Latest news with #EnergyStar-certified
Vancouver Sun
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
Buying a new air conditioner unit or air purifier? Here's how to get a rebate in B.C.
It's summertime and the living's not exactly easy when temperatures are climbing and you're sweating in your living room. While air conditioners have not traditionally been popular in B.C. due to our mild weather, it appears more and more households are adopting AC units into their home. According to a B.C. Hydro report shared this week, nearly 70 per cent of British Columbians surveyed now have air conditioning at home. Of those, 40 per cent installed AC between 2021 — the year of B.C.'s deadly heat dome — and this year. Portable and window units remain the most popular choices, used by about 60 per cent of those surveyed due to their affordability and ease of installation, B.C. Hydro said. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Nearly 27 per cent of all AC-equipped households have also invested in heat pumps. Heat pumps offer greater energy efficiency, quieter operation and year-round climate control for both heating and cooling, the report says. Meanwhile, the number of residents who have purchased air purifiers is slightly lower, at 38 per cent. The highest adoption rates are seen in people ages 35 to 54, which B.C. Hydro says suggests a growing awareness among working adults of the dangers of breathing in wildfire smoke. The Angus Reid online survey of 801 adults was conducted from June 18 to 23, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. If you're looking for ways to cool down your home, B.C. Hydro is still offering rebates this summer on new portable air conditioning units and air purifiers to beat the heat and breathe easier because of wildfire smoke. Here's how to get a rebate on a new air conditioner unit or air purifier in B.C. B.C. Hydro is offering $50 rebates for Energy Star-certified portable and window air conditioners, and $30 rebates for Energy Star-certified air purifiers. To get the rebate, just purchase an eligible appliance from a participating retailer in B.C. Hydro's service area while the offer is in effect. There's no forms to fill, no receipts to submit, just head to participating stores in person or online and buy one of the eligible air conditioners or air purifiers and the discount will be applied at checkout. Participating in-store retailers include: • Best Buy • Costco • Home Hardware • Leon's • Rona • The Home Depot • Visions Electronics • Canadian Tire (window ACs and air purifiers only) • IKEA (air purifiers only) Ensure that you're visiting one of these retailers within B.C. Hydro's service areas . Participating online retailers include: • Best Buy • Visions To be eligible for the rebate, air conditioners and air purifiers need to be Energy Star certified. As well, if purchasing a portable AC unit, it must be dual-duct or single-duct with variable-speed/invertor technology. If purchasing a window AC unit, it must be variable speed, with a combined energy efficiency ratio rating of 15 or higher. Eligible air purifiers must have a clean air delivery rate watt of 4.0 or higher (smoke or dust). Still a little confused? You can see B.C. Hydro's list of specific models here: • Eligible air conditioners • Eligible air purifiers Keep in mind there is a limit of two eligible air conditioners per customer transaction. The rebates offered will be available until Aug. 22, 2025. Air conditioners: Portable air conditioners cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000, while a window air conditioner costs in the range of $160 for a small unit to more than $1,000. Air purifiers: The eligible brands range from about $200 to more than $1,000. B.C. Hydro recommends the following tips: • Optimize indoor temperature: Set your AC to 25 C when home and turn it off when away. • Buy Energy Star certified: These units use 30 to 40 per cent less energy. • Close blinds and drapes: This can block up to 65 per cent of heat. • Shut windows and doors: If the temperature outside is warmer than inside, keeping doors and windows closed helps to keep the cooler air in and the warm air out. • Use fans efficiently: Running a fan for nine hours daily costs just $7 over the entire summer. • Replace filters regularly: Twenty per cent of residents have never changed their AC filter, which can reduce efficiency and should be changed at least once per year. ticrawford@ sip@
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The best Prime Day dehumidifier deals of 2025
