, and here are ten tips how to go green for free, […]

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New Material Cools When Exposed to Sunlight, Could Make Us Ditch Air Conditioning

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 12:30:48 +0000

A team of researchers at Stanford have invented a new and weird type of material that cools when exposed to sunlight. It could be used to insulate buildings, and reduce the need for energy-consuming air conditioning. The material, developed by Shanhui Fan, uses optical tricks to radiate heat whose frequency lies in our planet’s “thermal […]

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Photo-Luminescent Road Paint: The Future of Energy-Efficient Road Networks

Mila Luleva — Wed, 25 Jun 2014 15:56:25 +0000

Do you remember the Biobulb, the first ever electric light bulb to use an entire ecosystem as a source of light? Or maybe this one will ring a bell- the super cool illuminating art design, that also uses bacteria to flicker in the dark? If you thought that this is the only scale at which luminescent technology could […]

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General Motors Meets the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry

Benji Jerew — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 15:52:50 +0000

The ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry, run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is an encouragement for corporations to improve efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment. Part of the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry is to reduce energy intensity by 10% over five years, with multiple benefits to environment and industry. Of course, […]

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Toyota Claims Manual Labor is More Efficient than Automation

Benji Jerew — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:12:00 +0000

Industrial robots, such as those used by automakers, make it possible to automate many repetitive tasks that would require many hours of manual labor, but is it efficient? Toyota Motor Corporation found out the hard way that industrial automation is not as efficient as having real human beings doing the work. In the short run, […]

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Park Passive House is First in Washington State

Benji Jerew — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 13:49:32 +0000

What is a “passive house?” The idea has been around for about twenty years, building the world’s most-efficient homes. Perhaps better if I let someone else explain what a passive house is and where it all started, in 1991… The idea of the passive house is to significantly reduce energy expenditures in the home. Typical […]

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Reter: The Gadget That Helps Monitor and Cut Down Energy Usage

Mila Luleva — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 19:24:02 +0000

We often hear about the “next best thing”, which can miraculously lower our energy bills. Smart blinds, advanced building controls, you name it. Shame that very often it is the case that the makers of most of these gadgets are simply selling hot air. Now, something, which looks quite promising, and might well cost you […]

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Wood-Based Foam Provides Eco-Friendly Insulating Option

Mila Luleva — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:21:06 +0000

Everyone knows that good home insulation is the key to low energy consumption. This is of course great for our environment, as the less electricity is used, the less fossil fuels are burnt. Unfortunately, most of the insulation foams are based on petroleum and are not really environmentally friendly, which somewhat defeats the purpose. Now, […]

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Polar Bears Inspire The Development of New Ultra-Thin Insulating Material

Mila Luleva — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:53:21 +0000

One of the key ways to achieve maximum energy efficiency of your house is good insulation, this is a well-known fact. But it is a common misconception that a good layer of insulating material should always be thick and bulky and it would take quite a bit of our available space. A team of scientists from […]

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New Smart Blinds from Berkeley Could Cut Energy Bill in Half

Danny Harper — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 05:04:28 +0000

The quest for the perfect Smart House has brought some ingenious designs to the forefront, showing off ways to make your dwelling a convenient, comfortable and cost-effective habitat. The latest domestic addition takes the form of window blinds. Once simply used to keep sun from shining on those who want another 30 minutes of sleep, curtains […]

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World’s Smallest Laptop Adapter Could Increase Energy Efficiency

Danny Harper — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 07:33:39 +0000

The move to digital has been a win for the environment in many ways, but even with all the benefits that come with a reduction in many forms of traditional waste, electricity output per individual actually increasing. This makes the need for greater energy efficiency one of our most pressing concerns. The great minds at MIT are on […]

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Taxiing Green With Airbus A320’s Fuel-Efficient eTaxi System

Benji Jerew — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 12:32:49 +0000

In the air, the Airbus A320 passenger plane is one of the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft that airlines can invest in. On the ground, however, Airbus found a way to make at least the Airbus A320 series plane even more fuel-efficient, but not using the main engines. Of course, the only way that Airbus can […]

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London’s Heating System Powered by Energy Harnessed From the Tube

Mila Luleva — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:13:13 +0000

How many times have you been on an underground train feeling extremely warm and short of breath when at the same time outside winter temperatures are below freezing? The passengers of the London Underground experience this feeling at least once a day, every day of the week. The temperatures inside the busy trains get so […]

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Does Daylight Saving Time Really Cut Down On Our Energy Bills?

