http://www.househacker.com/ househacker/tags/f
All of them involved taking the laptop apart completely and generally rendering it useless for any other activity. The screens were also smaller than I wanted - equivalent to an 8"x12" photo, and varied considerably in contrast, brightness, and general image quality.

For my project, I wanted a desktop quality LCD screen of a size equivalent to an 11"x14" photograph. I also wanted professional quality matting and framing.

So, the author opted to use an old LCD monitor along with a hidden laptop. The trick is using two holes in the wall; an upper and a lower. The VGA and monitor power cable is fed through the upper hole and fished out through the lower hole, which is where the laptop sits, still accessible for maintenance and whatnot, but, in the author's case, hidden by a piano and usually controlled wirelessly.

Se also: previous post on DIY digital frames.

WiFi enabled digital picture frame on Amazon.com. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Slick-DIY-Wall-Mounted-Digital-Photo-Frame Making Every Pixel Count", which is about the importance of properly photographing your home for online real estate sites.

From the article:

When selling properties online, agents and Web designers say that the pictures buyers see of houses and apartments for sale are often the first - and sometimes the only - chance for a seller to make a good impression. Less-than-flattering pictures can turn buyers off and lead to lonely open houses.

So why is this so important? Well, some stats, from the piece:

Eighty percent of people across the country who bought a new home last year used the Internet while house hunting, and they rated photographs as the most useful tool in their search, according to a survey of buyers and sellers by the National Association of Realtors. The survey also found that 24 percent of home buyers got their first glimpses of their new homes on the Web, up from a mere 2 percent in 1997.

And let's face it, this number is probably going to continue to tend upward. If you've ever searched for a house or apartment online, you've probably been surprised and/or frustrated at the lack of pictures some listers provide. As many people will tell you, all the details in the world are still taken with a grain of salt when pictures aren't provided. Unless listers are trying to hide something, why not give web searchers what they want?

And although the mere act of posting pictures is crucial to attracting web-savvy prospects nowadays, the variance in the quality of the pictures can change the buyer's impression drastically. Be sure to see the audio slideshow that accompanies the article for examples of this.

Via 37Signals]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Taking-Better-Real-Estate-Photos
This how-to walks you through the process of modifying a mower as well as creating the solar panel/charging station that provides the power. The mower does take a while to charge up (40 hours by the authors calculations, assuming a half-charged battery), but since most lawns don't require mowings of any greater frequency than that (or anywhere near that, one would hope), the solar solution seems like a perfect fit for the task.

The author provides a lot of detail, including a couple of schematics and a parts and costs table. The final price tag was $699, with the bulk of the cost going towards the motor ($312), solar panel ($120) and battery ($90).]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Solar-Charged-Lawnmower this article on CNN, the technology uses radio frequency and has a range of about 3 feet, making it suitable for charging mobile phones on desks or keeping wireless mice and keyboards charged. Thanks to the tiny receiver chip, electronics manufacturers can implement the technology into almost any device.

Powercast won CNET's Best in Show for Emerging Tech at the 2007 Consumer Electronic Show, and they describe the technology thusly:

While it's presented as wireless power, Powercast isn't just a replacement for a universal charger. Instead, it's meant to either continuously charge a battery or replace the need for them altogether.
It works like this: a transmitter can be placed anywhere--in a lamp, for example, that is plugged into the wall and sits on a table. The transmitter in the lamp sends out a continuous, low RF signal. Anything with either AA or AAA batteries set within its range--and equipped with a Powercast receiver, which is the size of your fingernail--will be continuously charged.

The first Powercast devices will be hitting the market in 2007, according to the Powercast website. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Powercast-Wireless-Power-Transmission
The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.

and also changing the router's wireless channel:

Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you'll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router's channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.

Check out the rest of the tips to ensure your wireless network is running at it's optimum level.

Link: 10 tips for improving your wireless network.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Microsoft-Offers-Ten-Tips-on-Improving-your-Wireless-Network Decluttered.com demonstrates one way to get a handle on the situation by making clever use of a pegboard and wires. A pegboard is mounted on the underside of the desk and any routers, powerbars, modems and the like can be lifted off the ground and secured to the pegboard, bringing the plethora of associated cabling along for the ride.

The site has a lot of pictures of the process and results, and has recently added pictures sent in by people who've tried the pegboard method on their own desks.

Total cost: $33.42 CDN.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Better-Cable-Management-through-Pegboards tree of knowledge bookshelf by Italian designer Matteo Casarosa would fit right in to a children's bed or playroom. It's not clear as to whether the bookshelf is weighted down or supported in some manner, because if not, it looks like one would have to be careful not to place too many books on one side or the other, causing the shelf to tip. It's probably not an issue - just something to think about, as no one wants a branch across the noggin.

Via Design Milk]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Clever-Tree-Bookshelf
Sort of related: Love-Hate shirt.

Via haha.nu ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Doormat-with-Direction-Dependent-Message Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy is an interesting guide on maximizing your home's energy efficiency by modifying various aspects of its immediate environment, or "Microclimate".

A microclimate is any small, local area within which the effects of weather are both relatively uniform and easily modified. Microclimate modification involves the best use of structural and landscape design elements to maximize or limit sunlight, shade and air movement. Structural modifications involve the design of the house and associated construction (walkways, fences, patios). Landscape modifications (enviroscaping) involve the use of plants to further increase or decrease the impact of sun and wind upon the local environment.

This site, which applies mostly to homes in hot weather climates such as Florida, offers a lot of interesting ways that a home owner can creatively reduce energy usage. Some of the suggestions apply to potential home builders, such as home orientation (a house is more energy efficient if it is oriented with the long axis running east-west), however the majority of the tips apply to existing residences.

There are many examples of "enviroscaping" strategies on the site, such as optimal tree placement for maximum shading, tree type (In winter, the sun is low in the southern sky. Southern exposures of a home in north and central Florida can receive free benefits of passive solar heating, provided that deciduous trees are used along the southern exposures. Deciduous trees shed their leaves in the fall, and are bare during the coldest months of the year.), fencing options (fences vary in amount of air circulation), shrub and vine placement along walls, increasing air conditioner efficiency and much more.

Link: Enviroscaping to Conserve Energy: a Guide to Microclimate Modification]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Enviroscaping-to-Conserve-Energy
...outfitted with a lens ring that emits a bright glow in the dark. The new generation photoluminescent material in the plastic absorbs the energy from any light source - fluorescent lights, the sun, or even the flashlight's own beam

As useful as charging the photoluminescent matierial on the flashlight with the beam from the flashlight itself sounds, one might be better off storing the flashlight in the garage rather than a broom closet to expose the material to some light, both natural and artificial, during the day. The description suggests the material is 'new generation' - and it would have to be, as the stuff found in toys and trinkets never lasted long enough for any practical purpose. Perhaps Pelican used something along the lines of this material that is both brighter and longer lasting.

Something to think about before the next late night power outage.

Amazon.com link: Pelican Big ED 3700PL Flashlight w/ Photo Luminescent Shroud

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Pelican-Emergency-Flashlight-with-Photoluminescence previously). Essentially, Paul deems this device everything but a dream:

Ok, let's take another approach. Mag-Wind says its wind turbine will produce 5 kW at a rated speed of 28 mph (12.5 m/s). To produce that much power at that wind speed it would need to be 281% efficient! Yee ha. That's some windmill. Modern wind turbines, at best, can deliver 40% of the energy in the wind at any specific wind speed. This turbine has a specific rotor loading of 3,360 W/m² of rotor area. Let's compare that to the over rated AirX. The AirX is somewhat smaller so we won't compare actual production, just rotor loading. Remember, the AirX doesn't even deliver what is promised. The specific rotor load for the AirX is about 400 W/m². The Mag-Wind claims to produce from its rotor almost ten times more power than the AirX which can't even meet its performance claims. Ouch. I've never seen such outlandish claims before-and I've seen a lot of them.

