Technology Archives - Page 4 of 7

What is the Next Step for Home Furniture and Appliances?

Furniture and appliances have been designed with the same technology for hundreds of years. In the past, a bed was just a tool for sleeping.

In today’s technology-advanced and greener world, however, it is no surprise that the furniture and appliances of today are more technologically advanced than ever before.

In fact, the new trend uses “smart” technology to enhance the usability and technology for all users with a new twist. Take a look at some of these smart designs used in the world today to help people live in a more environmental-friendly home:

Tech-Ready Furniture

Since gadgets are such a part of our lives in the modern world, it is hardly surprising that new furniture designs reflect this fact. That is why many new furniture pieces are tech-ready. Much of our furniture is produced in countries such as Poland and Belarus, and to be honest, these peoples’ craftsmanship and know-how (especially in Belarus with its rich culture and traditions) make for innovative and top-designed products.

The furniture contains places to hide plugs and cords, built-in charging stations and USB ports, and even wireless technology and chargers to eliminate the need for cords in your home. Some furniture pieces even have stations to control the electronics in your home.

Do Electric Vehicle Price Drops Signal Doom or Boom?

Consumers can expect lower prices on EVs (electric vehicles). Recently, Nissan lowered the Leaf’s price by $6,400. Chevy slashed the Volt’s price by $5,000, and Ford took $4,000 off the Fusion price tag. In response, sales for EVs are picking up. The Leaf and Volt set records for monthly sales in August 2013. What do EV price drops mean? Keep reading to find answers before you open your wallet and drive away with one.

Nissan’s Leaf

This past year, Nissan slashed prices on the Leaf. The car will carry an MSRP of $28,000 with tax incentives of $7,500 from the U.S. government and additional $2,500 credits in California. You can take one home for around $18,800, a price comparable to many mid-size sedans. Throw in the combined 115 mpg gas rating and 129 mpg, and car buyers can save hundreds more a month on gas, depending on how much you drive.

Why Your Roof Is A Missed Environmental Opportunity

You may think your roof is simply there to keep you dry at night, but it can do so much more than that. In fact, your roof can be a major contributor to the environmentally-friendly nature of your entire home.

Your roof can add significant environmental value to your home. If you are interested in making your roof work for you, try one of these ideas to make your roof earth-friendly.

Prevent Leaks

Stopping leaks does more than keep you dry. Preventing leaks in your roof can actually contribute to the environmental friendliness of your home. Much of the air that cools and warms your home eventually ends up in your attic. If you have leaks in your roof, the air generated by your HVAC system escapes from your home.

This causes you to spend more money and energy cooling and heating your home each year. The more energy you use, the more drain on the environment you cause. Simply by stopping leaks in your roof you can cut down on energy use by up to 40 percent.

Add Insulation

If your roof is not insulated, even if you no longer have any leaks, you will also use more energy than necessary. Attics and roofs act as heat traps in the summer, which leads to a large increase in the amount of energy that you use. The opposite is true in the winter.