LG is rumored to be creating a washing machine that doesn’t use water. Reports indicate that the South Korean firm plans to focus on next-generation smart appliances next year, and it’s already working on several cutting-edge designs. According to Engadget, the company remains tight-lipped about the new washing machine project—currently in the early stages of development—and LG has not yet confirmed if the appliance will be completely waterless, or “virtually waterless.”

Read the rest of LG is Developing a Waterless Washing Machine

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", CES 2013, Energy-Efficient Appliances, Green Appliances, LG home appliances, LG robo-vacuum, LG waterless washing machine, refrigerator design, smart appliances, sustainable appliances, washing machine design, water usage

Read the rest of Take a Virtual Tour Through the 2013 HGTV Smart Home + See How You Can Win It!

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Post tags: energy monitoring, energy usage, green home, green interiors, green technology, hgtv, HGTV Sweepstakes, home monitoring, ipad home, Jack Thomasson, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, know your carbon footprint, locally sourced materials, native plants, paradise key, reclaimed wood, recycled carpet, Savant Systems, smart home, Smart Home 2013, Sustainable Building, sustainable design, zero-voc, zeroscaping

Casabella just unveiled a new vacuum cleaner concept dubbed the Limbo that is designed to be powered by the trash it consumes! The stair-climbing vacuum cleaner uses a process called microbial electrolysis to generate power from the bacteria it picks up – so it could theoretically work constantly without the need for a charging station.

Read the rest of Casabella’s Stair-Climbing Concept Vacuum Cleaner is Powered by Trash

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Post tags: automated vacuum cleaner, bacteria energy, casabella, limbo, limbo vacuum cleaner, Microbail Electrolysis, self powered products, vacuum cleaner

The UK company GTech reimagines cordless vacuuming to create a top marks for low energy consumption and high performance. Using only 100W of power from a 22V Lithium ion rechargeable battery, the AirRam is more than fours time as energy efficient as most corded vacuums, and runs twice as a long as competitor cordless models. This sleek cleaning machine is packed with many other features — including a tracker to count the calories you’ve burned while cleaning — that make it worthy of comparing to the biggest names in vacuums on the market.

Read the rest of The AirRam’s High-Tech Cleaning Vacuum Tracks Its Energy Usage and Calories You’ve Burned

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Post tags: airraam, cleaning, cordless vacuum, Eco, green, gtech, rechargeable, renewable energy, Sustainable

NYC-based Dash company recently debuted a prototype of a Greek Yogurt Maker that makes delicious, creamy yogurt free from fake sugars and preservatives. Not only does this product have style, but it saves on packaging from purchasing yogurt in plastic containers. Best of all, it can even whip up vegan yogurt goodness from non-dairy milks like coconut, soy, or almond!

Read the rest of Dash Makes Delicious Additive-Free Greek Yogurt from Any Kind of Milk

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Post tags: cooking, dash, DIY, diy yogurt, greek yogurt maker, green kitchen, homemade, storebound, vegan, yogurt recipes

Excited about that stylish top from J.Crew but wish you could have it for the party tonight? Why not just 3D print it right at home? That’s the vision embodied in a Clothing Printer conceived by industrial designer Joshua Harris. Harris developed the Clothing Printer with a group of colleagues as an entry in the Electrolux Lab design competition in 2010, where it placed in the semifinals.


Read the rest of Joshua Harris’ 3D Clothing Printer Recycles Old Garments to Create New Apparel

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Post tags: 3d printer, 3D printing, apparel, clothing printer, eco-fashion, green design, industrial design, joshua harris, Sustainable Fashion, sustainable style, Urban design

As far as washing machines go, the pedal-powered GiraDora and the Laundry Pod are pretty small – but the new ultra compact Petit Laundry Swoosh can fit on a countertop! Designed by Japanese company King Jim, the washer uses just over a gallon of water to clean 250 g of clothing in 18 minutes. The device measures in at 29 x 29 x 44 cm and it’s perfect for small space living as it can easily fit inside a cupboard or cubicle for emergency laundering.

