16 Products To Help You Save Money And Cut Energy Usage
A Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist Fan if you loveeee walking through the misters at Disney and want to bring the experience home. This bb — which can be configured as a pedestal or tabletop fan — uses way less electricity than an AC, but still lowers temperatures by up to 12 degrees. And you can even pop some ice cubes in the tank for extra chill factor!
A set of Bedsure cooling sheets so you can turn off your AC and still comfortably sleep through the night without flipping and flopping around like a hot dog on a damn grill.
And Rest's Evercool Cooling Comforter with temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking fabric so you don't have to rip apart your bed in an attempt to get quality sleep. The brand's proprietary fabric has a "feel temperature" (aka a Qmax Score) much lower than cotton, bamboo, silk, and lyocell!
Some magnetic air vent deflectors so you can redirect airflow toward the center of your room because right now it's seemingly going right through the wall???
Some transparent weather stripping tape to seal up gaps between your AC unit and window. If your AC has made quite a few moves or you have wonky window frames, you know how tough it can be to get the right fit.
And a roll of thick foam tape weatherstripping you can install around every door frame while you're at it.
A set of smart LED bulbs that'll be wayyy more efficient than those incandescent ones you've been using. Not only do LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, but they don't give off any heat, which can truly make a difference!
A set of blackout thermal curtains that not only block out light, noise, and heat, but prevent cool air from escaping because that is just money straight down the drain.
Or a set of motorized shades which offer a different look, but will work much the same. Plus, they can block out light with the push of a button or a simple Alexa voice request.
A Dyson dual air purifier and fan that'll not only blast you with icy cold air, but also capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size, including pollen, bacteria, and pet dander. While it's an investment upfront, it'll certainly pay off as seasonal allergies + wildfire smoke + 90-degree days are no match for this baby.
A two-pack of affordable draft blockers because you'll be damned if you pay even a penny for any cool air that Houdinis its way out of the house.
An attic stairway insulation cover that creates a seal so none of the air you paid for escapes up into the attic for your mice and squirrel friends to enjoy instead...
A therapeutic cold cap tons of reviewers swear by not only for alleviating intense headache, sinus, and eye pain, but also for deeper sleep on hot summer nights. Pop this in the freezer, throw it on before you go to bed, and you might just be able to get away without your AC running through the night.
A set of Japanese-engineered cooling pillowcases with fibers designed to absorb your body heat as you sleep. How cool is that?!
Or an affordable silk pillowcase that will prevent you from flipping and re-flipping your pillow in a desperate bid to chase the cool side.
When your fan is going, your cold cap is fresh out of the freezer, and you've slipped under some silky sheets:
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
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Buzz Feed
24-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
16 Products To Help You Save Money And Cut Energy Usage
A power consumption meter to help you track down the energy vampires in your home. You know, the TVs, computers, small kitchen appliances, and other electronics that leach energy even when they're turned off or in standby mode. A Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist Fan if you loveeee walking through the misters at Disney and want to bring the experience home. This bb — which can be configured as a pedestal or tabletop fan — uses way less electricity than an AC, but still lowers temperatures by up to 12 degrees. And you can even pop some ice cubes in the tank for extra chill factor! A set of Bedsure cooling sheets so you can turn off your AC and still comfortably sleep through the night without flipping and flopping around like a hot dog on a damn grill. And Rest's Evercool Cooling Comforter with temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking fabric so you don't have to rip apart your bed in an attempt to get quality sleep. The brand's proprietary fabric has a "feel temperature" (aka a Qmax Score) much lower than cotton, bamboo, silk, and lyocell! Some magnetic air vent deflectors so you can redirect airflow toward the center of your room because right now it's seemingly going right through the wall??? Some transparent weather stripping tape to seal up gaps between your AC unit and window. If your AC has made quite a few moves or you have wonky window frames, you know how tough it can be to get the right fit. And a roll of thick foam tape weatherstripping you can install around every door frame while you're at it. A set of smart LED bulbs that'll be wayyy more efficient than those incandescent ones you've been using. Not only do LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, but they don't give off any heat, which can truly make a difference! A set of blackout thermal curtains that not only block out light, noise, and heat, but prevent cool air from escaping because that is just