Link: Wind-Works.org

Via TreeHugger]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Update-on-the-MagWind-Levitated-Vertical-Wind-Turbine software based cousins, can run widgets. Widgets are displayed on the unit's dual 2.5 inch LCD displays (one colour, one mono).

From the site:

WidgetStation is a desk clock which can run various "widgets". Widgets are small, user-friendly applications that can perform a variety of tasks. Users can even create their own widgets and share them with other WidgetStation users!

And also:

WidgetStation is a standalone device, with services available via Wi-Fi or Ethernet Internet access, without being connected to a computer. Alternatively, users may choose to interface their WidgetStation with a computer via USB connection.

According to the hardware specs, the device will run Linux and will be available in either black or white. The price has not yet been set. See the FAQ for a little more information. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Widget-Friendly-Desk-Clock Kill-a-Watt, the Watts-Up electricity monitor sits between the device whose energy you would like to track and a wall outlet. Both devices present you with a handy display of power comsumption, but the Watts-Up Pro (not the standard) has a USB interface, which allows you to download the stored data onto your PC for further analysis. The data can also be exported to Word or Excel. Conveniently, the Watts-Up displays the cost, in dollars and cents, on the unit's LCD screen.

See also:

Watts-Up and Kill-a-Watt at Amazon.com
The Gadgeteer's review of the Kill-a-Watt
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Watts-Up-Electricity-Consumption-Tracker
Start with a base coat of store-bought black chalkboard paint, and then mix in varying amounts of white chalkboard paint for lighter squares.

The effect is nice and the calendar would probably be quite handy, although it might be tedious painting work to ensure straight and clean lines.

Via Lifehacker ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Chalkboard-Wall-Calendar
Clocky gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off of your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide. Clocky is kind of like a misbehaving pet, only he will get up at the right time.

The unit is also available in a few colours as well as in a brown shag and can jump (fall?) from a 2 foot height.

Via Reddit ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Alarm-Clock-that-Runs-Away-and-Hides-Unless-You-Wake-up http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Festive-Lighted-Glass-Block-Howto
Here's a YouTube video of the product in action.

Since 30% of electricity used in the US is for lighting (the number grows to 45% in retail), the product would theoretically have a huge potential market, especially commercially. The commercial version will light about 1000 square feet at a cost of about $10,000. That may sound expensive, but that's really only because that's a lot of money. However, if the (hard to believe) claims in the video of retailers seeing a 40% boost in sales when using natural lighting is true, then the $10,000 is largely irrelevant when viewed over the long term. According to the video, the company plans on launching a residential unit in 2008. No word on pricing...

Here's an interview with Duncan Earl, CEO of Sunlight Direct, that's also worth a look.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sunlight-Direct-Hybrid-Solar-Lighting DigitalLife show (New York, October 12-15) asking if I would let the readers of this here website know that they will receive free tickets for the event, should they choose to attend.

Quote:

We would be thrilled if you would let your community know that we are offering FREE tickets to this year's event (regular price is $15). To redeem these tickets, just use the source code "INSIDER" on this page, where you can print out your own tickets: http://digitallife.com/tickets.html

I have no relationship with the people running the show but after checking out the site (looks ok, might have a few interesting things) I thought that if anyone was planning on attending anyway, they might as well go for free.

/psa ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DigitalLife-Consumer-Tech-Expo Cydus' has addressed the dearth of residential RFID access controllers in the marketplace by releasing a pair of modern electronic deadbolts. The locks operate as you may expect RFID proximity access controllers to, however, this unit, the MyKey 2300, unfortunately requires that a button be pressed before the unit is ready to read the keychain RFID tag. The higher end unit, the 4000, only requires the card to be in close proximity to the reader for activation. Besides it's raison d'etre; the convenience of keyless entry through small RFID cards, the deadbolts have some interesting features, including this backup battery system in case the unit's batteries die:

Simply touch a 9v battery to the built-in battery terminal and your MyKey 2300 is up and running. The MyKey even stores all of your existing security keys, so even if it's without power, when you turn it back on your access cards and pin combination are fully intact!

Lost or forgotten RFID cards aren't the end of the world either, as the unit comes equipped with a nicely hidden keypad for which to enter your password.

See also: RFID Enabling your front door. This is a homemade RFID entrance controller with a PC backend. The author shares a parts list, source code and cost breakdown (see author's comments ).

Previously: DIR RFID Access to your Front Door
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cydus-Home-RFID-Deadbolts
From the site:

Keep necessities within easy reach. You don't want to waste precious time during dinner prep looking for things. Make a place in the hot zone (around the stove and the sink) for the essentials: oil, vinegar, knives, cutting board. Move special-occasion cookware, like a fondue pot, out of cabinets in the zone so what's left can be neatly organized and easily spotted.

And also:

Make recycling efficient, too. Having a bin for bottles and cans right next to the one for regular trash, instead of out in the garage or in the mudroom, streamlines end-of-meal cleanup.

Link: RealSimple.com ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Keeping-an-Organized-Kitchen
From the site:

This design can be applied to just one wall and can completely alter the focus of the room. In just a few hours Wallter adds life to walls. The effect can either be stunning or subtle, you decide. For easy, no fuss installation these lightweight pieces have a peel-away 3M adhesive backing. The applications can be applied to almost any interior wall or door.

Via Constructiondeal.com]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Unusual-Wall-Treatment some nice examples. From the site:

Fixtures may be cut and shaped to exact size right on the job, and all lamps are easily replaced to keep things in perfect working order.

One could probably make great use of this sort of lighting in a home theatre or in a modern basement bar setting.

See also: Flexible LED Lights by Mule Lighting
]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Tokistar-Flexible-Lighting-System
Use this lightweight burner to clear weeds and their roots in driveways or walkways in summer, or to melt dangerous ice patches in winter. Adjustable regulator valve lets you control flame intensity. Durable, nickel-plated steel and brass burner uses widely available standard 14 oz. propane tank (not included).

These aren't new though: here's a heavier duty unit and a video demonstration of another one in action (although not on weeds, but whatever - you get the idea).

Would it safe to say that people that use these probably aren't the same people that sit on these?

Weed Burner at Amazon.com

Via Toolspotting]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/eXtreme-Gardening-via-Weed-Burners
Link: CNN Money: 4 renovations that kill a home's value

Previously: Best Bang for the Buck Home Remodelling Jobs, Best Return on Investment Home Improvement Tips

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Renovations-that-Kill-Home-Value here.

From the site:

The Chispito Wind Generator is a 100W machine. It outputs 14volts at 280 rpm, so it starts putting power into your batteries in low wind speeds (7-10mph). It makes a perfect addition to an existing solar, or other alternative energy, home system. On its own, it will power lights, radio, and conservative use of appliances such as computer, satellite, blender, drill, etc.

It's interesting to see smaller companies attempting to build/improve wind power systems instead of waiting for some of the larger players in the industry to offer products at more affordable price points. Some of the offerings out there are more than a little pricey and would take many years to produce a postive ROI.

Via Digg]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-Your-Own-Wind-Generator snail mail notifier). The stainless steel unit locks and comes with a tube newspaper receptacle.

