




This idea, designed for children, but also useful for some forgetful adults, demonstrates the length of time a light is left on.  Called the Tio, the concept of an energy saving light switch is designed to make children more aware of the energy they use in lighting their rooms. The color changes from green to yellow to red the longer the light is left on. There is also a web application that provides tracking of lighting use over time and includes information about how energy affects trees, animals and the local environment.

While it doesn't seem  practical for every home to have a Tio (one or more), maybe a Tio could be a class project and students could take it home for a week at a time and the class could track their own light usage.   It's more the idea that design is constantly thinking of ways to incorporate energy savings into daily living in ways that are intriguing, beautiful or unexpected. 

The Tio will be featured in the Museum of Modern Art upcoming exhibition in NYC.

From Tim Holley Design, the case study and more information is here and other household gadgets that track energy usage are at Springwise.


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