Green means go, red means stop... Ambient Devices understands the influence basic colors can have on our actions. So Consumer Powerline teamed up with the color-changing device folks to produce a tool that tells us when we need to use less energy: the Home Joule.

We think the color and information the Home Joule provides would allow us to become smarter energy consumers overall, primarily because of the awareness factor.

Via the same technology as pagers, the Home Joule receives updated information about energy costs and consumption across the grid, and correlates that with your own home's energy usage to produce a color, as well as other relevant information that can help you save energy--and earn money at the same time. Oh, and it can tell you the weather too.

Reducing your consumption can then result in lower utility bill, and even cash rewards. Currently, the Home Joule is available in New York City, with eventual plans to expand nationwide.

(Re-edited from a post originally posted 03.29.07)