« September 2007 | Main | November 2007 »
October 23, 2007
Flat Panel Televisions -- Are They Energy Hogs?
I never really thought about this before, but recently came across a few articles that indicate that some flat televisions use more energy than good old CRT 'tube' televisions. An Australian paper noted that televisions are now the fourth biggest user of electricity in the home -- behind heating and cooling, water heating and refrigerators.
Not all flat TVs are energy hogs, but when you are purchasing a set, look at specifications on the manufacturer's web site. In a BBC article I read that one 42" plasma television uses 230 watts, while another 42" plasma set, from the same manufacturer consumes 365 watts. The second one uses over 50% more electricity. I did some searching and found a 60" plasma that uses 650 watts and a 71" set consumed a whopping 850 watts.
Of course I knew that new flat panel televisions used quite a bit of electricity, but I had no idea that some were such energy hogs.
If you own a new flat panel TV, do you know how much energy it uses? Was this part of your purchasing decision?
Posted by Bob Gatton at 7:51 AM | Comments (20)
Whole House Audio - Would you use it?
When I am working with builders and consumers during the construction planning stage I am often asked to design an audio system for the home. This usually involves a central point of music storage and distribution to multiple rooms.
With a well designed system different people in the home can listen to different music in different rooms. The sources can be CDs, satellite radio, AM/FM radio, streaming audio off the internet and IPods. One company offers a system that even matches the music to your mood - Moodseer.
This sounds really cool, but would you use it? In my home I have most of the equipment and wiring necessary for this type of system, but have only connected speakers on my deck. I do use the deck speakers from time to time, but not that often.
If you are a home builder, is this becoming a more common request from customers?
If you own this type of system, do you like it? Use it often?
Your comments are appreciated.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 7:26 AM | Comments (4)
October 5, 2007
HDTV owners, are you happy with HD programming?
I came across an interesting survey from The Nielsen Company (the company that does the TV ratings). According to their survey, "85 percent of HD owners gave a 4 or 5 rating (with 5 meaning "excellent" and 1 meaning "poor") for picture quality but only 39 percent provided the same rating for programming selection.
High definition (HD) television owners are much more satisfied with the picture quality of HD television than they are with the amount or selection of HD programming." For the complete story go to Neilson HDTV Customers
I have to agree, the picture on my HD television can be spectacular, but all too often the show that I want to watch isn't available in HD, or the "HD" picture is subpar. I don't regret my purchase, but I wish there was more programs with a great picture (and sound).
Another interesting result of the survey was that only about 1 in 6 of the respondents got an HD signal from an antenna. At my home I get a great signal from all the local stations. Sometime the best things in life are free.
If you own an HDTV, do you agree with this study? And have you tried getting an HD signal from your local stations using an antenna?
Posted by Bob Gatton at 9:10 AM | Comments (3)
October 2, 2007
Gutter Cleaning Robot
I am already a fan of IRobots products, particularly their Roomba vacuum systems and the Dirt Dog for the garage, but last week I received a press release on what might be their best product yet. Introducing the Looj, the gutter cleaning robot. This is a remote control robot that travels (or luges - think Winter Olympics) down the gutter and flings the leaves and debris out. Very cool.
Cleaning the gutters is one of my least favorite homeowner chores. On the back of my house the gutters are at least 30 feet above the ground. First of all I don't own a long enough ladder, and if I did, I hate getting on ladders that tall.
A solution to this problem might be one of the numerous gutter covers that are available, but I don't know how well they work.
A couple of questions:
- do you have, or include in your homes, gutter covers? What is your experience with them been? How well do they work?
- Check out the Looj, watch the video and tell me what you think.
I have asked IRobot for a review sample and look forward to giving you my opinions of this really interesting solution to a common problem.
Posted by Bob Gatton at 10:17 AM | Comments (24)
