Severe Weather Threatens 44 Million After Storm Slams Midwest
More than 40 million Americans are in the path of severe weather after heavy rain and strong winds battered communities across the Eastern half of the U.S. in states like Alabama and Oklahoma. NBC's Ryan Chandler reports for Sunday TODAY.
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CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Code orange air quality alert issued for Pittsburgh area on Thursday
A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day has been issued for parts of the Pittsburgh area on Thursday. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared the air quality alert for Allegheny, Westmoreland, Beaver, Butler, Armstrong, Washington and Fayette counties due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires, high temperatures around 90 degrees and light southwest winds, which "will act to produce significant ozone concentrations." What does a code orange air quality alert mean? It means that vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory issues, should limit their outdoor activities due to the higher air pollution levels. Residents are encouraged to help reduce ozone air pollution by driving less, refueling their vehicles after dusk and conserving electricity. "High ozone levels are most common during summer months when there are long days with plentiful sunshine and high levels of ozone precursors combine," the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said on Wednesday. You can view real-time air quality reports for your area by visiting
CNET
3 hours ago
- CNET
Save Money This Summer by Investing in Curtains, Blinds or Drapes
Summer might not technically be here for a few more weeks but with temperatures already soaring, you might be looking for a way to keep cool at home. As weather patterns continue to change, blackouts are becoming more common and rising energy costs are making it harder than ever to stay cool during heatwaves. If you're looking for a good way to bring the temperature down inside without blowing your budget this summer, there's a long-term option you may not have considered. Buying window treatments and fabrics is a great way to boost your household's energy efficiency significantly by lowering your energy costs. Based on a recent Reddit thread on the topic, users are speaking highly on using attachments such as thermal and blackout curtains to help reduce electricity bills. An energy-efficient home keeps you comfortable, uses far less energy and saves money. There are many ways to improve your home's efficiency. You can start with simple actions, such as turning off the lights when you leave a room. For bigger changes, you might consider installing solar panels. However, you might be missing one of the easiest and most effective ways to save energy. The right window treatments (also known as window attachments) can make a big difference in boosting your energy efficiency. These attachments are curtains, blinds, awnings and shades. They work well in keeping you cooler in the warmer months and warmer in the cooler months. With the right treatments, you can effectively cut your utility spending in half annually. Tom Culp, owner of Birch Point Consulting in Wisconsin and a board member of nonprofit public interest group the Attachments Energy Rating Council, spoke more about the importance of window treatments for a home. "For a typical home, the window area is less than 10% of the overall shell. But the Department of Energy has estimated that windows can account for up to 50% of the energy that flows in and out of the home," he said. "Windows have an oversized importance in your home's energy performance and your energy bills." How do curtains and blinds save energy? Window treatments can make your home more energy efficient in a couple of ways. How they can help and the right window treatments to purchase for energy savings depend on the time of year and the climate where you live. When it's cold and dark in the winter, the right window treatments can act as a barrier, preventing your home from losing heat through leaks or cracks around your windows. They can also keep cold, drafty air from entering your home. "You have a lot of energy going in and out of your home through the windows," said Culp. "A blind or shade will provide an insulating layer to help block some of that heat loss, especially at night." In warm, sunny weather, blinds, shades, films and other treatments block the sun, keeping your home cooler during the hottest times of the day. In colder climates, sunlight can be beneficial in winter and the shoulder seasons. Some window treatments are better at blocking sunlight than others. Tunatura/Getty Images "The sun coming in your window can be good or bad. Where I live in Wisconsin, it helps to warm your house and offset heating costs," said Culp. "If you're in the South, maybe the sun isn't your friend in the summer. A blind or shade can block some of that sunlight and stop that extra heat from coming in and adding to your air conditioning costs. It really depends on where you are in the country and your specific application." Not all window treatments are created equal. To get the most value and find the right product for you, it's important to understand the different window treatments available. Insulated cellular shades Also called honeycomb shades or cellular shades, these pleated fabric shades are considered the most high-performing window treatment option in terms of R-value, which measures the performance of a building's insulation. Their honeycomb shape creates a layer of air that blocks heat or cold from entering your home. They also have the most potential to help you save on energy. Insulated cellular shades reduced energy use by 20% in one study conducted by the US Department of Energy. Thermal curtains Thermal curtains resemble everyday fabric curtains but they differ from decorative curtains in a significant way. They're made from multiple layers of thick, insulating fabric designed to hold in cool or warm air and prevent leaks or drafts from windows. Thermal blinds Thermal blinds are year-round window treatments that create a heat-reflecting barrier on your home's windows. Similar to insulated cellular shades, these blinds often have honeycomb-shaped pockets to trap a layer of air that acts as a thermal barrier between the window and your home. An aluminum layer on each side of the blinds reflects heat out in the summer and into your space in the winter. Window quilts A window quilt