MetaEfficient Reviews

Best Backyard Compost Tumblers

benjamin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:10:21 +0000

Best Compost Tumblers

Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste your household generates, plus there’s the added benefit of free fertilizer for your yard or garden. There are some nifty options for indoor composting on the market, but to do it on a larger scale you need to move outdoors. Here are four of the best compost tumblers available, each of which will help keep your backyard composting as easy and tidy as possible.

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REI’s LEED Certified Stores

benjamin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:15:20 +0000

LEED Gold REI Store In Round Rock, TX (image: REI)

REI’s newest LEED certified retail stores are evidence that smart business and environmental responsibility sometimes lead down the same path. These new stores enjoy lower operating costs, and customers appreciate the company’s dedication to sustainable building.

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Toshiba Dynario Fuel Cell Device Charger

benjamin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:01:44 +0000

Toshiba Dynario Fuel Cell Device Charger (photo: Toshiba)

The first commercially available fuel cell device charger is here! (Well, technically it’s only “here” if you’re reading this in Japan, but that should soon change). Toshiba’s Dynario charger packs fuel cell technology into a portable package that can provide instant power to a dead mobile phone or other gadget, completely off the grid.
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An Energy Producing Home In Disguise

benjamin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:24:44 +0000

The Energy Producing Home (image: Neumann Developments)

Who says that a home with cutting-edge energy efficiency has to look like an ultra-modern pod? This recently completed Wisconsin home packs so much energy tech that it makes money by selling electricity back to the grid, and it still keeps a low neighborhood profile.

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The Best Shower Filters Of 2009

Justin — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:04:38 +0000

I just replaced my shower filters, so I thought I’d update my best shower filter review from earlier this year. Each update to the review generates a lot of useful comments. So I’m incorporating what I’ve learned from those comments into this latest review. (more…)

Kite Gen – The Future Of Wind Power?

benjamin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:22:01 +0000

Kite Gen Wind Power Generator (photo: Kite Gen Research S.r.l.)

Wind power holds great promise as a clean energy source, but current windmill generators aren’t appropriate for all locations. Italian firm Kite Gen hopes to change that with its innovative new generator designs, which use “kites” to capture strong high-altitude winds.
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The Best iPhone Battery Pack

Justin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 04:54:15 +0000

The Best iPhone Battery Pack

The iPhone can be power-thirsty. For many people a battery extender is an essential iPhone or iTouch accessory. Here are four of the best backup iPhone battery packs.

Note: iPhone battery performance times vary widely based on individual usage habits and applications. Wherever possible we have tried to give details of a backup battery’s capacity relative to an iPhone’s full charge.

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Liquid-Filled LED Bulbs: 360 Degree Light

Justin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:53:53 +0000

Liquid-Filled LED Light Bulbs: HydraLux

I’ve been testing a new LED bulb called the HydraLux. These unique bulbs are filled with a clear liquid coolant (a non-toxic paraffin oil). Other LED bulbs use large metal fins or fans for cooling purposes. The advantage of using a liquid coolant is that the LED bulb can produce 360° light like a regular incandescent bulb. (more…)

Best iPod Car Stereos Under $150

benjamin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:21:36 +0000

A Review Of The Best iPod Car Stereo Receivers Under $150

If you’re a music lover who spends a lot of time on the road, you don’t want to fumble with an iPod’s controls to enjoy your music. So what’s the solution? An iPod-ready car stereo receiver. And there’s no need to break the bank – here are four of the best options available for under $150.

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How To Build A Deep Bass System For $750

Justin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:41:50 +0000

In this article I will describe how to build a high-fidelity, bass-intensive sound system for under $1000. The secret ingredient of the system is the use of tactile transducers. These transducers effectively eliminate the need for expensive woofers or subwoofers. It’s an efficient method of producing deep, high-fidelity bass for a fraction of the usual cost. Many of the ideas presented here were gleaned from the recommendations of audio enthusiasts, and the book High-Performance Audio Systems by Robert Harley.

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