The mailbox measures 15.5 by 15 inches and is 4.5 inches deep. $68.

Via RobotDeathSquad]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Slick-Glass-Mailbox-by-Chiasso Google, toilets account for anywhere between 20 to 40 percent of household water consumption. Given that we waste clean, otherwise drinkable water flushing our toilets, it should come as no surprise that many people harvest rainwater for toilets and other household purposes where potable water isn't necessary.

The author of this howto walks us through the setup of a rainwater-to-toilet system, while sharing his reasons for doing so:

While it doesn't come close to making up for our gas-guzzling, high-consuming lifestyles, rain harvesting does have a positive impact on our environment. Domestic potable water collection requires effort, energy, and chemicals for purification and transport...
Your house is an "impermeable surface". Rain would otherwise hit the ground where your house is and soak into the underground water table or enter a natural stream. Instead, rainfall from the roofs of many urban homes is tied into the sewer system. During periods of heavy rain, this storm surge from houses, parking lots, and streets into the sewer system can max out treatment capacity, causing raw sewage to flow out untreated into waterways. Harvesting some of this storm surge can reduce peak demands on our water treatment facilities.
Besides the more important environmental issues, most of us in urban areas pay for domestic potable water. I have calculated that each flush of the rainwater toilet (1.6 gallons) saves me just over 1 cent. Costing less than $100 to install, this system will pay for itself over the years.
Also, I have the satisfaction of a small level of self-sufficiency from an urban lifestyle otherwise dependant on society for survival.
The guide covers the details of rainwater collection, a formula for calculating your harvest potential, detailed pictures of the entire setup (including how to mesh the rainwater system to standard toilet plumbing via selector valve, enabling the toilet to run off of either system) as well as a breakdown of parts and costs for the project.

]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Harvest-Rain-Water-for-Toilet-Water
Sorry.

Hearthfalls manufactures interesting "fireplace waterfalls" that are unlike anything you may have seen before (less, of course, fireplaces and waterfalls). The concept is simple - a waterfall runs within a fireplace immediately in front of the flames to produce a visually interesting piece of art that also offers the soothing sounds of flowing water. Whether or not this will work for people is still to be determined, as the unique design is sure to dichotomize opinion, as any such departure from the traditional would.

Hearthfalls also offers some less expensive "Lightweight " units. The Lightweights are waterfalls made for retrofitting existing fireplaces.

Try to visualize one in your home with the company's interactive fireplace and room designer or just view the existing installations in the gallery here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Waterfall-Fireplaces-by-Hearthfalls handy list of home energy reducing techniques that will not only help make your home a little greener, but will also put some money back in your pocket in the process. Tips cover heating and air conditioning improvements, greener gardening, hardwood floor choices and a few more.

Wikibooks also has a very large page of energy saving tips that should be useful to most of us, including efficient heating and cooling ideas as well as lighting, water, household waste and electricity reducing suggestions. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Ten-Easiest-Ways-to-Green-Your-Home Update: please see this post for an update on the claims of this product. -Sean
If you can't tell by the picture, this is, of course, a "Magnetically-Levitated Axial Flux Alternator with Programmable Variable Coil Resistance, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine". It's called the Mag-Wind MW1100 and, thanks to some interesting technical maneuvering, promises 1100 kWh/month in a 13 mph average wind. The unit will cost around 3.5 cents/kW or, put another way, ROI will be reached in 3 years for someone with an average monthly electric bill of $300 - which sounds very high; a 6+ year ROI might be more realistic for home use. Nevertheless, the inventors claim the unit is cheaper than solar or horizontal wind turbines while requiring much less space to operate. The site's page on roof effect describes how the device can produce as much electricity as it does with such a small footprint:

So, how is it possible to make as much electricity as we do with only a 4-foot sweep? We use the roof of a house or other building to extend our reach and increase the volume of air reaching the sails of our VAWT. This gives us the effect of a larger surface area without actually having a larger vane. The great thing is that every house or other building also has a roof. The roof moves the wind, and that wind has a lot of energy.
The two major factors that determine how much energy is available are the vertical rise of the roof and the pitch, or angle, of the roof. The more rise there is, the more wind will hit it and be moved upward towards the VAWT. This is good. However, the steeper the roof is, the more wind energy will be lost in pressure against the roof and wind moving around the roof and the building as a whole. This is not so good.
A roof with a 10-foot vertical rise and a 30% angle will provide nearly a 200% increase in the amount of wind energy that is available to be turned into electricity. Compared to the same turbine just sitting on a pole, the roof effect increases the power yielded by operation of the wind turbine dramatically.

So, although it might be cost prohibitive for some (most), it might be worth looking into if you live in a fairly windy area, as the faster the average windspeed, the quicker it will be to see significant returns on your investment.

Via Greengeek.ca]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/MagWind-Magnetically-Levitated-Vertical-Wind-Turbine Avega Systems are developing WiFi speakers that connect to your wireless home network. The speakers, called "Oysters", play digital audio streamed directly from your computer. Listeners can control, browse and select media from their PC through the Oyster's graphical remote control. The speakers will also accept input from a CD/DVD source and wirelessly distribute the audio to the other speakers in the room. The Oysters also will accept iPods or other MP3 players, via USB port, which will, again, trigger the connected speaker to distribute the audio via WiFi.

The speakers feature wireless connectivity (801.11 a/b/g), support for DTS, 5.1 surround as well as MP3, OGG, WMA, AAC and FLAC digital audio formats.

The unit also has 2 S/PDIF optical connectors and USB port for wired connections.

CNET feature on the Oysters with video.
Company FAQ and spec sheet (Both PDFs)]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Avega-Oyster-WiFi-Speakers headboard.

Headboards can have a dramatic effect on any bedroom, but they tend not to come cheap. If you don't have a lot to spend and you're plagued by a tiny bed in a big bedroom, then maybe a DIY project like this is what you need to create a handsome focal point while balancing the space.

The different headboard guides offered in the howto all end up in the $70 ballpark, which isn't too bad at all.

Also check out their complete list of DIY projects and crafts here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-Your-Own-Headboard
Via Fepy.com]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Consumer-Reports-Air-Conditioner-Power-Calculator foot in the door' high-heeled doorstop will more elegantly welcome your guests. Hell, do both. These products are from WorldWideFred, which produce clever, lighthearted goods for the home and office, like those pictured here.

Clockwise from top left: Manhole cover welcome mats, Rubberized cast-metal Lift and Shake salt and pepper guy, Silicone Hotheads animal oven mitts and a remote controlled Retro Mood Light Alarm Clock that displays a test patterns while playing cheesy game show theme music.

That's all very well and good for the home, but what if you're looking to enlarge your cellphone (and really, who isn't)? This old time phone receiver that plugs into your cell phone will help you get there. Of course if you really want an old time cell phone, you can go here.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Manhole-Cover-Welcome-Mats-and-Other-Silly-Household-Goods Bullfrog Power is an environmentally friendly electricity supplier that offsets a home's consumed electricity by generating an equal amount of green power from sources such as "EcoLogo-certified low-impact water and wind power" and pumping it back into the public electricity grid.

Customers will be required to pay a premium for this greening, of course; the company says that a typical household can expect to add about a dollar a day to their electricity bill.

A couple of questions and answers from their FAQ:

How is Bullfrog Power generated?
Bullfrog Power sources all of its electricity from power generation facilities that meet the federal government's Environmental Choice Program EcoLogoM standard for renewable, low-impact electricity. Our energy mix is a blend of clean wind and low-impact hydro power that is 100% renewable, emission-free, and has minimal impact on local habitats.