Mila Luleva — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 13:08:38 +0000

For most states in the U.S., except Hawaii and Arizona, daylight saving time (DST) was officially over this weekend. The clocks went one hour back, meaning we not only get one hour extra sleep in the morning, but we also get a bit more light. The whole concept of changing time was initially introduced to […]

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8 Affordable Ways to Weatherproof Your Home

Leigh Hutchens — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:57:50 +0000

Whether it is winter or summer, one thing is certain – the temperature outside your home doesn’t match the temperature within, and unless your home is properly sealed and you have weatherproofed windows, the conditions outside have a big chance of affecting the inside. A leaky house affects the consumption for your heating and air […]

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Neurio Appliance Turns Every Home into a Smart Home

Benji Jerew — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 21:43:36 +0000

We’ve all been told, “Don’t forget to turn out the lights when you leave the room.” A Smart Home is smart enough to do that, and more, on its own. Of course, turning off the lights when you walk out the door saves you energy, which is why smart homes could be the next big […]

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Laser-Based Lighting the New Alternative to LEDs

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 03:21:04 +0000

Research from the University of California, Santa Barbara has led to an alternative LED lighting that is just as bright, high-powered, and energy efficient, but powered by a laser diode and inorganic phosphors. The research was published in the journal AIP Advances. LEDs have advantages over incandescent lights, including a smaller size and greater durability […]

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Global Food Waste Carbon Dioxide Emissions Equivalent to Three Billion Cars

Benji Jerew — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:45:58 +0000

Ask anyone about carbon dioxide emissions and, depending on their field of interest, they may respond with changes facing the automotive industry, or perhaps power generation, food waste might be somewhat of a rarer conversation piece. The next time you go to a restaurant and leave food on the plate or you see that your […]

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NLiteN 2D-Lite Will be Cheapest LED Bulb at $3, Cheaper than CFLs

Benji Jerew — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 16:24:02 +0000

Thanks to its simplistic design, the NLiteN 2D-Lite could be the cheapest LED bulb replacement on the market, even cheaper than CFLs! LED bulbs are exceptionally efficient at lighting our homes. For example, the standard 100W incandescent bulb draws, well, 100W. Using the brightness, around 1,600 lumens, of the 100W incandescent as a standard, we […]

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Fog Harvesting Yields Potable Water More Efficiently, MIT [Video]

Benji Jerew — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:25:28 +0000

There are many places in the world that have limited sources of potable water, whether because of limited rainfall or polluted water sources. Without sufficient potable water, the health of possibly billions of people remains at risk. For example, Lima, Perú, is the second-largest capital city located in a desert. With a population of 8.5 […]

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iPhone Consumes More Energy Than a Kitchen Appliance, Report Claims

Mila Luleva — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 18:56:00 +0000

Every one of us, or most of us anyway, has a cell phone. Regardless of whether we recycle regularly, grow our own food or have a bio-composter in our back garden, we always fall back to that little gadget of ours, which keeps us connected to the world. A recent study, however, established something that […]

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High Energy Demand Calls For High Energy Efficient Network Technologies

Mila Luleva — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 18:17:24 +0000

Developing a next-generation energy efficient core networks is the only solution to meeting the growing energy demand created as a result of current advances in technological developments. This is the conclusion of a round-table event organized by the Institute for Energy Efficiency at University of California, Santa Barbara, where leading members from the academia, government […]

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Belkin Echo Electricity Allows for Itemized Utility Bills, Saves Power

Benji Jerew — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:56:30 +0000

Home energy efficiency can be a difficult thing to tackle, when there are so many ways that a home can be INefficient. One way to improve could be to get a better understanding of where our energy goes. We already know that installing insulated windows or improving the insulation in our homes can improve our […]

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How Solar Panels Cool Building Roofs While Generating Green Electricity

Mila Luleva — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 13:46:36 +0000

Solar panels, when mounted on a building roof, not only generate electricity, but they also create a cooling effect, according to researchers from University of California, San Diego. Quite a number of materials and methods have been explored to keep buildings cooler during the summer months. Energy efficient strategies include planting of trees, which cast […]

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How to Increase The Fuel Efficiency of Any Car

Mila Luleva — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 15:42:35 +0000

Earlier this week The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) initiated a campaign, which encourages eco-friendly driving. By providing various green driving tips, the organizers hope to help drivers reduce fuel consumption and get closer to the official miles per gallon (MPG), reported by the automakers. Some of the best efficient driving techniques outlined […]

