Design Stream - product and packaging innovation consultants

EMe is a simple system which has been designed by Design Stream for Japanese appliance manufacturer Zubann to do just that - a more convenient way of encouraging and reminding people to switch off. The system comprises of two parts: a monitoring unit fitted between the appliance plug and wall socket and a low power LCD display and switching unit. The display and wireless switching unit is designed to be positioned next to light switches - a highly visible position for displaying energy consumption and enables the user to switch off appliances connected to the plug, almost simultaneously as turning the lights off at night. The display indicates power consumption in standby mode, and only when EMe is activated and the appliances switched off, does the counter display appear static. Any power consumed in standby mode is registered as a cumulative increase, serving as constant reminder to users to switch off.

At Design Stream we believe that bringing energy use in our daily frame of reference is an essential part of stimulating a change in behaviour that prevents us wasting our planets valuable resources.

To learn more about EMe or to discuss how Design Stream can help you create more environmentally sustainable propositions, please contact chaz@designstream.co.uk

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Standby for a Revolution

Effecting change in our environmental outlook...

By leaving TV sets and other gadgets on standby, the equivalent of around two power stations worth of electricity each year is wasted in the UK alone. Standby is silently sapping our electricity, our wallets and life out of the environment.

Technological advances to reduce the power consumption of products in standby have helped address the problem, however the large number of older electronics still in use means we need to look at ways of stimulating a change in our behaviour to encourage switching off of appliances. In doing this we can immediately effect change, actually save money and also the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.