money straight down the drain. Or a set of motorized shades which offer a different look, but will work much the same. Plus, they can block out light with the push of a button or a simple Alexa voice request. A Dyson dual air purifier and fan that'll not only blast you with icy cold air, but also capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size, including pollen, bacteria, and pet dander. While it's an investment upfront, it'll certainly pay off as seasonal allergies + wildfire smoke + 90-degree days are no match for this baby. A two-pack of affordable draft blockers because you'll be damned if you pay even a penny for any cool air that Houdinis its way out of the house. An attic stairway insulation cover that creates a seal so none of the air you paid for escapes up into the attic for your mice and squirrel friends to enjoy instead... A therapeutic cold cap tons of reviewers swear by not only for alleviating intense headache, sinus, and eye pain, but also for deeper sleep on hot summer nights. Pop this in the freezer, throw it on before you go to bed, and you might just be able to get away without your AC running through the night. A set of Japanese-engineered cooling pillowcases with fibers designed to absorb your body heat as you sleep. How cool is that?! Or an affordable silk pillowcase that will prevent you from flipping and re-flipping your pillow in a desperate bid to chase the cool side. When your fan is going, your cold cap is fresh out of the freezer, and you've slipped under some silky sheets: Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
23-07-2025
- Buzz Feed
25 Genius Home Upgrades That Transform Daily Life
Sometimes, a small addition to your home can make such a big difference that you wonder how you ever lived without it. Recently, people on Reddit shared their favorite small home upgrade that improved their lives, and it's given me a ton of ideas. Here's what people had to say: "I got a smart bulb in my bedroom lamp that slowly comes up in brightness for 20 minutes before my alarm goes off. Because our bodies are programmed to wake with the rising sun, I actually feel more awake when the alarm goes off, rather than like a patient being jarringly shocked back to life by an alarm going off in the dark." —HaiKarate "We added smart open/close sensors connected to smart thermostats, so if someone leaves any window open, it sets temp high in summer or low in winter and then reverts to regular schedule when windows close. Also notifies me of which window opens/closes." "Ceiling fan on the back porch to keep bugs away." "A high-quality garden hose and nozzle. The nozzle is a nice-to-have, but the hose is just soooo much easier to use. Such a time saver when getting it out and hanging it back up. Less kinks and easier to move around." —DavidAg02 "Motion sensor switches in the laundry room and walk-in closets. My wife kept forgetting to turn off the light in her closet, so I installed them. Typically, we have our hands full moving folded laundry, so a motion sensor switch eliminates us from using our elbows/hands. Also keeps the wall and switch clean since we also go in and out to the garage through the laundry room." "I started keeping scissors in every drawer, and as they migrate away, I just keep replacing them until the house reaches equilibrium." "Keeping a battery on-hand for power outages is really nice. You could build a simple DIY solar system, or just use a bench (lab) power supply to keep the battery trickle-charged. Then, connect a cigarette lighter and USB car charger to the battery. Boom, you now have phone, laptop, and USB flashlight backup power." —960be6dde311 "Here's a relatively minor, but stupid life hack that came with my house: the light switch to the basement is installed upside down. Infuriating, right? Wrong! When you're going down the stairs with a basket of laundry, a downward motion turns on the lights. When you're coming up with a basket of laundry, and upward motion turns off the lights. It just works naturally." "My husband bought some smart LED light bulbs from Phillips that have an app to use them. You can adjust the color, set up a timer, and turn them on or off from the next county over. I'm a big fan! I especially love the color adjust feature. He has them set to a warm tone, almost peachy. It is so homey!" "Maybe not a home upgrade but a robot vacuum. We have a dog that sheds like a fool and a long-haired orange cat. It takes a minute or two to empty and brush out the container every morning. It keeps the hair under control, so I only have to actually vacuum every 10-14 days." —Unlikely_Kangaroo_93 "Top down window shades if you're in an area where the homes are close together, as well as magnetic door holders if you're the type who likes to have your windows open for the breeze." "Installing those outlet covers that include a nightlight built-in, especially on stair landings and outside the bathroom." "Outlets with USB/USBC ports included and code locks for front door." —gretchens "Adding a garbage disposal. We still compost food scraps, but cleaning the soggy crumbs out of the sink drain was always my least favorite chore." "A motion sensor for the driveway/front walk. If I'm coming home, it kicks on for me to pull in. If I'm already home, I know if anyone is outside or coming up the walk in the evening." "Dimmers in several rooms: main bathroom, baby's room, and baby's bathroom. It's such a lifestyle improvement to be able to dim the lights