Will my power source be reliable? What if the wind isn't blowing?
All Bullfrog Power's electricity is sourced from EcoLogoM-certified water and wind generation facilities. The electricity produced by these sources is injected onto the Ontario grid, the common power pool that delivers power to homes and businesses throughout the province. When you sign up for Bullfrog Power, you continue to draw your electricity from the grid, meaning that your power supply is just as reliable as it always was. The difference is that you are now supporting renewable power with your electricity dollars, rather than coal, nuclear, oil and gas.

This sort of green energy offsetting is an interesting concept and it will be interesting to see what kind of public interest it generates over the coming years.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Bullfrog-Power Switchlite.com explains how the glass works:

The secret of the transformation between clear glass and translucent glass is found in the Liquid Crystal sheet. In their non-energized state, the Liquid Crystal molecules disperse light. When voltage is applied, however, these same molecules arrange themselves in a specific direction in a way that permits parallel light to pass through the glass.

How Stuff Works offers some more detail on the technology involved.

The "Smart Glass", as it's also called, promises to be a huge energy saver for homeowners over the coming years, as it won't be long before smart glass is coupled with home automation systems that turn the transparency on and off at optimal times throughout the year.

There are a few companies on the web that offer liquid crystal privacy glass, but finding a price on any of their sites seems to be impossible, which means that this flick-of-a-switch privacy glass, although very cool, is also likely to be ultra expensive.

Here's another privacy glass gallery from a company that understands the subtle power of lightning bolt bullet points.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Liquid-Crystal-Privacy-Glass
The Internet claimed that disassembling a toilet to check the flange or to replace the wax ring was easy. Invariably, the same sites that talked about how easy this task was would follow that up by saying, "A TOILET BREAKS EASILY BE CAREFUL!!!!" The sites also varied in how detailed their instructions were, in one case even going so far as to skip the whole "removing the tank" part. As a public service, I'm going to give you the definitive step-by-step guide to disassembling a toilet to repair it.

Also be sure not to miss the toilet diagram Stephen has created, which, although highly technical and beyond the comprehension of the layman, is a useful toilet anatomy nonetheless.

Link: How To Disassemble a Toilet In Many Easy Steps]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Funny-Toilet-Disassembly-Howto DIY concrete countertop project, although that might not be the case once one becomes more acquainted with both jobs, but it does explain why kitchen work can be so costly.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Kitchen-Countertop cables? With the number of peripherals many of us use, it doesn't take long before an evil wireball from hell forms below our desk. An annoying, eye-sore of a cabling situation can quickly become something that is easier to relegate to the to-do list then to actually deal with. Perhaps seeing this sweet, organized cabling solution will help by motivating us to finally take action.

This step-by-step guide from Lifehacker.com uses an Ikea cable management basket, some Zip ties and a power bar to give a computer workstation the appearance of cordlessness. There's nothing groundbreaking about what's being done here, but there is something about seeing great results that can inspire one to take needed action.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Be-CordFree-by-Untangling-your-Computer-Workspace
Here's the basic setup. The garbage can is filled with ice water, which is then fed by gravity (a siphon) through the copper tubing coiled along the back of the fan. The hot air passing through the tubing warms the cold water, cooling the air. Waste warm water is then pumped outside. The system will cool an average room to a comfortable level in approximately 15-20 minutes. Depending on flow rate, a full bucket of water will last approximately 1-3 hours. I use a single bucket before bed on hot nights, which lets me get to sleep. Once the water runs out, the house has cooled off enough that the fan alone provides sufficient cooling.

Recently, someone has posted instructions for making improvements to the homemade air conditioner, which involves an aquarium pump to recycle the water, which in the first generation model, was routed outside the house.

Via LifeHacker]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sub-Thirty-Dollar-Homemade-Air-Conditioner
Here's the criteria they were after, from the article:

It must be cheap. Total budget for all materials to make a 100" diagonal 16:9 screen, including frame, must be less than $100.

It must be simple and quick to assemble. We did not want to make a lifetime hobby out of making a screen. We wanted the materials to be easy to find, and we wanted to put it together in less than two hours of invested labor.

It must be easy to install. We wanted a no muss, no fuss solution with a fixed frame that we could hang on a wall in a matter of minutes.

It must perform!!! We had no delusions that we could invest a hundred bucks and a couple hours labor and come up with a screen that would match the quality of the Stewart screens we use in the projection labs. But how close could we come? That was the challenge. And as you will see below, the results were surprisingly good.

If the cost of the screen is what's been holding you back from buying a projector, perhaps a frugal DIY solution such as this one will be your tipping point.

Article: Make a 100" Screen for under $100]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-a-Hundred-Inch-Screen-for-Under-a-Hundred-Bucks
The flooring goes for $15 a square foot, including North American shipping.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Puzzle-Shaped-Hardwood-Floor and coolest, no?) kitchen gadgets out there, including the Toasterkettle, which, although looks quite strange, probably actually toasts bread, unlike the transparent toaster. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Top-10-Strangest-Kitchen-Gadgets
Speaking of mosquitoes, apparently some clever teens have recorded the so-called Mosquito alarm that malls have been experimenting with to keep kids from loitering (the Mosquito alarm is a high pitched alarm that cannot be heard by most people over 20, but tends to drive teens crazy) and have adapted it to be used, surreptitious, as a quasi-silent ringtone on their cell phones during class. Heh, kids.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Do-it-Yourself-Mosquito-Trap grass, brick, leaves, many different types of stone, pool water, manhole covers, crosswalk and more. Browse the installation gallery to see some of the tiles in use.

Of course, if you can't find the right tile for your space you can always upload a photo you've taken and Imagine will create and deliver your uber unique custom tile for you. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Photographic-Ceramic-Tiles-by-Imagine-Tile ZigBee wireless communication protocol. The system's base station offers internet connectivity that allows for remote monitoring, and the device can also be configured to issue status updates through email or text messages to the homeowner's cell phone.

The system is built in a modular fashion, meaning the device can couple with many different types of (Home Heartbeat) sensors, as they become available. From the site:

The backbone of the Home Heartbeat system is a network of detection sensors: water sensors, open/closed sensors, power sensors, reminder and attention sensors. The sensors can alert the homeowner to a wide range of problems, including pipe leaks and flooding, opened doors and windows, and appliances that are left on. An additional feature is a water shut-off valve that can be controlled and activated by any of the sensors. Reminder and attention sensors can be set to alert homeowners about easy-to-forget tasks, such as changing batteries in smoke detectors or cleaning out the gutters.

According to Fast Company, the basic starter unit offers only one sensor as well as the base unit and keychain and will retail for $149 US. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Home-Heartbeat-Awareness-System
The home is connected to the power grid, but attempts to satisfy as much of it's own energy requirements through alternative, renewable methods as well as utilizing high efficiency construction techniques, resulting in net zero energy consumption for the year.

From the site:

"Zero energy homes get a black eye in my mind," says McKown, "Every time they do a demonstration site, they run out and they hire some brilliant architect and they go off and they build this one-off amazing house that sticks out of the neighborhood like a prairie chicken, and it costs a million dollars. Everybody looks at that and says, 'That's interesting. With enough money, you can do anything.' "We wanted to show that you can take any house out of a builder's product line," McKown continues, "and make it a zero energy house and it would look and feel and be just like a regular house, and it doesn't have to cost a million dollars. We could do it under $200,000."

