Climate change fueled May's record-breaking Arctic heat
Temperatures in Ittoqqortoormiit, a tiny town on Greenland's eastern coast, typically hover just above freezing in the month of May. But on May 19, the weather station there documented an eye-popping 57.7 degrees Fahrenheit, a monthly record.
Nearby Iceland was also roasting. Just days earlier, on May 15, Egilsstaðir Airport observed a new national record temperature for the month of May when thermometers jumped to 79.9 F.
The astonishing heat wave sent temperatures skyrocketing throughout the region for more than a week, rising more than 18 F above their usual levels in some places. Melting on the Greenland ice sheet rose to 17 times its normal rate. Asphalt in Iceland, designed for cooler weather, softened in the heat.
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And climate change is to blame, scientists say.
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Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Philadelphia weather: Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued ahead of Thursday heat, haze
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CNET
a day ago
- CNET
Save Money This Summer by Investing in Curtains, Blinds or Drapes
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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. 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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. 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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. 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CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
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