when we're getting ready for bed or in the morning. I also have a few smart ceiling lights in the living room and kitchen that I can dim with a phone app. I don't love connected devices, but it was the simplest solution." —1bananatoomany "I built a bar as soon as I moved in. It's been the center point of conversation, the hub of entertainment, and the greatest investment I've made in the home." "Blackout shades on my bedroom windows that slide into a frame that's attached to the window frame, so there's no light at all when I'm sleeping. I no longer wake up at dawn every day, and I don't have to put a sleep mask on to sleep in past 5 a.m." "We installed pot racks in our pantry, and we hang all our pots and pans there now. It improved access to the items we use all the time and freed up a ton of cupboard space." —AThousandBloodhounds "It's amazing how quiet new dishwashers and bathroom fans have become. If yours are 10+ years old, you'll be stunned at how much pointless noise you've acclimated to." "I installed timers on the light switches that control the outside lights. Saves the headache of remembering to turn them on before I go to bed and off when I wake up, and gives me some peace of mind when I am gone that the lights still change (like someone is home). Such an easy thing to do!" "A bidet." —Lotsavodka"My bidet has a motion-sensing light and lid built in. Also, heated seat and water."—lead_injection "Fingerprint locks on my front and back doors! With a push-button start on my car, my keys never leave my purse; it's wonderful! I can also control them from my phone from anywhere, so letting someone in to water my plants is easy." "We replaced our kitchen cabinet hinges with soft-close models. Much quieter when kids slam them late at night." "Two comforters for the bed! There's no reason to ever have to fight for covers." —PaxtonSuggs "Wall-mounted can crusher. You can fit more cans in the recycling and reduce trips to the larger bin in the back of our house." "Instant hot water heater. Makes nearly boiling water at the tap. If you like tea, need to quickly sanitize things, or boil pasta, etc, it's the best $400 I've spent on my house, I think." "I replaced the old smoke/CO2 alarms throughout my home after moving in. They look nice, the batteries last 10 years, they are very easy to get down if needed, and I have the option to silent test them, which is perfect for dogs. I can also silence them from the app (yep, my cooking has already caused one to go off), which comes in handy for tall ceilings and having to find a ladder during the chaos of one going off." "The cherry on top is that I can see the status of them on an app, including battery status. So if one goes off and I'm at work, I get a notification. The app is also set to bypass DND if alarms go off, so I would never miss an alert. I highly recommend it."—hark_the_snark And finally, "All our doors have handles, not knobs. Hands full? Just lean whatever you are carrying on the handle and it opens." Is there anything else you would add? Tell us all about it in the comments or via the anonymous form below!
New York Times
23-07-2025
- New York Times
Why This Pennsylvania City Put Its Streetlights on a Dimmer
One recent night in July, Denny Robinson, a project manager for the City of Pittsburgh, stood on a street corner in the North Side, lit up by newly installed streetlights, fiddling with his phone. 'Let's dim it down to 24 percent,' Mr. Robinson said, sliding his thumb across the phone's screen. Four nearby streetlights softened to a gentle glow, eliciting oohs and aahs from a small group of onlookers gathered to behold the wonders of municipal mood lighting. Pittsburgh is replacing most of its streetlights — more than 33,000 inefficient high-pressure sodium lamps — with LED versions that are projected to save about $942,000 a year in energy costs while tackling light pollution. The old lights cast an orange glow that bathed the heavens and anything nearby in what Flore Marion, the city's assistant director of sustainability and resilience, described as 'horror-movie' lighting. The new lights are directed downward and emit warmer light than many LEDs. Compared with the old orange lights, the new lights appear brighter when fully turned up, but shields can be added to the fixtures to curb what is known as 'light trespass.' Mr. Robinson said he also plans to dim the new lights between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., which will save energy and money, and, according to the city, cause less harm to migratory birds, urban wildlife and humans. Thanks to urbanization and electrification, light pollution is growing globally by nearly 10 percent a year, according to a 2023 study. Many areas are overlit, which wastes energy, obfuscates starry skies and messes with the circadian rhythms of plants, wildlife and people. Pittsburgh officials had long planned to swap out the city's old streetlights, but for years they didn't have the budget to adopt the types of LED streetlights that other cities were beginning to install. That turned out to be a good thing. The first generation of LED streetlights led to lower costs and energy savings, but also heightened exposure to glare and harmful blue light. 