14 DAY TRIAL // Given the fact that most people tend to pay a higher electricity bill than they normally should due to various losses along the power lines and the improper use of various home electronics, a company called ThinkEco has decided to lend them a helping hand and developed the modlet, a device that should save home owners quite a few bucks.
The modlet (short for modern outlet) is touted as being the first wirelessly-communicating intelligent outlet that saves consumers money by reducing energy waste from plugged-in appliances and other consumer electronics.
Power consumption is controlled through the modlet's web-based interface, which allows users to see where they are wasting energy, and empowers them to take immediate action by accepting modlet-generated savings-plan recommendations.
In the home, the modlet is expected to pay for itself through the energy savings, on average, within six to nine months, which is really something worth noting, especially since, as you'll see a bit later, the price of this thing isn't exactly very high.
"There are more appliances and consumer electronics in homes today than ever before, and many draw power all the time, even if they are not being used. This wastes energy quietly and invisibly, in stark contrast to the very visible waste associated with other resources such as keeping your faucet on or idling your car," said Jun Shimada, president and CEO of ThinkEco, Inc.
"The good news is that the modlet can help to eliminate this wasteful use of power by intelligently scheduling outlets to automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they are not needed, and then turn them back on at a pre-set time based on historic usage patterns," the company's CEO added.
After being officially introduced at CES 2011, ThinkEco's modlet will be available for home use this spring with an MSRP of $50 for a starter kit that includes a two-plug modlet and a USB receiver.