Read the rest of Ultra Compact ‘Petit Laundry Swoosh’ Washing Machine Cleans Clothes With Only a Gallon of Water

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Post tags: Compact, cubicle, efficient, giradora, Japan, king jim, laundry, laundry pod, petit swoosh, tabletop, washing machine, water issues

If your wallet is already feeling the pinch from your monthly energy bill as we head into the colder months, you’ll be happy to know that you can keep those expenses down using a simple device called a programmable thermostat. We introduced these handy gadgets to you back in October and now we have a fun, informational video that makes it even easier to understand what programmable thermostats do and how they can save the average household about $180* a year. Click the video above to get the full scoop on how programmable thermostats work and what kinds of perks the latest models offer – including the ability to control your home’s temperature from bed, your office or even while you’re on vacation.

Read the rest of VIDEO: How to Save Money and Energy With a Programmable Thermostat

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", cut energy bill, Energy Savings, honeywell programmable thermostat, Honeywell thermostat, how to save energy, how to save money, how to use a programmable thermostat, programmable thermostat, programmable thermostats, save money in your home, save money with a programmable thermostat, thermostat, thermostat video, wifi enabled thermostat, wifi thermostat, yuka yoneda

When trying to squeeze every last penny out of your utilities, picking the right light bulb could go a long way towards reducing your bills. LED bulbs have exploded in popularity due to their efficiency and longevity – and the new NanoLight claims to be the world’s most energy-efficient light bulb, emitting over 1600 lumens while using only 12 watts of power. While there are many 20-60 watt LED equivalent bulbs on the market, the omnidirectional NanoLight is the first 100 watt comparable device. Completely eliminating the need for a heat sink, the NanoLight claims to be 87% more efficient than a standard incandescent and it uses 50% less energy than a compact fluorescent.

Read the rest of The NanoLight Touts Itself as the World’s Most Efficient LED Light Bulb

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Post tags: Bulb, christian yan, circuit board, compact fluorescent, efficient, gimmy chu, incandescent, kickstarter, LED, Light, nanolight, tom rodinger, University of Toronto

Read the rest of Top 6 Gadgets for the Home to Help You Go Green in 2013

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Post tags: automatic shades, conserve water, dimmer switch, eco bathroom, eco shower, efergy, efergy shower timer, electronic shades, energy saving thermostat, green bathroom, green lighting, home solar power systems, Honeywell Wi-Fi Thermostat, insulating blinds, insulating shades, large solar chargers, light dimmer, light sensor switch, light sensors, lutron, Maestro C.L. Dimmer, Maestro Occupancy Sensing Switch, motion sensor lights, programmable thermostat, quality blinds, quality shades, reduce water use, Serena Shades, shower water monitor, solar charger, solar charger kit, Solar Power, solar power at home, sustainable products, Voltaic, water monitor, water saving, waterpebble, wifi thermostat

Climate change got you worried? Us too. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to get as many people as we can to ramp up their efforts to cut down on their energy use and make greater, greener strides to preserve the planet over the new year. To help kick off a 2013 full of green initiatives, we’ve teamed up with Lutron to give TEN lucky readers $150 each to spend on green gadgets and other energy-saving products at the Lutron Store. Lutron—who also happens to be the inventor of the light dimmer—boasts an array of eco-minded products that are aimed at significantly cutting energy use at home, all without sacrificing convenience or style. From dimmers to sensors to shades, don’t miss out on a chance at a free shopping spree at its store! Keep reading to see how you can score $150 to spend at Lutronstore.com and get your green 2013 off to a great start!

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY:

1. SIGN UP FOR THE INHABITAT NEWSLETTER HERE > We’ll be announcing the winners in our weekly newsletter, so if you want to find out who won, you’ll need to receive it!

2. LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW telling us what you plan to do to make 2013 your most sustainable year yet. The deadline for this fabulous giveaway is Sunday, December 30th. We’ll pick the comments we like best and announce the winners in our January 3rd newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up!

DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 30th

Read the rest of LAST CHANCE: Win a $150 Gift Certificate to Spend On Green Gadgets at Lutron Store (10 Available!)

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Post tags: eco prizes, giveaways, inhabitat contest, inhabitat giveaways, lutron, lutron cfl dimmers, lutron contest, lutron dimmers, lutron electronics, lutron energy saving dimmers, lutron energy savings, lutron giveaway, lutron led dimmers, lutron store, win lutron products

German entrepreneur Gregor Schaper has installed a series of large circular solar panels in the small town of El Sauz, near Mexico City, and uses solar energy for all his cooking. Each solar cooker costs about solar cooker costs between $4,000 and $5,000 to build, according to AFP, but once it’s up and running it is free to operate, and it produces no greenhouse gas emissions. According to Schapers, each solar reflector can create enough energy that can be used to cook for a group of 60 people.

Read the rest of German Entrepreneur Brings Solar Ovens To the Mexican Countryside To Produce Emissions-Free Tortillas

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Post tags: green technology, Gregor Schapers, mexico renewables, renewable energy, solar collectors, solar cooking, solar ovens, Solar Power, Trinysol

Dutch designer Marjan Van Aubel has created a collection of everyday objects that are all infused with solar panels! Her cleverly titled Energy Collection is a series of glasses and tableware that are imbued with a photovoltaic layer of dye synthesized solar cells. Once they have been used, the objects are returned to a cabinet which acts as an energy storing unit and can provide power to appliances and other electronic devices.

+ Marjan Van Aubel

The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat? Send us a tip by following this link. Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

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Post tags: energy collection, green design, green energy, green interiors, Household Appliances, Marjan van Aubel, photovoltaic cells, renewable energy, Solar Power, sustainable design, Sustainable Interiors

Did you know that the average American household spends more than $2,200 annually on energy bills, and close to half of that figure can be attributed to heating and cooling? If you’re looking to chop that number down, there are a lot of things you can do, but one of the most effective is to install a programmable thermostat. You’ve probably heard about these useful gadgets before, but they can be a little intimidating for homeowners who have never used one. The truth is that they’re probably much less complicated than your Tivo or DVR system, and once you have the hang of it, they can save you about $180* a year. Read on as we break down the basics of programmable thermostats into digestable bits.

* Based on ENERGY STAR averages. The $180 savings assumes a typical, single-family home with a 10 hour daytime setback of 8° F in winter and setup of 7° F in summer, and an 8 hour nighttime setback of 8° F in winter and a setup of 4° F in summer.

Read the rest of How to Squash Your Monthly Energy Bill & Save Money With a Programmable Thermostat

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", cut energy bill, Energy Savings, honeywell programmable thermostat, how to save energy, how to save money, how to use a programmable thermostat, programmable thermostat, programmable thermostats, save money in your home, save money with a programmable thermostat, thermostat, wifi enabled thermostat, wifi thermostat

This year’s record breaking summer high temperatures and general worrisome warming trend don’t necessarily mean that the coming winter will be a walk in the park. Before the cold weather strikes, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, but save you some money while you’re at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we’ll show you what you need to get the job done! So no matter if you rent or own your house, check out these 7 handy tips that we promise will make a real difference in keeping you warm and your energy bill manageable this winter.

