5 eco-friendly gadgets to buy now

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save energy

I don’t pay enough attention to the amount of energy my family consumes. I’m not proud of this. A quick glance at your bill might raise an eyebrow, or even a little grimace during the winter months. But I also know that we all have an obligation to take a more active look at our energy consumption, pursue personal net zero, and perhaps consider becoming a little more independent from the grid. Systems that can store, store and manage energy are key to making this change happen, and EcoFlow’s latest residential product, a single-phase system designed for UK homes, makes a strong case for this. It becomes.

PowerOcean isn’t exactly fancy. Consisting of an inverter and 1, 2, or 3 5kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery packs, they are water-resistant, weather-resistant, meet strict safety guidelines, and can be stacked tightly against a wall. (The stack can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall.) The clever part is how it integrates with the domestic energy ecosystem, including solar panels, immersion heaters, heat pumps, EV chargers and connections to the grid. You can charge it when it’s sunny or off the grid during off-peak hours and use it when you need it.

The EcoFlow app allows you to manage the interactions between all these factors with an incredible level of granularity, allowing you to prioritize certain energy sources over others, or when, for example, you have too much solar power. You can also set certain home appliances to turn on. The semi-open API requires the purchase of EcoFlow’s 10-inch wall adapter, but allows you to add third-party appliances (smart washing machines, lighting systems, smart thermostats, Matter-enabled devices) to the app to manage and monitor them. means. A PowerInsight panel is installed for additional functionality.

EcoFlow works with local installers to study your energy usage and tailor the installation to your facility. The only real danger is becoming too attached to the complexity of consumption patterns. But maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Openable case

One of the environmental drawbacks to high-tech products is their irreparability. Therefore, we tend to think that all defective gadgets are broken gadgets. Danish company AIAIAI is working on the Right to Repair movement and makes products that can be taken apart with just a spudger and a screwdriver. With these portable wireless speakers, you can easily replace short-lived parts (batteries, drivers, etc.). Sonically, these are excellent reference monitors. There’s also a Bluetooth option for streaming from your phone, but if you’re looking for perfection, connect your audio source to the bundled transmitter and you’ll be streaming uncompressed audio with reliable stability in no time.

Do you think it’s fair?

For more than a decade, Fairphone has championed ethical manufacturing, including a conscientious supply chain, the use of post-consumer recycled plastics, and increased pay for factory workers. This ethos is reflected in the unassuming earphones, which have minimal packaging, a subdued matte case, and come with nothing other than a selection of ear tips. But they’re more impressive than their appearance suggests. The tap and swipe controls are perfectly responsive, the noise cancellation is excellent, and the sound is very good, if not pristine (and can be improved to “great” sound by adjusting the EQ) . app). Replaceable batteries in the charging case and earbuds also extend product life.

power plant

The donkey job of most air purifiers is done by the HEPA filter, which needs to be replaced every 12 months. Italy-based Vitessy is harnessing the power of plants, particularly phytoremediation, which filters air through the soil around plant roots, to wage a more sustainable fight against pollutants. You prepare your soil and plants (Vitesy will advise you on the best type), place it in the unit and plug it in. The soil begins to filter out VOCs, viruses, and bacteria when combined with a washable ceramic photocatalytic filter. You can almost forget about that (the plants will water automatically for about a month). The accompanying app notifies you of pollution levels through alerts or well-designed graphs.

balancing act

Compared to the gaudy plastic balance bikes I often see coming in and out of my son’s nursery, Choppy is healthy. Made in Latvia from Baltic birch plywood, it’s quick and easy to assemble (no screws required!) and arrives in adhesive-free FSC. – Certified box printed with an attractive toy car race track that doubles as a board game. The curved seat has a natural spring (this is where strong, flexible plywood comes into its own) and acts as a suspension system. You can also adjust the handlebar and seat position to suit your child, from small toddlers to 4-year-olds. Available in black, brown and green, Choppy has won numerous design awards and is well-deserved.

@Rhodri