The home made use of some interesting energy saving technology, such as:

• Tankless water heaters
• Ground source heat pumps
• South facing solar panels
• Low-e vinyl windows
• Fresh Air HVAC system

The home isn't currently one of the models that Ideal Homes sells. The company says that as people toured the home, they were more interested in the energy saving technology found in the home and using it to achieve super high efficiency, rather than actually having a home be zero energy, oddly.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/First-Affordable-Zero-Energy-Home-in-the-US
Very easy installation and anyone can do it. The wall socket safe comes with a template, saw, and a key. You use the template to trace the rectangular pattern on your wall that will become the opening for the hidden safe. You then use the saw to cut through the drywall and make the opening. Slide the wall socket safe into the opening you just created and use the key to lock it. When you need to take something out or put something in, just use the key to open and close it. Looks just like the real thing and can be placed anywhere.

Thieves also wouldn't suspect:

• An Old Fashioned Peanut Butter safe.
• A snooty Royal Crown cola safe.
• An old school Stone safe.
• The odd Leftovers safe.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Hidden-Electrical-Outlet-Safe
  Via BoingBoing]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Invisible-Bookshelf ecologically sound wood flooring products, including many bamboo flooring choices, as well as the beautifully rich Brazilian cherry.
  
  If you're in the market for some wood flooring and are thinking about some of the environmentally friendly flooring options available these days, be warned; the company describes why some forestry protection certifications aren't always what they're cracked up to be on this page. EcoTimber is certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and says this about the weight of that body's approval:
  
  The only forest certification system that enjoys the support of environmental groups worldwide is that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is independent, non-profit, and has a mechanism for tracking wood from the forest floor to the consumer. The U.S. Green Building Council only recognizes FSC certification as evidence of the sustainability of a non-recycled wood product. If you want verification that the wood you are purchasing came from a truly well-managed forest, demand FSC-certified material, and demand proper documentation.
  
  EcoTimber's bamboo offerings are also ecologically friendly:
  
  EcoTimber bamboo flooring is made from bamboo plantations -- not from wild habitats. Bamboo is a highly renewable resource, harvestable only four to six years after being planted. Its low moisture absorption properties make it ideal for humid climates and applications where moisture might pose a challenge for other types of flooring.
  
  Website: EcoTimber.com
  
  Related entry Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Flooring Options. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Bamboo-Flooring solar powered address lights before, but it's always good to have more options on the market - and it doesn't hurt to have sleeker looking options such as these, either. The address numbers are available in two colours; natural aluminium and soon, black.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/More-Solar-Powered-Home-Address-Lights soundproofing discussion over at studio-central.com. The thread begins with the oft recommended carpet and foam wall technique, which, as you'll read, is a total no-no to some - although it's not quite unanimously opposed. The carpet opponents believe carpet and foam to be dangerous potential fire hazards that, lacking any significant mass, have minimal soundproofing ability - which is hotly debated due to many people adding their anecdotal evidence to the contrary.
  
  The discussion offers many links to different, informative soundproofing resources, including this document called Exposing Acoustical Myths (PDF), which really breaks down a lot of the misconceptions people have about the science of soundproofing a space. Another nice resource is this page that details the different drywall, stud and insulation configurations and their corresponding STC ratings. STC ratings are, according to stcratings.com:
  
  ...a single-number rating of a material's or an assembly's ability to resist airborne sound transfer at the frequencies 125-4000 Hz. In general, a higher STC rating blocks more noise from transmitting through a partition.
  
  So, the higher STC the better. Another site worth checking out is Acoustics.com. They've made available an Acoustics 101 overview page, as well as handy project design resources that give detailed tips on designing all sorts of different types of rooms, including home theatres. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Informative-Soundproofing-Discussion automated patio door access solutions for pets, to DIY, front door keyless entry howtos, RFID seems to be everywhere, and its popularity is certainly on the upswing. It should come as no surprise, then, that a home automation-friendly, retail RFID product is now available. The product, which is a joint project between RFID developer iAutomate.com and HomeSeer.com, will run with additional software from HomeSeer, and connect to your PC's serial port. Some possible uses, from the site:
  
  
  • Control the lights, HVAC, garage door or security system when your car approaches or leaves your home. The Ultimate Driveway Sensor !
  • Detect if vehicle is in the garage.
  • Detect a person entering or leaving a room or area.
  • Arm or Disarm Security by individual tag.
  • Automatically open a "pet" door when your pet approaches the door.
  • Control, Lights, Music, and Temperature based upon the presence or absence of a tag...
  
  
  Still, as much as the hardware might allow you to do, $599 seems a bit steep given that it ships with only one RFID reader.
  
  Via Automatedhome.co.uk. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/HomeSeer-RFID-Home-Automation-Starter-Kit home theatre, you may want to think about soundproofing the area. A quality soundproofing job will both prevent outside noises from entering your listening room/theatre and, conversely, give you the freedom to listen to whatever you like without having to disturb your house mates. Here's a drywall option, called QuietRock, that claims to be able to deliver that level of soundproofing. From the site:
  
  
  • A single layer of QR-530 is equivalent to 8 layers of standard drywall (acoustically)
  • QR-525 requires no power saw
  • QR-545 is the only THX Certified soundproofing solution in the world
  • 10x more reliable than resilient channel with no resilient channel liability risks
  • Use like standard drywall (installs without special training)
  • Fire rated. Environmentally friendly. Lab tested. Available in X, anti-mold, greenboard, blueboard, high impact and others
  
  
  Installation video from the website available here (direct link to wmv video).]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/QuietRock-Sound-Proof-Drywall LEDs everywhere will be shunned by civilized society. Children will ask their parents to tell them what it was like having to live before LED toilet seats and blue LED faucet lights, like this one.
  
  This particular life-improving gadget attaches to your bathroom faucet with its included universal adapter and is activated as the water flows through. Once the LEDs are on, the water glows space-age blue. The unit happens to be watch-battery powered, but wouldn't it be cool if it were powered by generating electricity from the water passing through it - would that be even possible or is the gadget simply too small to contain something like that? Anyone know?
  
  Dave, thanks for the tip. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/LED-Faucet-Light
  ExtremeTech.com walks you through the creation of just such a device with this tutorial on creating a handy RFID access controller for the front door of your home. This is a very nice, detailed tutorial that includes a parts list, tool list, software and schematics. The project looks pretty intensive, so set aside a good chunk of time to see it to completion.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-RFID-Access-to-your-Front-Door
  Also see Bar Monkey for pictures of other setups as well as a forum with instructions and help on building your own. If you only need drink ideas, check out the drink search engine, YourNextDrink.com.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Super-Cool-Automated-Computer-Controlled-Bar
  Proliphix offers indoor temperature sensors, which can be mounted away from the thermostat so that temperature inside a home or small business can be averaged across multiple rooms to avoid hot or cold spots and wasted energy. With an optional Proliphix outdoor temperature sensor connected to a networked thermostat, the heating/cooling system can be controlled more precisely to efficiently and more comfortably overcome the indoor to outdoor temperature difference. The web browser configuration tool is simple to use and allows users to easily configure heating or cooling programs to maximize comfort and minimize energy use.
  
  Smarthome sells the Proliphix NT20e, which is the same unit but with 2 additional remote temperature sensors, for use in monitoring different zones within your home or even the outdoor temperature.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Internet-Controllable-Thermostat
  Pricetag: $2950 + shipping. Ouch. The beanbag stays for now.
  
