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Gadgets that help save energy

BLOOMBERG NEWS

May 4, 2008

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Conserving energy has never been more important. These energy-saving products can help cut costs and reduce environmental impacts. Every little bit counts.

Measure juice use

Kill A Watt EZ, about $50 from New York-based P3 International Corp., can measure how much power is used by "vampire appliances." For instance, in one test at home, the Kill A Watt showed that a 13-year-old microwave oven uses a nominal 4 watts in standby mode and to power the tiny clock on the front. A power strip feeding a digital video recorder and plasma TV were using a substantial 70 watts on standby.

According to the Kill A Watt EZ, the microwave costs about 33 cents a month or $4.06 per year, to stay plugged in, while the DVR and TV together run about $5.59 a month, or $68.08 per year. The device is a great tool for determining what should be unplugged to save energy. For more, see

p3international.com.

Smart surge protectors

Some surge protectors can automatically shut off standby power.

The Isolé IDP-3050 Plug Load Control, about $90 from Watt Stopper/Legrand, based in Limoges, France, is an eight-outlet power strip with a separate motion sensor, about the size of computer mouse. When a user is no longer in the area, it automatically shuts off power to six of its eight outlets. For more, see wattstopper.com.

Smart Strip LCG3, $42 from Bits Ltd. in Northport, uses a control outlet to automatically switch devices off and on. It has 10 outlets: Three red outlets are always on, one blue outlet is the control, and six power off when the device on the control outlet is turned off. In one application, a computer was plugged into a control outlet. Shutting down the PC prompted the Smart Strip to cut power to outlets used for monitor, speakers, printer and desk lamp. After the shutdown, the PC still drew standby power while plugged into the control outlet. For more, see bitsltd.net.

Solar savers

A solar charger is an efficient way to recharge the battery on your iPod, cell phone or GPS. A few can charge a camera or laptop. In general, these solar panels charge a built-in battery during the day, and you plug your portable device into the panel's battery and charge it with or without sunshine.

Solar Style Inc.'s charger is about the size of a wallet and opens like a clamshell. For more, look up Solar Style SC002 Full Kit, $56, at solarstyle.com.

Better Energy Systems Ltd.'s Solio Magnesium Edition, $200, has three small finlike panels that open up like a fan. See solio.com.

Voltaic Systems Inc.'s solar-panel-equipped backpack, $249, comes with 11 adapter tips to charge different types of devices. This summer Voltaic will offer a bag called Generator ($599) that promises to have enough power to charge a laptop. Each solar panel requires 4 to 10 hours of sunlight to charge its battery. A cell phone or an iPod typically charges within a few hours. Depending on a portable's power needs, the panels may not have enough juice to provide the maximum charge. Go to voltaicsystems.com.

The Brunton Solaris, $208- $409, made by Brunton Inc. of Riverton, Wyo., lets you charge portables directly from a solar panel. You can also use the panel to charge up a Brunton Solo battery pack, $65- $648, that would then charge other devices. Output depends on the size of the solar panel, ranging from 6 to 52 watts, which Brunton says is enough to charge a laptop, DVD player or a car battery. See brunton.com.