Read the rest of 7 Winter Home Improvement Tips to Save You Money and Energy In the Cold Season

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Post tags: "energy star", air sealing, diy home improvements, eco friendly ways to warm your house, eco friendly winter, eco options, energy audit, energy saving products, go green in your home, green home tips, green homes, green ways to warm your house, home depot, home depot environmentally friendly products, how to deal with a cold house, how to prepare your home for cold weather, how to prepare your home for the winter, How to weatherize, prepare you home for winter, products that help you save energy, products to save energy, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, tips for a cold apartment, why is my house so cold, winterize your apartment, winterize your home, winterize your house

If you’ve been feeling the pinch like we have, you’ve probably learned to shop smarter, pack your own lunch, and cut back on the gourmet coffee, but you might still be missing out on big savings if your home hasn’t been optimized for energy efficiency. The good news is that just a few quick and easy DIY upgrades to your home could equate to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year in savings on your energy bill. Crafting a home energy-optimization strategy sounds more daunting than it is. We’ve rounded up 15 great inexpensive and easy-to-find green home improvement products that will set you on the path towards a lower energy bill and more moolah in the bank – read on to get the inside scoop on all of them.

Read the rest of 15 Inexpensive Green Household Products That Can Save You Money And Cut Down Your Energy Bill

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Post tags: "energy star", blow in insulation, ceiling fan, cellular shades, draft guard, eco design, eco home, energy saving products, energy star appliances, Energy-Efficient Appliances, go green in your home, great stuff crack sealer, green design, green home tips, insulation, led light bulbs, LEDs, magnetic vent covers, money saving tips, natural insulation, products that help you save energy, programmable thermostat, save energy in your home, save money, save money in your home, sustainable design, ultratouch, ultratouch insulation, vent covers, Ways to Green Your Kitchen

Breakfast is about to get simpler and a lot more stylish, thanks to Jan des Bouvrie and Princess who have collaborated to create the Compact4All breakfast cubes. Consisting of four different appliances, the Compact4All includes a toaster, juicer, coffee maker and kettle, which stack together in just under 16 square inches. Each appliance can stand on its own, but when combined the system uses just one outlet and stacks together for easy storage!

Read the rest of Compact4All Kitchen System Combines Four Breakfast Appliances in Less Than 16 Square Inches

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Post tags: Breakfast Appliances, Coffee Maker by Princess, Compact Breakfast appliances, Compact4All, Jan des Bouvrie, Juicer by Princess, Kettle by Princess, Princess, Toaster by Princess

Ben de la Roche, an industrial design student at Massey University in New Zealand, has designed a doorless refrigeration wall, called Impress, that prevents food waste and saves energy. De la Roche’s design is a finalist in the 2012 Electrolux Design Lab competition. Impress, Electrolux says, “completely transforms the way we refrigerate.” Rather than hide refrigerated food and drinks in a closed box, the appliance places items out in the open. It saves energy by only applying refrigeration when a food item is present.

Read the rest of Student Invents Doorless Refrigerator That Saves Energy and Reduces Food Spoilage

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Post tags: "energy efficiency", ben de la roche, Competition, Design, doorless, eco design, Electrolux, Green Appliances, green design, green home, honeycomb, impress, lab, massey university, New Zealand, refrigeration, refrigerator, Student, sustainable design, wall

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Post tags: aqus greywater toilet, change your light bulbs, eco light bulbs, eco-friendly bath products, eco-friendly bathroom, energy efficient light bulbs, green bathroom, green lighting, green your bathroom, home made cleaning products, improve bathroom ventilation, LED bulbs, LED lighting, low flow shower, low flow shower head, low flow toilet, moen, moen motion sensor faucets, motion sensor faucets, reduce mold in bathroom, save water in the bathroom, water efficient fixtures, water efficient toilet, water saving designs, water saving products, water saving shower, water saving toilet

A team of industrial design students at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey, has developed an ingenious design for a bipartite, or two-compartment, waterless dishwasher that is wall-mounted and doubles as a kitchen cabinet. Called dualWash, the dishwasher uses supercritical carbon dioxide for cleaning rather than water.

Read the rest of DualWash: Waterless Dishwasher Doubles as a Kitchen Cabinet!

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Post tags: Altun, b/s/h/, bipartite, bosch, cabinet, dishwasher, dualwash, green design, green kitchen, green products, METU, Profilo, Sancar, simsek, sustainable design, tuna, turkey