  Via Gizmodo.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Anima-Causa-Flexible-Seating-System GelFireplaces.com carries a few really nice flueless fireplaces that are fuelled by a clean burning alcohol gel, resulting in a smoke-free fire.
  
  From the site:
  
  Gel Fireplaces holds three fuel cans, each container burning approximately three hours and, because there is no flue, all the heat is projected into the room. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Alcohol-Gel-Fuelled-Flueless-Fireplaces here.
  
  From the videos available on Homegain.com:
  
  ...thoroughly cleaning and removing clutter from your home can be worth up to five times what it cost you to do it."]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Best-Return-on-Investment-Home-Improvement-Tips
  The South African solar panels consist of a thin layer of a unique metal alloy that converts light into energy. The photo-responsive alloy can operate on virtually all flexible surfaces, which means it could in future find a host of other applications.
  
  The new panels are 5 microns thick, allowing for a tremendous efficiency improvement over older solar panels that measure about 350 microns thick.
  
  Science in Africa has a November 2004 article with some additional details:
  
  Prof Vivian Alberts of the Department of Physics at the Rand Afrikaans University in South Africa and team have developed and patented a novel manufacturing technique that finally makes it possible to construct CIGS solar panels at a very low cost. The method is easily upscalable to industrial output levels, while remaining much cheaper to produce than conventional silicon solar panels.
  
  Work done over the last two years indicates that panels can be produced in commercial volumes at a cost of about R 500 for a 50 Watt panel. This is much cheaper than existing solar panels available on the market. CIGS is a remarkably stable material and conversion efficiencies should be sustainable for 15-20 years in any given panel.
  
  It will be interesting to see if this technology is able to gain traction and catch on, offering both humanitarian and eco-friendly benefits to the world. Also worth watching is the film-thin photovoltaic solar strips developed by Nobel laureate Alan Heeger's Konarka.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Possible-Solar-Technology-Breakthrough-out-of-South-Africa
  Unlike your neighbor's garage refrigerator that they retired from their kitchen, the Energy Star® qualified Chillerator™ Garage Refrigerator is not only designed to handle the extreme temperature and humidity of the garage environment, it also saves you money by reducing energy consumption.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Chillerator-Garage-Refrigerator inanimate object interaction, then Sanyo's got you covered. Sanyo has developed an intelligent oven with voice navigation capabilities. Although it's difficult to discern from the translated page if the oven is internet aware (as this oven is), the oven does come complete with voice feedback/cooking instructions as well as melodies that play at certain times during the cooking process (i.e. when water has boiled, or cooking is complete). The songs can be downloaded to your mobile phone and IR'ed over to the oven.
  
  via PopGadget]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Finally-a-Stove-with-Voice-Navigation Doormate.com makes an automatic patio door opener aimed at the elderly and people with special needs. The unit is pushbutton controlled (keychain) or activated through the optional, mountable numeric keypad for secure entrance. Once open, the Doormate slides the door closed after a short delay. Aside from the obvious practical benefit for people with special physical needs, the most interesting accessory is the 'Pet Prox' proximity device that clips on to your dog's collar. The device is triggered as the dog comes within a few feet of the Doormate- from either inside or out. This should be a welcome addition to the home for anyone that has a dog with a small bladder or frequent, obsessive hankerings for grass.
  
  Doormate system and Pet Prox add-on available from Smarthome.com.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Doormate-Automatic-Patio-Door-with-Pet-Proximity-Sensor basement floor. The video illustrates DRIcore's tongue and groove system as well as the clever levelling squares that DRIcore utilizes to allow the product to be installed on a standard, non-level basement floor.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Quick-DRIcore-Subfloor-Video Warmlyyours.com has an underfloor heating (or radiant floor heating, if you like) Flash tool that allows you to draw a room to scale in order to produce a cost estimate to install their underfloor heating product. Underfloor heating seems like a better idea all the time, especially each morning as the cold winter months bring your bathroom ceramic tile temperature down to about absolute zero.
  
  Warmlyyours isn't the only underfloor heating company around, of course. There are plenty, including:
  
  
• Radiantec
  
• Deviheat, with do it yourself pictures.
  
• Uponor
  
• Watts Radiant (FAQ)]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Radiant-Floor-Heating-Cost-Estimator http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Detailed-Flash-Laminate-Flooring-HowTo this previous post.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Install-Hardwood-Flooring-Video-HowTo hardwood maple veneer with solid maple table edging doesn't look too shabby - and who cares if it doesn't cook your meal for you as well. From the site:
  
  
• Available in King, Queen, Full, Twin and Long Twin
  
• Completely FREESTANDING - no attachment to floor or wall needed.
  
• The Inova TableBed, as opposed to the basic murphy bed, allows for two different functions in the same space without having to move furniture.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sleep-in-your-Dining-Room-with-Inova-TableBed
  This uniquely designed Pet Bed allows you to have a beautifully decorated home and provide a comfortable place for your favorite pet to sleep. They feature real wood construction. We use no plastic, particle board or vinyl wrap, just solid wood or furniture grade plywood. There are several rich furniture stains to choose from. This Pet Murphy Wall Bed comes with premium slow-down hardware which allows you to adjust the speed that the bed descends to the floor.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Awesome-Murphy-Wall-Bed-for-Pets DRIcore - It looks like you've got some competition that looks a heck of a lot like you. The resemblance is uncanny, really. Anyway, the SubFlor system uses a tongue and groove system that requires only the tap of a hammer to install, and is, like the DRIcore system, suitable for laminate, carpet or hardwood. Vinyl tiles are also possible with an additional underlay of quarter inch thick plywood. Ceramic tiles require an additional "cement board underlayment to ensure absolute sturdiness". The SubFlor site has a Flash based Interactive Installation Guide available.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/SubFlor-SubFloor-System-DriCore-Competitor Pulsar Advanced Technologies, the inventors of the Vulcanus MK4 (now apparently the "Mark 4")microwave based hot water heater, have updated their website, adding some details on the unit:
  
  The Vulcanus Mark 4, is a state of the art microwave hot water delivery system for the 21st Century. It is a containment field otherwise known as a Faraday box, much like the ones used in your microwave oven at home. The unit size is 24x14x7.5 and weighs only 20lbs. It was designed to save on construction costs, as a boiler room is no longer necessary but was made esthetically appealing so that it could fit as a “stand alone” fixture. Its compact size allows the Contractor, Plumber or Developer the versatility to place the unit as close or as distant to the water outlets as is desirable.
  
  Also, some details from the gas to microwave comparison page:
  
  
• Electricity used only when required
  
• No storage tank
  
• Can fit on wall or closet
  
• Eliminates possible bacterial growth
  
• Corrosion of elements - nil
  
• Unlimited hot water
  
• Gas infrastructure not required
  
• 20 year life span
  
• Weight-20lbs
  
  It looks the company will be showcasing the Mark 4 at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas in May, 2006.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/More-Info-on-the-Vulcanus-MK4-Microwave-Hot-Water-Heater http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-Your-Own-Hot-Tub
  DRIcore is an ideal product to use on basement floors - or workshops. The plastic cleats raise the panels off the floor, allowing moisture to pass underneath. The DRIcore that Brigitte chooses for her workshop is perfect for so many reasons. It’s ideal for moist conditions, it’s attractive and it’s super easy to install.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-System-Installation-HowTo
  via boing boing]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Strange-Under-Bed-Nightlight Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter but don't want to spend the money, why not make your own poor man's version? From the site:
  
  There were of course the usual hanging planters that are really nothing more than a regular pot with strings tied to a ceiling hook. These really didn’t appeal to me due to previous experiences where the water of flowed down through the soil and filled the overflow basin at the bottom. Another option is hanging inverted planters which have been around for a very long time. Some in a much older design made from terra cotta in a traditional mexican style and a newer one made of plastic that had internal foam spacers for dirt/water containment. This naturally put my mind into make it myself mode.
  