We're officially in that midpoint of summer, where unfortunately, it's sticky, hot, and humid. If you're starting to notice those feelings indoors, too, it's time to consider adding a dehumidifier. They come in handy to rid any damp areas (like your basement) of extra moisture, get rid of musty odors, and even improve air quality. The best time of year to grab one is, of course, during Amazon Prime top Prime Day dehumidifier deals include discounts on the best dehumidifier brands, like Midea, Waykar, Breezome, and more. One of the top picks from our guide to the best dehumidifiers, the HomeLabs' WiFi-enabled dehumidifier, is $30 off right update this article if we find any other enticing deals, but in the meantime, visit our best Prime Day deals hub to find more sales on products in other categories, including vacuum, kitchen, and various now, several dehumidifier brands are marked down to all-time low prices. A trusty Midea dehumidifier with a built-in pump and app connectivity is $55 off, one of the lowest prices we've seen it. Plus, you should be able to get an extra $20 off by applying a coupon. While we haven't tested this dehumidifier, Midea is one of our favorite heating and cooling brands. This unit is Energy Star-certified and features a built-in pump and WiFi connectivity for ease of use. Specifics The quiet, fast, and easy-to-use dehumidifier from HomeLabs is made for spaces up to 1,500 square feet and runs continuously until its tank is full. Though there's a drain hose outlet, the hose is not included. It's recommended to use thread tape to avoid leaks if you do choose to attach a hose. The compact Midea Cube Dehumidifier is Energy Star-certified and capable of removing moisture from 1,500-square-foot rooms. This dehumidifier is larger than many on this list, with the ability to dehumidify 5,000 square feet of floor space. It has a smart control panel, is relatively quiet, and the option for continuous drainage. The Breezome dehumidifier is an affordable option for dealing with small, damp rooms. With seven lighting options, you can achieve the atmosphere you want. This Eva-Dry dehumidifier measures 9 x 8.25 x 2.88 inches and works well for spaces up to 48 square feet. It uses silica beads to absorb moisture and has an absorbing capacity of six ounces. It's also convenient because you only need to recharge it every four weeks. (It plugs into a wall outlet.) If your home tends to get muggy, a dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air, making you more comfortable and reducing the incidence of mildew, dust mites, and mold. If you also want to lower the temperature in your home, we recommend buying an air conditioner, as they also dehumidify, though they tend to cost more than a stand-alone dehumidifier.A humidifier adds moisture to the air, while a dehumidifier removes it. Dehumidifiers are commonly used in boats, bathrooms, RVs, closets, basements, or anywhere in your house where you want to reduce the incidence of mold or condensation. If you live in a dry climate or experience dry seasons, the best humidifier can keep your skin from getting irritated and help with for more great Amazon Prime Day deals? Check out our roundup of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for more.
Business Insider
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Where to buy air conditioners: Window, portable, and budget options for beating the heat
We all yearn for sunny summer days during the colder months, but we could definitely do without the sweltering temperatures that accompany them. As temperatures rise into the triple digits in some parts of the country this week, a reliable air conditioner is more essential than ever. But if you were caught unprepared, we've got you covered with where to buy air conditioners before the next heat wave probably already sweating, so don't sweat finding an effective cooling solution for your home. We're here to help with the best places to buy window and portable units that can work in any space, from a large house to a small apartment. With some cheap window units under $200, you'll be able to snag an air conditioner on any | Walmart | Best Buy | Wayfair | The Home DepotAhead, find where to buy air conditioners, along with some tested picks we recommend for each category. Keep in mind that the best models are likely to sell out as the summer continues, so you'll thank yourself later if you place your order window units are almost always the best option for cooling your space if you don't have central air. Options are available that can effectively cool rooms of all sizes, and they tend to be more efficient than portable models. Plus, they take up virtually no space, even in small apartments. Browse units from Frigidaire, GE, and | Walmart | Best Buy | Wayfair | The Home Depot If you have a medium-sized room, the Friedrich Chill Premier Smart Window Air Conditioner (CCF08A10A) is your best option with its impressive cooling abilities, smart connectivity, and long warranty. The main differences are this model is not Wi-Fi-enabled and has more cooling power at 12,000 BTU (versus 10,000) so it can cool rooms of between 450 and 550 square feet in size. Frigidaire is one of our favorite air conditioner brands, and this 10,000-Btu unit is Energy Star-certified and features WiFi connectivity. While window units often deliver the best air conditioning results and are more affordable, they can be a hassle to install, and not every space, including windowless rooms, will accommodate them. Luckily, investing in one of the best portable air conditioners can get the job done while also offering more flexibility, as they can be moved from room to room with ease. Browse options from Midea, Black + Decker, and you're unsure whether a window unit or portable unit is right for you, check out our portable air conditioners versus window air conditioners guide for a full | Walmart | Best Buy | Wayfair | The Home Depot The Midea Duo Smart Inverter Portable Air Conditioner has a feature-rich app that pairs with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, and it does an outstanding job of cooling while operating quietly. The LG LP0621WSR Portable Air Conditioner is the most affordable unit we tested and does a decent job of cooling while making relatively little noise. The Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner may be big and not as portable as other units, but it did the best job of cooling our 550-square-foot test room. You already have an energy bill to pay, so purchasing your air conditioning unit alone shouldn't break the bank. Luckily, there are still plenty of high-quality window units and portable air conditioners under $200. Browse through budget options from GE, homeLabs, Whirlpool, and | Walmart | Best Buy | Wayfair If ACs are allowed in your dorm and you can afford it, this GE air conditioner is an outstanding option. It's a lower-BTU version of our best budget air conditioner so your room won't get too cold and clammy. The 5,000 BTU hOmeLabs Window Air Conditioner is easy to use and great for smaller rooms, but the best thing about it is that it costs just over $100. While we haven't tested this window air conditioner, Amazon Basics consistently makes quality products at a budget price. This unit will help you cool a small room without breaking the bank. Check out our roundup of the best electric fans for more ways to stay cool this summer.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chicago program to light up dark streets is gateway to energy efficiency
The 79th Street corridor is one of the busiest thoroughfares on Chicago's Southeast Side. But many of its adjacent side streets are poorly lit at night, posing hazards ranging from inconvenient to dangerous. For instance, obscured house numbers can confuse both delivery drivers and emergency responders. And higher levels of crime have been correlated with poorly lit streets, making it feel unsafe for children to play outdoors after sunset or for pedestrians to walk alone in the dark. 'For those people who are going to work in the winter at five o'clock in the morning and it's pitch black out there, yeah, they're scared. They're walking down the middle of the street,' said Sharon 'Sy' Lewis, founder and executive director of Meadows Eastside Community Resource Organization, commonly referred to by its acronym of MECRO. But block by block, things are changing, in no small part due to Light Up the Night, administered by MECRO in collaboration with the energy-efficiency program of Chicago utility ComEd. The initiative aims to solve the problem of dark streets by outfitting the front and back of homes with energy-efficient lights that automatically turn on at night and off during the day. Light Up the Night was launched in 2019 as a pilot program in the South Shore community of the city's South Side with an initial goal of providing Energy Star-certified LED light bulbs for up to 300 residences. The program had to pause during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but eventually, Light Up the Night was able to achieve that goal and then some. Lewis said it has served more than 500 homes so far, and she is pursuing funding to expand. MECRO staff or volunteers install the bulbs into existing outlets at no charge to residents. Lewis said this proactive approach yields better results than just distributing packages of light bulbs and other energy-saving devices that may or may not get used. For Lewis, the installation process provides an opening to talk to residents about other energy-efficient measures, like weatherization or purchasing new appliances. The upgrades, often eligible for rebates to offset the cost, can dramatically reduce utility bills. This is particularly impactful in communities like those surrounding the 79th Street corridor, in which many residents spend a big portion of their income on energy bills, largely due to predominantly older and often poorly insulated housing stock. 'Light Up the Night is not just a gateway to safety, it's a gateway to energy savings. And it starts with the little things. And because we installed it, instead of sending them an 'energy box,' then we know that it's working. When you drive down that street, you know that it's working, you see that impact,' Lewis said. A minimum of 75% participation is required per block, and each homeowner or renter must provide consent before installation can begin, Lewis said. 'If the average block has 36 homes on it, if we get 15 on each side, at minimum, we have really created an impact for the block,' Lewis said. 'So now you have the whole community lighting up at once [at dusk], and then they all go off in the morning.' A legacy of segregation and disinvestment has left residents of predominantly Black communities like the Southeast Side with a strong distrust of outsiders. As a lifelong resident and visible activist, Lewis has an advantage when it comes to engaging with residents, but obtaining initial buy-in around South Shore was still a challenge. 