Single Inlet EV Charging is Here

Big names in global car manufacturers have announced a common method for charging electric vehicles. The companies are in agreement with a common charging technology for use on electric vehicles in Europe and the United States. The new method will provide special convenience by enabling car owners to charge their EVs using AC or DC from a single inlet. The charging system will allow for both alternating current and faster direct current charging on the same port. Another feature of the new system is that the charge can be done in faster time; a battery charge will take only 15 to 20 minutes.

Local Economy Gets Better

Electricity use is closely tied to the state of the economy, and I'm pleased to announce some very positive news based on EWEB's First Quarter 2012 sales figures. Total retail consumption increased by 2%, over 2011 consumption. Residential consumption was up 1% from Q1 of last year. General Service and industrial sales, with the exception of Hynix, were up by 3.1% and are at the highest level since 2008.

WiFi Thermostats

As technology marches on, even thermostats have been affected. Now you can buy a "wifi thermostat" (or "ip thermostat", "internet thermostat", etc) which will allow you to control your thermostat settings remotely, be it from a computer or even your iPhone! I suppose some people may utilize this technology to hang out in bed in the morning before turning up the heat with their phone, but these devices are really handy for the frequent traveler, landlord, or anyone who owns a vacation home. While a programmable thermostat has already made many people's lives easier (and cheaper), a thermostat with wireless capabilities takes things to a whole new level. Now, while a wifi thermostat is cool and affordable for many, it is still a relatively new technology. Before buying one of these gadgets yourself, make sure you understand how things work. http://www.squidoo.com/wifi-thermostat