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U.S. Energy Efficiency Increasing Slightly, ACEEE Study Shows

Benji Jerew — Fri, 05 Jul 2013 16:20:44 +0000

According to research just completed by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy [ACEEE], in spite of climate change legislation, the US has made only moderate progress in maximizing energy efficiency across the board. But wait, “Our vehicles are more energy efficient than ever before!” you may counter, and you’d be absolutely right. As […]

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How to Make Your Office Greener and Cut Energy Bills

Mila Luleva — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 16:33:29 +0000

The financial crisis, which began in 2008 and is still picking up speed in many countries around the world, clearly affects the small businesses. It is ironic that especially these are in the core force behind a strong economy introducing job opportunities and innovative products. Currently, the success of a small business depends mainly on […]

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Green Purchases Motivated by Money And Not Saving the World

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 00:53:35 +0000

Good news! More and more Americans care about energy efficient products. Over 50% of Americans have bought energy efficient appliances, 61% say they want an automobile that gets more than 30 mpg, and the majority of people are switching to energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. According to a new report from Yale and George Mason […]

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Berkeley Study Proves Cloud Computing is Truly Green

Ovidiu Sandru — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:26:36 +0000

Cloud computing has been advertised lately as the way to go if you want to show off with your green IT achievements. A new report from Berkeley Lab now proves this is true and you can even calculate how green would your company’s IT infrastructure be if you switched to cloud computing. The publicly available […]

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Shape-Sorting Compound Could Reduce Fuel Prices, University of California Says

Benji Jerew — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:39:26 +0000

Supply and demand have some effect on fuel prices, but there are a lot of intermediate steps that go into the price you pay at the pump. Of course, it starts with how much it cost to initially extract petroleum from reserves underground. Transportation overseas and rail and by truck add to costs, and then […]

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Increased Energy Efficiency Could Cut Wireless Data Power Consumption by 90%

Benji Jerew — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:14:14 +0000

Take a look at your mobile device. Other than worrying about battery life and data plan overages, have you ever thought about the energy efficiency [or lack thereof] of the network itself? In our ever-increasingly connected world, many have come to rely on mobile data delivered by mobile-phone networks delivered to tablets, laptops, and smartphones. […]

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Energy Efficient Lighting Industry Blooming in 2013

Mila Luleva — Thu, 02 May 2013 17:52:23 +0000

The 2012 Energy-Efficient Lighting Industry survey conducted by the leading manufacturer Precision-Paragon was released last week, indicating that the industry expects growth in energy-efficient lighting revenue in 2013. More than 4,000 energy efficiency professionals took part in the annual survey. In the past few years, these experts have been extremely accurate in their predictions. Hence, the […]

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Window Socket Sticks to Windows and Solar-Powers Gadgets

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:10:01 +0000

Ever wanted to harness that free energy coming from the Sun and put it into your gadget? If this project succeeds, all you have to do it plug the cord into your window, and the thing will charge! Sounds weird, right? Not that weird, if you take into account that the Window Socket, designed by […]

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New LED Streetlight Reduces Light Pollution and Saves Energy

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:31:44 +0000

Light pollution is one of the biggest sources of pollution worldwide. Because some chemical processes that cleanse the atmosphere only occur in the dark, light pollution prevents these chemical reactions to happen, thus contributing to the chemical pollution throughout the next day and so on. New streetlights designed by scientists in Mexico and Taiwan are now […]

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How to Make a Bubble Wrap Window Insulation

Mila Luleva — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:01:28 +0000

Here we would like to show you how to improve your window insulation by using bubble wrap. Over the last few days we published a series of articles showing how to save energy and cut down electricity bills at home. Undoubtedly, the first step towards having an energy efficient house is to ensure that there is a good and […]

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How to Save Energy to Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint

Mila Luleva — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:45:21 +0000

We all hear the big plans politicians and environmentalists have to cut down greenhouse gas emissions, reduce carbon footprint, mitigate climate change and so on, but are we, as individuals, making that step towards saving our planet, or we are simply waiting for somebody else to do it for us? We, at The Green Optimistic, […]

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Calcium-Aluminum High Voltage Power Cables Could be Lighter and More Durable

