Home appliances generally haven't been at the forefront of the green movement. While the Energy Star rating on some household gadgets has helped eco-warriors reduce their carbon footprint (and saved homeowners some money), it doesn't hold a candle to the devices that are designed to be green from the get-go. Switched.com decided to dig a little deeper – and found a dozen products that are truly earth-friendly.
1. Xeros washing machine
Though still a prototype, this new washer promises to clean clothes with just one cup of water and thousands of nylon beads that absorb dirt and stains, with a carbon footprint that's 40-percent less than the current most efficient washing machine. Initially, Xeros will only be available commercially, but the home market will follow soon after.
2. Equator 375 Refrigerator
This refrigerator/freezer only uses $50 of electricity per year. It's also quieter, since the components are sealed in. The downside is you'll have to manually defrost the freezer and -- at about six feet tall two feet wide -- it's a bit smaller than your average Frigidaire.
3. Aeromatic oven
It won't make dinner for four (well, not quickly), but this high-efficiency standalone oven will grill, broil, bake, fry, toast, steam and roast your smaller meals in about as much time as it would take to cook 'em in a microwave (but using about 80-percent less energy).
4. Bosch Evolution 800 Plus
Dishwashers are big energy hogs, but this Bosch model is 160-percent more efficient than traditional models -- with two eco-friendly modes and the capacity for 15 place settings. Be warned, though: Efficiency comes with a hefty $1,650-plus price tag.
5. Tankless Hot Water Heater
Ditch the old-fashioned water heater! Tankless systems can lower your costs and help you save time, as delivery of hot water is instantaneous. Up-front costs are high, though -- so it will be a while before you recoup the investment.
6. AO Smith Vertex 100
If you already have a tank water heater setup, the Vertex 100 is the way to go. It boasts a 90-percent efficiency rating, better than anything else on the market. That means a 30-percent savings on your utility bill.
7. Motion sensor lights
Parents! No longer will you have to yell at your children for leaving the lights on when they leave the room. The Levion Decora 150 switch senses when the room is empty and kills the lights, saving you money in the process.
8. Toilet Lid Sink
Wash your hands -- with toilet water? Well, technically, yes, but it's hygienic. As you flush, clean water from the tank is first sent through the spigot to dispense for hand-washing, then it heads down to finish its original mission. It may sound silly, but give this innovation a chance, especially considering that most of us flush our waste with pristine and clean fresh water, only to send it off to the sewer.
9. Santerra Green Composting Toilets
Poo and pee is 90-percent water. This toilet/composter evaporates your, um, 'business' then turns what's left into compost. It promises to be odorless and save water, which is nice -- but the required periodic maintenance and emptying gives us pause.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rowedahelicon said 4:10PM on 2-19-2010
When does Google Life start? I'm in the market for a new kidney,
Reply
Thomas Houston said 4:50PM on 2-19-2010
It's still in Beta. Wait a few years.
Reply
R Barnes said 5:02PM on 2-19-2010
Great idea.
What's with the snide comments?
Not ok to be successful?
Read George Orwell before you make such a ridiculous
and lazy comparison (no I don't work for Google and don't know anyone who does)
Reply
Ryebank said 10:18AM on 2-22-2010
Ha - you don't know them but they know you :)
Reply
Daniel Morin said 10:25AM on 2-22-2010
Competition is always good... it leads to lower prices and better service.
I am surprised Google is still clinging to this "Carbon Footprint", as if carbon is causing Global Warming. Professor Jones (the director of the East Anglia climate center) told the BBC about the possibility that the world was warmer in medieval times than now – suggesting global warming may not be a man-made phenomenon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250872/Climategate-U-turn-Astonishment-scientist-centre-global-warming-email-row-admits-data-organised.html
Reply
Aaron Frost said 11:21AM on 2-22-2010
When Google starts imposing ridiculous amounts of taxes, then we can start comparing them to BigBrother. As of now, all the goods that Google has provided the public is free (with the exception of some development tools).
I agree with Daniel Morin, competition keep the capitalistic market honest. If there were no competition, capitalism (on a global level) would never have gotten us to where we are today (for better or worse). If Google can do X better (or more efficiently) than the next guy, then let them.
Reply
Dave Bell said 11:37AM on 2-22-2010
You left out a reference to Bloom Energy, and Google being their first corporate customer for the BloomBox fuel cell power system. Meshes nicely with Google's new position as a true Power Broker!
Reply
Ant Sharman said 4:35AM on 2-23-2010
I wonder where Google (Inc.(Energy)) will be claim to reside - for the purposes of tax?
Google (UK) is registered in Ireland as a Lichtenstein SARL company and so pays nominal taxes there, so as a company earning in excess of a billion pounds sterling per annum from the UK users, it only pays the UK government only 6 hundred thousand in taxes. A fraction of what a "true" UK company earning that amount would pay.
If GoogleLife were ever to come into existence, Rowedahelicon, you would probably have to share that kidney with 15 thousand other users . . .
Reply
Alok said 6:41AM on 2-23-2010
Are we leading to "Gooogleaven",
There will be no Hell or Heaven
Reply