works the same way as a quilt made for your bed. By sewing layers of fabric together with an insulating layer between them, a window quilt blocks air from getting in or out through your windows. They also completely block the sun, doing double-duty as blackout curtains, and can help reduce outside noise. Window quilts are available in roll-up and pull-up models to allow for more flexibility, although some are designed with velcro or snaps to attach the treatment around all four sides of the window. Window films Unlike the other window treatments on this list, which are attached to the interior or exterior of your windows to help with energy efficiency, films are applied directly to the glass. Window films reduce warming from the sun's heat as well as glare and UV rays, but because they're not adjustable, they're better for warm, sunny climates rather than cold ones. Because window films are tinted, they provide privacy while allowing you to see outside, unlike curtains and blinds. Awnings When attached to your home's exterior above windows, awnings block sunlight, preventing solar heat gain in your home. Fixed and adjustable models are available and you can install a single awning over a window or a longer awning that can shade the windows over one entire side of your house. Like window films, awnings may be a better option for homeowners in warm climates, as blocking the sun will require more energy to heat your home in winter. How do you find energy-efficient curtains and blinds? On AERC's residential product search page, you can find certified window treatments and even filter and sort to find products that fit your needs and climate. While you probably have an idea of whether your home is more in need of cooling or heating for more of the year, the organization also has a climate zone map that can help you choose whether the AERC's cool or warm rating is more relevant to your home. Lowering blinds on a sunny day can keep your house cooler. Imgorthand/Getty Images You can also look for products with the AERC's Energy Improvement Label when you're shopping. Each rating label includes a number for how well the product performs in cool and warm climates. Regardless of the window attachments you choose, you'll get the most energy savings when they're adjusted regularly according to conditions outside. Another Department of Energy study found that 75% of window coverings stay in the same position every day and more than half of US households don't adjust their window coverings daily. Culp sees that fact as an opportunity for automation to make energy-efficient window treatments even more effective. "What automation can do better than most homeowners is open your window treatments when it's advantageous for you and closed when it's not," he said. "You can control it yourself from an app or it can be set to be run optimally. It knows when it will save you the most energy and the most money so that you get better performance." Will regular curtains and blinds improve efficiency? "All window attachments will have an impact, from basic mini-slat blinds to decorative sheers to high-performance insulating cellular shades," Culp said. The curtains or blinds you can pick up at a department store or big-box store haven't been designed specifically for energy efficiency. They may reduce your energy use somewhat but you'll likely see a bigger impact on your utility bills with a product that's labeled as energy efficient and an AERC rating that makes sense for your home and your climate. Frequently asked questions Will curtains and blinds lower my energy bill? Yes. Even regular blinds and shades will offer some energy savings when they're deployed properly. You'll see greater savings and use less energy with window treatments that are specifically designed for energy efficiency and have an AERC rating that makes sense for your home and climate.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Maryland uses new disaster recovery fund to support Allegany County after severe flooding
Maryland to provide nearly $460k to help recovery in Allegany County after heavy rains, floods Maryland to provide nearly $460k to help recovery in Allegany County after heavy rains, floods Maryland to provide nearly $460k to help recovery in Allegany County after heavy rains, floods Maryland allocated $459,375 from its new Disaster Recovery Fund to support Allegany County after severe flooding in May. The flash flooding, brought on by severe storms on May 13, prompted Gov. Wes Moore to declare a State of Emergency, as buildings were damaged and nearly 200 people were rescued from schools. Following the incident, the governor also called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a damage assessment. Funding for western Maryland flooding The governor's office said data collected through damage assessments indicated that the recovery needs were beyond the capability of the county. Allegany County officials then requested help from the state's Disaster Recovery Fund. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management worked closely with county officials to provide the funding. The Disaster Recovery Fund, created under a Maryland law, is a form of state-assisted financing that is given to jurisdictions to provide essential help to households, local governments or businesses impacted by disasters, the governor's office said. The funds can be used to supplement needs like housing, repairs or property replacement. "Being the first of its kind in Maryland, the State Disaster Recovery Fund is providing critical support to the residents of Allegany County," said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland. "Financial assistance availability at crucial times like this is what strengthens our state's resilience and allows our communities to recover." Who is eligible for disaster recovery funding? Allegany and Garrett County residents and business owners can apply for disaster relief loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration Physical Loan program, the governor's office said. An outreach center at 103 1st Street in Westernport is assisting both counties. "In Maryland, we live mission-first, people always. These funds will help Marylanders get back on their feet in the wake of historic flooding," Gov. Moore said. "Our administration has taken a comprehensive approach to our recovery efforts – and we will continue to support our people, uplift our communities, and help Western Maryland bounce back." Find more information about disaster recovery funds HERE.