Benji Jerew — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:42:45 +0000

We may never give high voltage power cables a second thought, but there’s a lot that goes into their construction that could be improved. High voltage cables are typically made from a steel core and an aluminum shell. Aluminum is the 4th-best conductor of electricity after gold, silver, and copper, but doesn’t make a good […]

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Definity Professional LED Lamp to Replace Incandescent Lamps

Mike Sandru — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:57:45 +0000

A brand new batch of LED lamps have been unveiled recently by Lighting Science Group Corporation with the hope that they would be the eventual replacement for conventional lighting systems. The LED lamp, known as the Definity Professional A19 LED lamp, has a lightweight aluminium CoolPoly construction that makes it more energy efficient, lighter, and […]

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NREL’s New Energy Efficient Data Center Going Live

Benji Jerew — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 22:14:19 +0000

With the growth of the internet and the inherent need for data storage, NREL’s new energy efficient data center makes perfect sense. Of course, who would you expect to install such a center except the National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL]? The role of the NREL isn’t only to develop renewable energy, but also more efficient […]

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7 Tips on How to Renovate Your Home Energy-Efficiently

Mila Luleva — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:55:43 +0000

Renovating your home is always a pleasant activity, especially when the end result brings joy and comfort to the whole household. At The Green Optimistic, we would like to show you a few steps that will help you enjoy the benefits well into the future. Remaining true to ourselves, our tips to a better home […]

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“Bipolar” LED Lamps Made from Recycled Wine Glasses

Mike Sandru — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:18:33 +0000

Unwanted wine glasses can now be turned into lovely LED lamps thanks to the Canadian designer Tat Chao. The “bipolar” lamps are created from two champagne flutes or wine glasses with detached bases that are joined together at their drinking ends. The Canadian collects these glasses through donations or used equipment shops after which the […]

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Long Working Hours Speed Up Climate Change

Mila Luleva — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:50:24 +0000

A new study reported by the Center for Economic Policy and Research shows evidence that cutting working hours could slow down climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The economist David Rosnick estimated that if factories and offices operate fewer hours a day, the energy usage will drop, and carbon emissions will be reduced. If […]

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How Supermarkets Could be More Energy-Efficient: Study

Mila Luleva — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:23:49 +0000

Imagine how much electricity is required to sustain a supermarket with numerous rows of refrigerators and hundreds of lamps that light up the huge space. Statistics show that big supermarket chains use around ten times the energy of a normal household. Now a new concept developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy […]

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Ten Times Longer Battery Life Thanks to New Semiconductor Material

Mila Luleva — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:46:24 +0000

Novel methods and materials that can be used in building integrated circuits have the potential to reduce power, which would ultimately lead to extending battery life of mobile applications up to 10 times. This was demonstrated by a team of researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology, international semiconductor consortium SEMATECH and Texas State University. […]

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NanoLight – The Most Energy-Efficient LED Bulb in the World

Mike Sandru — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 07:59:11 +0000

These days, when energy efficiency is the watch-word in purchasing electronics, it is even more evident when bulbs are the objects of such purchases. With the LED’s longevity and energy efficiency in reducing energy bills, it is no wonder they are so popular. That has led to Gimmy Chu, Christian Yan and Tom Rodinger’s creation […]

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Department of Energy Sponsors Contest to Find Top Energy-Saving Monitors

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:05:15 +0000

In an effort to lessen electricity usage, the US Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the International Clean Energy Coalition, is sponsoring a contest to find the more efficient energy-saving monitors. This initiative is part of the Clean Energy Ministerial that was launched in 2010 – a global forum launched by the DOE and […]

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Ford’s New MyEnergi Lifestyle Reduces Energy Bills and Carbon Footprint

Mike Sandru — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:51:03 +0000

Ford recently introduced its MyEnergi Lifestyle project which indicates how integrating plug-in vehicles with renewable energy sources and home appliances can help a family decrease their energy bills as well as reduce their carbon footprint. Together with SunPower, Eaton, and Whirlpool, the technology is being introduced at this week’s International CES in Vegas. Partnering with […]

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Micro Antenna Boosts Mobile Connectivity and Battery Life

Benji Jerew — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 19:40:26 +0000

Are mobile phones and other wireless personal electronic devices green? While we don’t boast how big our gasoline-powered mobile phone generators are, we have to realize that these devices suck up a lot of energy. Generated by power plants, the electricity powering our mobile devices is hardly clean, and when you consider there are billions […]

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Improved Filter for Treating Olive-Processing Wastewater