50 States, 50 Fixes is a series about local solutions to environmental problems. More to come this year. In 2016, the American Medical Association warned that blue-rich LED streetlights suppressed melatonin and contributed to sleeplessness, poor daytime functioning and obesity, while also disorienting birds, insects, turtles and fish species that need darkness at night. Some research suggests that bright city lights worsen air pollution by hindering nighttime chemical reactions that clean the air. The City of Pittsburgh included new streetlights in its 2021 budget, and not long afterward passed an ordinance that follows guidelines from DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization focused on fighting light pollution. One feature of the new lights that complies with DarkSky International's recommendations is a relatively warmer hue. Nighttime LED lighting around warehouses and in prison yards often emits bright, cold blue-rich light that can have a color temperature of 5500 Kelvin and up. DarkSky International recommends streetlights with warmer tones and a maximum color temperature of 3,000 Kelvin. Pittsburgh's new lights are 2700 Kelvin. 'We leapfrogged the LED blue-light phase,' Ms. Marion said. According to the city, the new lights will last at least four times longer than the ones they're replacing, saving the city nearly $500,000 in maintenance costs annually. Because it's using less electricity to run the lights, the city estimates it will prevent 12,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. 'It's practical and pragmatic, because of its simplicity and its impact,' said Grant Ervin, Pittsburgh's former chief resilience officer. One of the biggest proponents of Pittsburgh's dark-sky lighting ordinance is Diane Turnshek, who teaches astronomy at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Turnshek, 70, who grew up in New England, remembers easily seeing the Milky Way as a child. Over time, she grew dismayed at the fact that her astronomy students couldn't readily see dazzling starry skies, and that light pollution often wasn't considered an environmental concern. She was determined to raise awareness about the problem and ways to address it, and worked with the city of Pittsburgh to pass the ordinance. 'It's such an easy fix,' Ms. Turnshek said. 'You turn them off. You use them appropriately. You don't use them when you don't need them. Change is instantaneous and saves you money.' The prospect of dimmer streetlights is often met with public resistance because of the belief that artificial lights increase nighttime safety. But while people may feel safer with more light at night, that doesn't necessarily correlate with crime statistics, said John Barentine, a consultant and former director of public policy for DarkSky International. American cities and towns often vastly exceed recommended levels of illumination, creating glare that can be blinding, he said. Lower-income neighborhoods with more people of color often had brighter lights than more affluent, white neighborhoods, he said. 'We're arguing in favor of public safety by preserving and enhancing nighttime visibility through better lighting design,' Mr. Barentine said. 'We're actually doing people a favor by bringing the light levels down, because we're helping the eye to operate most efficiently under nighttime conditions. We're aiding vision, rather than taking something away.' Still, there are limits to the benefits. Avalon Owens, a research fellow at the Rowland Institute at Harvard University, said that even warm, dim artificial light was usually too bright for most nocturnal insects, which have eyes that are thousands of times more sensitive than those of humans and are most active a few hours after dusk. Motion activated lighting was also preferable, she said. But shielding lights from natural areas did reduce some negative impacts on insects and the species that rely on them, Ms. Owens said. LEDs also use less power, generating fewer greenhouse-gas emissions, and climate change is one of the biggest threats to biodiversity. 'It's a matter of minimizing harm,' Ms. Owens said. The City of Pittsburgh also has about 3,450 LED streetlights with color-temperatures of 4000 Kelvin that will be swapped out for the new, warmer versions. The $15 million project is expected to be completed in 2027. Other places that comply with Dark Sky lighting guidelines include Flagstaff, Ariz., and Jackson Hole Airport, Wyo., Mr. Barentine said, adding that Pittsburgh's Dark Sky ordinance was notable for a city of its size. One afternoon in early July, Chat Ott, an installer, was high up in a cherry picker, swapping out a streetlight on the city's North Side. He's found all traces of wildlife in the old lamps, including mouse nests, old beehives and, once, a startled squirrel. Later that night, Barb and Shawn Jackson, who live nearby, assessed the new streetlights. They liked the safety aspect, they said, because children biked around at night, but they felt the lights were brighter than the old ones, a concern echoed by some on Reddit. Jacob Williams, a press officer for the City of Pittsburgh, said residents could petition the city to dim the lights and request shields for the new fixtures. Ms. Turnshek, for her part, plans to continue advocating for sites she considers too brightly lit, such as bridges. The hope, she said, is that more cities will follow, and more residents will see the advantages of curbing light pollution and embracing the night. 'I would like to teach people that darkness has value,' she said. 'That it's not just the absence of light.' This story idea came to us from a reader. We'd love to hear from you, too. Tell Us About Solutions Where You Live
