MetaEfficient Reviews

New LED Light Bulbs Can Replace 100W Incandescents

cephoe — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:18:40 +0000

I recently had the chance to test two state-of-the-art LED light bulbs from EarthLED. LED bulbs have many advantages over incandescents and compact fluorescent: LEDs use very little power, they last 10 years or more, and they contain no hazardous substances. They are also tough: they can be dropped and turned off and on repeated without damage, they can operate in very cold or warm temperatures. They can also save you money in the long term despite costing $50 (for the 100 watt equivalent Evolux) and $90 (for the 60 watt equivalent Zetalux).(...)
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New Lithium-Ion Battery Recharges To 90% Capacity In 5 Minutes

cephoe — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:31:02 +0000

Toshiba has developed a new lithium-ion battery called SCiB (or Super Charge Ion Battery) which can charge to 90% capacity in 5 minutes. The life cycle of the new battery is more than 10 years even if it is rapidly charged and discharged many times. The battery is also mucher safer than other types of lithium ion batteries, which are potential fire hazards.

Toshiba will begin commercial production of the battery in March 2008. The company says the battery can be used in electric motorcycles and hybrid cars. Toshiba currently makes 150,000 cells a month, mostly for electric bicycles.(...)
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The Most Efficient Killer Of Microorganisms: Essential Oils

cephoe — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:22:09 +0000

High-grade essential oils are the most efficient killers of microorganisms (for more information see The Aromatherapy Bible: The Definitive Guide to Using Essential Oils, The Complete Book Of Essential Oils or The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Essential Oils). Basically, essential oils are great disinfectants, and they are also healthy to inhale. They have other beneficial effects on the body and mind. Surround yourself with Eucalyptus during the winter for example, to kill airborne microorganisms. The most efficient way of dispersing an essential oil is to use a nebulizer. Burners and other diffusion methods do not create super-fine particles of the oil. There’s a much greater chance of these particles coming into contact with mold spores, germs, and other airborne bacteria.

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The Most Efficient Humidifier: Areca Palm

cephoe — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:32:12 +0000

It’s important to keep indoor humidity at an optimum level (45 to 65 percent). Dry air in the winter is one the main causes of sinus infections and sore throats. You can use a mechanical humidifier to add moisture to the air, but these devices require constant cleaning to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

An easier way to add humidity to a room, is to put a few areca palms in it. These palms release copious amounts of water into the air, and remove chemical toxins too. They are consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor toxins tested. According to B. C. Wolverton, author of How To Grow Fresh Air, a six foot (1.8 m) areca palm transpires approximately 1 quart (1 litre) of water every 24 hours. So if you put three in your bedroom, the palms will be release three quarts of water per day — not bad!

Efficient Jeans: Those Made With Organic Cotton Or Hemp

cephoe — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:43:34 +0000

Efficient jeans are still hard to find. Conventionally grown cotton requires more pesticides to grow than any other crop. The more efficient method is to grow organic cotton or hemp. The surf company Reef makes some good organic cotton jeans, like their Heritage Jeans (shown above), their Philosopher Jeans and Heritage Cords. Outdoor clothing company Patagonia offers a pair of organic cotton jeans: the Workender. The Gap offers some organic cotton jeans. You can also find designer jeans made out of organic cotton. Hemp is the most optimal material with which to make jeans, but few hemp jeans are available. You can find some at Hempest.

The Most Efficient Material For Cold Weather: Merino Wool

cephoe — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:27:13 +0000

Merino wool is the most efficient material for cold weather. Merino wool is softer than regular wool, and it feels more like cotton against the skin. Merino wool resists wind and warms better than synthetic materials. It doesn’t absorb odors and it regulates body temperature. It is also produced in a sustainable manner.

The jacket pictured here is the Smartwool Banff Jacket. It’s designed with a woven wool sueded fabric, and it has a heavy 100% merino wool lining. There is a women’s version of this jacket too. Smartwool sells a whole range merino wool clothing, including summer wear. Merino wool clothing tends to be expensive, but you can find Smartwool on eBay and at REI Outlet.

100% Electric Aptera Unveiled

cephoe — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:44:46 +0000

I first mentioned the Aptera last year, when it was being test driven. This car’s eye-catching design isn’t just for show — it’s designed to be a very, very efficient vehicle. Just check out the video below you’ll see what I’m talking about:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Much like a jet, the shape of the Aperta is designed to be highly aerodynamic. (...)
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A Closer Look At The [re]Drive

cephoe — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:38:43 +0000

I noted the release of the [re]Drive last month — this hard drive is probably the most energy efficient external hard drive available. I was glad to be able to get a hold of one for testing.

The first thing I noticed about this drive, was the packaging, which was minimalistic enough to bring a smile to my face. The box contained no unnecessary plastic and cardboard inserts. Instead there was just a few pieces of tape holding the USB and power cords in place. (...)
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The PowerGorilla: Flexible Portable Power

cephoe — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:40:13 +0000

I’ve been testing a device that just been introduced called the PowerGorilla. It’s a portable power pack that acts an emergency back-up charger for your laptop computer other other electronic gadgets. The battery inside the PowerGorilla is a lithium-ion and weighs just 631 grams (1.4 pounds). The charger will give you an extra 2-5 hours of power, depending on your laptop’s specification, and over 20 hours on various other electronic devices.(...)
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Dahon Jack: An Inexpensive Folding Commuter Bike

cephoe — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:19:05 +0000

I’ve been testing a folding commuter bike, the Dahon Jack. This is a good quality bike that feels solid when riding. I like the ergonomic grips on the handlebars and the full-size 26 inch wheels. I get a lot of flats, so the bike’s Schwalbe Big Apple tires were a welcome inclusion. Dahon says that these tires, which include Kevlar anti-puncture lining, offer lower rolling resistance than thinner tires. (...)
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