Benji Jerew — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:17:58 +0000

Olives and olive oil have been touted for centuries as part of a healthy diet, benefits including lowering blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, as well as defense against certain types of cancer. In order for these products to make it to your table, though, a certain amount of processing is required, which […]

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Philips Overhauls Main LED as A19 LED which is more Efficient and Good Looking

Mike Sandru — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:51:39 +0000

Philips, the lighting producer has just introduced an updated version of its highly successful 12.5W LED bulb. As one of the most sought-after A19 LEDs on the market, the 60W-equivalent lamp comes at a cost of $20-25, and is also the standard for the LED lighting for the consumer. Currently, the A19 LED is replacing […]

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Research Team Aims to Make Tungsten Light Bulbs a Viable Option

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:48:46 +0000

Photonic crystals are periodic optical nanostructures that are designed to affect the motion of photons, similar to the way the periodicity of a semiconductor crystal affects the motion of electrons. Photonic crystals are very useful for increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by absorbing light at certain optimal wavelengths thanks to their ability to control […]

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Radical Tire Design Reduces Overall Vehicle Drag

Benji Jerew — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 07:41:10 +0000

One might assume that a smooth surface is the most aerodynamic, which is why keeping cargo off the roof rack gives you better gas mileage. However, with an entire vehicle, when considered as a system, aerodynamics becomes a little more complicated. Some automakers, such as Toyota, have added additional panels under the body, both smooth […]

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Online Tool Helps Saving Energy and Reducing Carbon Footprint

Mila Luleva — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 20:13:24 +0000

The U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and EcoLayers developed a tool that helps property owners estimate the benefit of planting trees in terms of energy saving and carbon footprint reduction. It is an online tool that uses Google Maps […]

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New Computer Memory from UCLA is 1,000 Times More Efficient

Benji Jerew — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 20:52:28 +0000

Computer memory is a vital component to any system build, making high-powered applications, including graphics, video, and gaming, a possibility. Random Access Memory [RAM] modules offer storage of temporary computer data, up to 32 GB on some systems, at a much faster rate than accessing a hard drive. Typical RAM access times range in the […]

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New Flight Control System Increases Fuel Efficiency

Benji Jerew — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 14:19:26 +0000

Even if you can’t afford to purchase a fuel efficient vehicle, you can still maximize your fuel efficiency by driving intelligently. Avoiding overspeed, keeping your vehicle maintained, proper tire pressures, and use of accessories can all have a great influence on your final fuel economy. As it turns out, the same can be said for […]

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Douglas Spruce and Firefly Genes Mix for Non-Electric (But Weird) Christmas Glow

Benji Jerew — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:47:34 +0000

Genetic engineering, of course, is nothing new. If you include cross-breeding and crop segregation, then the practice is actually millenniums old. Such engineering, whether by artificial selection or actual gene splicing, has resulted in practical applications, such as disease-resistant crops. Otherwise, the changes might be more aesthetic, such as in 1986, when geneticists spliced the […]

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Toshiba Provides Solution to Smartphone Power Consumption

Mila Luleva — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 20:40:00 +0000

A brand new technology by Toshiba Corp will cut down the power consumption of smartphones and tablet computers. The Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic Random Access memory, or STT-MRAM, uses non-volatile cache memory, which switches off the power supply automatically if the gadget is not in operation. Traditional STT-MRAM is currently used for cache memory, but […]

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FIPEL Polymer Lighting Technology Better, Healthier and Cheaper than CFL

Leigh Hutchens — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:34:23 +0000

Scientists at the Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials at Wake Forest University in North Carolina have found a lighting solution that is equivalent to LEDs and more efficient than compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. And, thankfully, it produces more pleasant light than either. Gone, too, is the annoying buzz of the fluorescent light that has […]

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New Window Reduces Need for Artificial Lighthing of Office Buildings

Mike Sandru — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:32:46 +0000

While natural light can be used at building structures, to get into the rooms that are on the surface of the construction, MIT started a project (that was developed later on at EPFL), designing windows that conduct natural light into the depths of buildings. This technology is implemented into six floors of a modern building […]

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New Reflective Pavements Increase Building Temperatures and Electricity Bills

Mila Luleva — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:14:05 +0000

On 29th of October, the new Journal of Urban Climate published a study which indicated that replacing old, heat-trapping paving materials with newer and cooler ones could increase electricity bills of neighboring buildings. According to the authors, the new materials lower the temperature of the place where they are used. Jan Kleissl, one of the […]

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