  With flora becoming so elevated lately, we may never get to try the nifty gardening chair, sadly.
  
  
  ***Fixed the link. sorry bout that! Sean ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-Your-Own-Topsy-Turvy-Tomato-Planter http://www.househacker.com/permanent/LED-Enhanced-Light-Switch-Wallplate in-wall fireplaces that look less like fireplaces than art, and Canada's ThermArt is no exception - in fact they make some of the nicest specimens, if you ask us. The company lists five models on their website: the Teardrop (pictured), Quote, Flow, Bouquet and Clarity. Be sure to check out their installation gallery, available for your surfing pleasure.
  
  If you reside in Europe, Safretti produces similarly stunning units.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/More-Gorgeous-In-Wall-Fireplaces-by-ThermArt aquarium project, documented step by step. Definitely set aside at least the weekend for this one. It's impressive to see something like this, as you know that there can't be too many people that have the time, money or spousal approval to pull something like this off...]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Howto-Build-a-Fifty-Thousand-Gallon-Fish-Tank http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Solar-Powered-Home-Address-Lights wishing well illusion coffee table isn't your speed, maybe you'd be happier with this pinball machine coffee table (with working lights, of course) that you can build yourself with instructables.com's thorough step-by-step pictorial. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sweet-Pinball-Coffee-Table-Howto Monogram Collection, offer this monster of a wine cooler that comes complete with a wine inventory system familiar with 20,000 wines (which will come in handy as the vault stores over a thousand bottles), optional internet action that allows you to browse your wines from work (maybe while you preheat your oven over the net as well), as well as a handy touchscreen and bar code scanner.
  
  Price tag: $35,000.
  
  A few features, from the site:
  
  
• Provides storage for more than one thousand bottles on premium-quality, moisture-resistant redwood racks.
  
• Racks are arranged for single-, double- and triple-bottle storage, while also accommodating magnum bottles and crates.
  
• Liquid-based, digital thermostat system offers precise control over temperature, allowing adjustment between 50°F and 70°F, while maintaining ideal humidity conditions.
  
• Stainless steel walls and door have a high-density foam (R-33 value) that helps ensure precise temperature and energy-efficient performance.
  
  
  via Kitchen Contraptions]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/GE-Monogram-Collection-Mean-Looking-Walk-in-Wine-Vault Doityourself.com has many useful step by step articles for home renovations and repairs, including this one on waterproofing your basement which may be useful to anyone with a leaky basement and looking to save some money by attempting to do the repairs themselves. The site also has a large, active forum with over 40,000 members.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Basement-Waterproofing-Howto
  Kudos to the Kohler people for having the DXF (CAD) files available on their site for anyone needing them.
  
  via thecoolhunter.net]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sink-with-Built-in-Cooking-Basin Lifehacker has a nice howto on setting up your own personal web server, giving you the ability to do things like stream mp3s from your personal collection to work, set up a web based shared calendar for your family or give yourself quick access to your personal files from anywhere you've got net access. The system is password protected of course, but it is built on a windows box, so beware and be patched.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Nice-Howto-on-Setting-up-your-own-Personal-Web-Server furnicreations.com. The clock captures quite the retro look, and would fit right in with basement wood panelling and A-Team lunch boxes. Of course, if your house isn't going for that old school look but rather has never quite left old school, then it would work just as well. The site is in flash so there's no direct link, but just click on 'store' to browse their unique, if small, product line.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Large-Retro-Digital-Wooden-Box-Clocks
  Use one of the included extension units to connect your router to the AuraGrid, and wire the additional extensions into the cable entry point of the rooms to be connected. Each comes with an antenna: Rooms that are equipped with an AuraGrid antenna will enjoy maximum wireless signal strength as well as data throughput without interrupting cable TV/Internet services.
  
  Great idea.
  
  via engadget]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Use-Existing-Cabling-to-Extend-your-Home-WiFi-Network-with-AuraGrid EcoSmart produces these unique, flueless fireplaces that can be installed essentially anywhere, as they do not require any sort of permanent fixture or fitting. The company makes many different 'shells' that house the actual burner unit which operates using a green fuel. From the site:
  
  The EcoSmart® Fire is fuelled by a renewable energy source called Denatured Ethanol. Ethanol is an absolute alcohol, produced by the fermentation of sugars originating from agricultural and forestry products; mainly sugarcane, potatoes, bananas, beetroot and recently from cereals such as wheat.
  
  What are EcoSmart® Fires? The EcoSmart® Fire is a new, innovative style of open fireplace. It is environmentally friendly, aesthetically appealing, efficient and cost effective. The modular design means it is versatile enough to fit into a wide range of architectural environments. Whether installed in a loft, studio, apartment, terrace house or freestanding home, the EcoSmart Fire provides the 'primal' warmth and comfort of fire while enhancing the contemporary aesthetics of today's living environments. In essence, it is designed to be an inspiring, mobile 'piece of furniture'.
  
  And yes, according to the FAQ, the fireplaces do indeed produce heat (about 13000BTU's worth).]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Beautiful-Environmentally-Friendly-Flueless-Fireplaces-by-EcoSmart Foxit Reader, which makes loading and reading PDFs a dream by comparison. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Bring-PCs-up-to-Speed-with-Google-Pack-PC-Essentials-Kit
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Multilayer-Home-Office-Desk Two minutes in the spindryer will save you thirty minutes in the clothes dryer!
  
  So says the website of Spin-X, the clothes drying centrifuge. You may have seen similar devices at your local public swimming pool, allowing swimmers to quickly dry their swim suits before placing them in their gym bags. The Spin-X attempts to bring that same centrifugal power into the home. The site has a list of reasons to use the Spin-X, including this one addressing the important energy usage question:
  
  [The device] Will remove one quart of water from clothing using only 15 seconds worth of clothes dryer electricity.
  
  At $450, the device would take a while to pay for itself, but the energy (and therefore cost) savings combined with quicker dry times and environmental benefits would appeal to many. Could this device not, theoretically, be constructed to harness human foot power instead of electricity, or perhaps a version that would allow you to use electricity or muscle power, at one's discretion? ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Save-Energy-with-the-SpinX-Clothes-Drying-Centrifuge FiltersOnTime.com offers a service that promises to send you furnace filters in the mail throughout the year. The beauty of the system is that the filter's arrival is also a reminder to change the old filter currently in your furnace! Very clever. It looks as though the service is available to US destinations only, unfortunately. Send a note or leave a comment if you know of any similar services for people outside the US.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Receive-Filters-in-the-Mail-and-Forget-about-Forgetting-with-Clever-Service Michael Douglas had a hand in designing in the 1980s. Apparently people with money dig LCDs rising from bed foot boards quite a bit - and it's hard to blame them, really.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Wired-Article-on-the-Coolest-Rooms-on-Earth some money as well.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Arcade-Driving-Game-Cockpit kitchen is great, but shoving them deep into a cabinet usually means only the most common, frequently used spices remain accessible - much to the detriment of your culinary creations. So, most people have a spice rack to keep things in order and available. What most people don't have, is a sweet, space saving "Zero Gravity, Magnetic Spice Rack" like this one. From the site:
  
