CROSSPOINT BLOG

Last Thursday the California Energy Commission voted to regulate phone chargers, computer power supplies and other small battery chargers.  Most of us remember this body as the group that imposed new energy consumption limits on flat panel televisions a couple of years ago.  

The manufacturers are as usual not happy about more rules and regulations especially when just as they get the regulators in California happy they get to start over with the Department of Energy.  Talk about the potential for a bunch of different standards maybe on a state by state basis.  Wh...

So about a week ago my neighbor asked me to help his friend (who also lives in our neighborhood) design a home theater for his basement on a pretty tight budget. No problem, this is what I (and most of those who will read this blog) do. I equate my skills to owning a truck, once someone finds out that I know how to design a proper home theater, I am their new best friend. Honestly, I love it because I can help out a friend and keep my design skills going.

So, I take a look at his basement, tell him what projector, screen, speakers and amplifier that he should buy and say that I will...

The LED market is growing: if you don’t believe us, check out all the LED lights outside of people’s homes this season. Many utility companies are even offering rebates to customers who switch from traditional lights to LED lights. This may just be the foot-in-the-door LED lighting needs in the residential market.

By 2013 LED lighting is projected to take 40 percent of the total global lighting market.* And with 60 percent of consumers growing more concerned about their electric bills**, there is no better time than now to brush up on the latest trends and facts in LED l...

For many electronic systems contractors (ESCs), discussing the financials of your business seems as appealing as getting a root canal. In an industry filled with people who do what they do because of a passion for technology, the “business” side of running a business can sometimes seem like a necessary evil.

But if your company is not making money and you don’t know why, the answer may be hiding in your financial statements. And you may not be able to find the solutions you need if your financial statements are not organized in a meaningful way.

Many ESCs rel...

Reposted with permission from electronichouse.com

Energy may be a topic for the U.S. Congress this fall. But will homeowners be rewarded with real incentives for making energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes?

I had a chance to speak with legislative aides for Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Scott Brown, (R-Mass.) about this subject last week at the EnergySmart Conference hosted by energy management and demand response company EnerNOC in Bo...