Green Options » best buy

Ward Off Energy Sucking Vampires Just in Time for Halloween

Robin Shreeves — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:16:08 +0000

Did you know that you could have vampires in your home at this very moment? Most of us do - in the form of a vampire load. A vampire load (also known as a phantom load) is the power that is sucked from a piece of electronic equipment when it is seemingly turned off (but still in standby use) or not in use.

In order to bring awareness to this waste of energy, Best Buy has created National Vampire Awareness on October 30th. They are working to educate consumers on the effects of vampire loads and how to avoid unnecessary energy use. They have a Halloween spoofy video on their website to help them do the job as well as some facts and tips.

Best Buy Decides That All Future Stores Will Be Eco-Friendly

Michael dEstries — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:38:30 +0000

Deciding that "Hey, all this green building actually saves us money!" massive media chain Best Buy will only be constructing eco-friendly stores starting in early 2008. The shift in construction methods — according to the United States Green Building Council — will save the corporation almost one-third in energy costs. Over time, that’s big bucks, considering how large Best Buy’s outlets are. From the article,

"The Best Buy prototype will have some combination of energy-efficient lighting, rainwater recycling, recycled or otherwise eco-friendly building materials, a high-efficiency HVAC system and some type of day-lighting system."

One of the technologies most likely under consideration for the day-lighting system is something called "Hybrid Solar Lighting". This tech — somewhat related to how the Egyptians used to light the inside of their massive structures — uses mirrors to direct light through optical fibres connected to specially adapted bulbs. If it gets cloudy outside, the sensors automatically adjust internal standard lighting conditions appropriately. Using such systems can save a store like Best Buy more than 8,000 kilowatt hours a year in heating and cooling costs. According to some studies, such natural lighting conditions are also good for your health.

Anyways, this move by Best Buy is encouraging since of the more than 800 LEED certified projects out there, only 50 are retail. If BB can take the first step in committing to sustainable building, hopefully the other big box stores will not be far behind. Stay tuned.

via Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal

Also on GO:

The Bentonville Diaries: Bentonville Sam’s Club

Geek Squad Taking a Step Towards Helping the Environment

Alex Ho — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:23:45 +0000

The Geek Squad is partnering with IdeaFestival to promote a contest for ideas that help with e-waste, power conservation, and untapped resources. The Geek Squad is a national 24-hour computer support service that is offered by Best Buy stores around the nation.

The Idea Festival is a 3 day event from September 13-15, 2007 in Louisville, Kentucky, that gathers together leaders and thinkers across the nation to explore and celebrate innovations and ideas. Together, Geek Squad and Idea Festival are looking for great ideas in the following areas:

Solutions for eWaste: As much as technology is making life easier for most of us, the growing problem of eWaste is making things harder for the environment. Whether it’s an idea for a great piece of art made from recycled motherboards, or a biodegradable laptop made from sunflower seeds, Geek Squad wants to hear it.

Power Conservation: The world is awash in battery inefficiencies. Got a schematic for a more efficient solar panel? Send it in to Geek Squad. Think the world should harness the collective power of stationary bike riders and use it to heat museums? Even better.

Maximizing Untapped Resources: Geek Squad wants to hear about untapped resources, be they people they aren’t talking to but should, how to maximize ordinary things for extraordinary purposes (corn helps us make fuel now), or something else entirely.

The main purpose of the site is to promote ideas that people can suggest and it will also allow you to rate ideas submitted by others. Winners will get an all-expenses-paid trip to Idea Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. I am not sure how much fun you can have in Kentucky outside of the event, but the event sure sounds cool.

The Geek Squad Challenge

Idea Festival