• Only design available where you can store spices on both top and bottom of spice rack, which maximizes space and reduces clutter
  
• Windows on spice canisters indicate when spices are getting low]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Zero-Gravity-Magnetic-Spice-Rack http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Protect-Yourself-with-this-Bedside-Table recroom or bar decor idea, then this fibre optic rug from designer Jody Harrow should do the trick.
  
  via blog.hazaad.com - Thanks John!
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cool-Fibre-Optic-Rug Glass Block w/ Mini Lights howto. If you're comfortable drilling into glass and haven't had too much egg nog, then you shouldn't have any trouble with this simple project. This is a beautiful craft that emits a warm, soft glow that is really inviting, creating the perfect festive ambiance.]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Make-a-Festive-Lighted-Glass-Block candles. From the site:
  
  Hygge-lys Paraffin candle with a built-in matchbox. Walton was inspired to create these candles shortly after coming to Denmark. In Scandinavia, cosiness - locally known as hygge - is often associated with the use of candles. Walton quickly perceived the need for a special candle that kept the matches within easy reach. So he cast a little matchbox in the bottom of each candle, and produced a little booklet to explain the genesis of the product.
  
  via smartstuff.se]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Ingenious-Candles-with-Built-In-Matchbook E-ink. The clock is only 3mm thick and can bend around pillars, making it visible from many angles. This would be a fine addition to any recroom, fitting in nicely with your 360 degree LED television. From Yahoo:
  
  Citizen will start production of the clock early next year upon receiving orders with a price tag at 500,000-600,000 yen (4,200-5,000 dollars) each.
  
  via engadget]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Citizen--Shows-Off-3mm-Thin-Flexible-Clock basement or gameroom. If buying one is out of the question, why not consider building your own MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) unit? This howto describes the steps from cutting the MDF to installing fans, speakers and of course buttons and joysticks. They've included a parts list with costs, which totalled £ 630.79 (about 1,118.19 USD), which is nearly $2,ooo cheaper than the Costco and Target models.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DIY-Arcade-Cabinet unique "three dimensional, form pressed plywood element for modern interior decoration with wood."
  The unique 3D style of the panels would look super cool in a recroom or bar. The brochure (PDF) indicates that the panels definitely aren't the most inexpensive ceiling option in the world, however...
  
  Ceiling Scenes "utilizes state-of-the art technology to print images or patterns directly onto acoustic ceiling tiles, creating truly custom ceilings. Whether you desire bright, colourful scenery or a subtle and serene visual treatment, our capabilities offer limitless potential to create genuinely unique environments." These images seem suitable mostly for a child's bedroom or play area, but an adventurous decorator might be able to work them into other spaces as well.
  
  These tin ceiling tiles offer a very elegant, sophisticated look that can also be mounted as a backsplash.
  
  via metafilter]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/A-Few-Unique-Ceiling-Tile-Options unique way to store cookies and disturb young children at the same time. Also, Marcel Dzama sure doesn't seem very happy. ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Cute-and-Depressing-Melting-Snowman-Canisters-by-Marcel-Dzama
  Our network uses solar powered radio repeaters and is completely wireless. We can contact sites by phone, internet or license-free UHF radio across a 40 km radius...
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Intelligent-Weather-Aware-Lawn-Irrigation-System 03-29-2006 UPDATE: Please note that there appears to be a patent infringement dispute between PowerPipe and GFX Technology. See first comment below for more.
  -Sean
  
  The PowerPipe drain water heat recovery system is a unique product that uses the hot water flowing down the drain to preheat the cold water entering the hot water heater. From the site:
  
  Power-PipeTM raises the temperature of incoming cold water by recycling free heat from waste water going down the drain. Approximately 80% to 90% of all hot water energy goes down the drain, allowing the Power-PipeTM to recycle as much as 60% of the wasted heat.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/PowerPipe-Drainwater-Heat-Recovery-System original post about the Vulcanus MK4 microwave based water heater, the Pulsar Advanced Technologies website found in the Globe and Mail article turned out to be a work in progress. It looks as though the Pulsar Advanced Technologies people have another website, found here. Website number two has some actual information on the Vulcanus MK4, including a FAQ and a tiny picture, seen here. Apparently PAT, as I call them, are developing two models:
  
  To begin with, we have two models whose function is to deliver two temperatures to several points of use. The first model has the capabilities to go from 35F-140F within seconds and supply multiple outlets concurrently. That is to say that this base model can service a bath/shower, and all other household faucets endlessly. The second model is equally fluid, but through a secondary thermostat control will deliver water at a higher temperature to service dishwashers and washing machines along with the various bathroom and kitchen amenities.
  
  Stay tuned... ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Update-on-the-Vulcanus-MK4-Microwave-Water-Heater basement floors require the installation of a subfloor to provide warmth by raising the basement floor up off of the cold concrete foundation. Installing a subfloor tends to be a fair amount of work, as a traditional subfloor system consists of, according to DRIcore:
  
  2x4 sleepers, vapour barrier, 1"-2" rigid insulation, 5/8" plywood and a lot of fastening.
  
  The DRIcore system looks to be a more elegant solution. DRIcore comes in 2'x2' tiles and utilizes a tongue and groove system for easy installation. Also, from their FAQ:
  
  DRIcore subfloor panels are engineered specifically for cold, damp environments typically found in basements. DRIcore subfloor panels are manufactured with a high density polyethylene moisture barrier that raises the 5/8" random wafer board core a ¼" away from damp, cold concrete floors. Since the panels are raised off the surface, the concrete floor is allowed to breathe.
  
  DRIcore claims to save some headroom as well:
  
  The combined height [of a traditional subfloor] is between 2 ¼" and 5 ¼" compared to 7/8" for a DRIcore subfloor panel.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/DRIcore-Subfloor-Tile-System Dead Horse Warning:
  Adding an old style gas pump booze dispenser to your bar will prompt your guests to say "fill 'er up!" well over a thousand times.
  The dispenser is 2 feet high and 5 inches in diameter.
  
  
  
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Gas-Pump-Beverage-Dispenser ceramic tile or hardwood floors which require constant sweeping action. The SweepEZE vacuuming dustpan powers its 600w motor on when the activity sensing infrared beam is broken by debris, which is then vacuumed up into the unit.
  
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Sweep-Debris-into-the-SweepEZE-Automatic-Dustpan ConsciousFlooring.com offers sustainable flooring products manufactured using materials such as bamboo, cork, natural linoleum, and wood that is:
  
  sustainably-harvested, recycled, non-toxic, and made from rapidly renewable materials.
  
  And furthermore:
  
  At Conscious Flooring we strive to be as energy efficient as possible. By shipping direct to your job site we eliminate the need for the volumes of unnecessary energy that goes into shipping and warehousing showroom products. Our offices utilize full spectrum compact fluorescent lighting, wind generated website hosting, methane and other renewable energies, and to top it all off we are even [travelling] on biodiesel! In addition, we pride ourselves on being an almost paperless company storing most of our data on computers, the little paper we do use is usually 100% recycled.
  
  See also:
  
  
• GreenFloors.com
  
• SustainableFlooring.com
  
• GreenHomeGuide : Flooring
  ]]> http://www.househacker.com/permanent/Environmentally-Friendly-Sustainable-Flooring-Options CathyMoore.com shows you how to stain concrete on the cheap. After some initial testing, trial and error, her floor seems to turn out very warm and inviting (and professional). The procedure