A single voice-controlled speaker used to be just a gimmick. These days, smart homes are much more than that. What was once a few disparate bits and pieces has become a network of interconnected devices that control water, power, and…
Solar PV and wind turbines aren’t the future of renewables anymore; they’re the now. It’s a much more complex and fascinating place, and it involves batteries, grid software, and a handful of obstinate engineering challenges that nobody’s paying much attention…
Most folks assume smart home technology is about saving time: “Alexa, switch off the lights” or “use my phone to set the garage thermostat.” And that’s certainly true. But a less conspicuous, more compelling narrative is also taking shape: home…
Most of us don’t realize our homes are sucking down energy 24 If the air conditioning is on when no one is home, and lights are on in unoccupied rooms, or if the water heater is on during prime time……
Most of us assume that if you want to buy something energy-efficient, you go for the one with the most stars on the label. You’re right in part, but it’s much more complex than a sticker on a fridge. The…
Water is usually the last thing people worry about until it disappears; however, water scarcity is no longer a long-term problem in distant regions and places that once had an abundance of water. Desert towns and even farms are now…
A disconnect exists between brands using “earth-friendly” to market their products and what, as an individual, actually benefits the earth. You’ve most likely encountered bamboo phone cases, solar chargers, and reusable batteries making questionable claims about saving the earth. Some…
Electric cars have traditionally been the topic of discussion about the future. These days they are parked in your neighbor’s driveway. However, most beginner’s guides still treat EVs as they treat a lesson on a subject – they don’t acknowledge…
My power bill increased by $40 in one month, and I didn’t change anything in my apartment. No new appliances, no AC marathon, or anything. That’s why I started looking into a smart plug in the first place, and what…
The federal solar tax credit homeowners have depended on for close to twenty years is no longer available. Not scaled back, abolished. If you have procrastinated adopting solar because today would do just fine, today will now do a whole…
Last year, a friend of mine took to pricing solar panels, was told it would cost $14,000, and, in a fit of terrified earnestness, stopped considering going green at his house altogether. Of course, two months after he gave up,…
Most chatbots are terrible within the first ten seconds. Not because the engine behind it was crap, but because nobody built what should happen before it kicks in and shines. A user inputs anything generic, the bot hangs or spins,…