'Getting people to sign up, that was a problem because we can't not have data on where we are leaving the lights. … [But] people didn't want to provide their information,' Lewis said. To get the program up and running, Lewis worked with neighborhood block clubs to overcome apprehension and to identify particular streets in the South Shore community that would benefit the most from the new lights. She also worked with other community organizations, especially those focused on violence prevention. It was easier to start up the program in Austin, a neighborhood on the city's West Side, where, also in 2019, Lewis collaborated with Steve Robinson, executive director of the Northwest Austin Council, with whom she had worked previously on a number of initiatives. Chicago police officers assigned to that community were also enthusiastic about the program, and helped Lewis identify blocks where adding lights would be especially impactful, she said. '[Robinson] invited me over there. It was a whole change. It was a sea change. It was amazing. [The police] were excited about it. They were looking forward to the change we were doing,' Lewis said. Wherever it has been implemented, this small-scale program has had an outsized positive impact, Lewis said. Additional lighting on front porches and entryways also enhances safety for visitors to the community, including service providers like mail carriers, delivery people, and rideshare drivers. Likewise, floodlights installed at the rear of a home or apartment building add to the ambient lighting in often dark alleyways, which results in fewer garage break-ins and instances of illegal dumping of garbage, Lewis said. MECRO does much more than install lights. The organization also helps guide new and existing small business owners, conducting educational seminars and offering technical assistance. And it provides residents with referrals for energy-efficiency improvements and other sustainability-related resources they might not otherwise know about. But Light Up the Night remains part of the organization's core mission. While illuminating areas that used to be dark is the program's first objective, once the new bulbs have replaced older, less-efficient lights, the lower utility bills can be eye-opening for residents. When people see those savings, 'they start thinking, 'Well, what if I get all energy-efficiency light bulbs? Hmm. Okay, now my bill has gone really down. What if I do the weatherization program? Now my bill is really down,'' Lewis said.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Government Program That Has Secretly Saved You HUNDREDS on Energy Bills May Be Going Away
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."It is no secret that the current administration is making a concerted effort to downsize, well, pretty much the entire government, starting with (but certainly not limited to) any agencies whose purpose is to combat climate change. If the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comes to mind, you're correct. Earlier in the month, President Trump hinted that one instantly recognizable symbol and the program it represents will likely be on its way out. The symbol in question is the blue sticker with the word "energy" written in cursive beside a silhouette of a star. That's right: The Energy Star program is potentially on the EPA's chopping block for the 2026 budget plan. Ahead, we're breaking down what this program is and how its potential dismantling may impact your energy bills and future appliance purchases. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's website, "Energy Star is a joint program of the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE). Its goal is to help consumers, businesses, and industry save money and protect the environment through the adoption of energy-efficient products and practices." Initiated in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush, the Energy Star program has a somewhat complicated history, but for the most part, it has been well-received and bipartisan-supported. There has never been any threat to its existence—until now. Energy Star's potential demise could mean that consumers will no longer be able to easily opt for energy-efficient products, which could result in higher energy bills. According to Ben Evans, the federal legislative director of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Energy Star program cost the government approximately $32 million in 2024. While this amount fluctuates from year to year, the program also saves consumers around $42 billion a year. In other words, the benefits to consumers enormously outweigh the cost to the government, especially when considering just how much the government spends each year. To put this in perspective, in the fiscal year of 2024, the federal government spent $6.8 trillion, which means it allocated about 0.00044 percent of the federal spending on Energy Star. To put it in layman's terms, the purpose of the Energy Star program, Evans says, is to "give consumers more transparency around the energy efficiency of a given product, and the label was basically just a simple indicator that these rated products are highly efficient among their category class." The benefits of energy-efficient products are two-fold: Not only does less energy consumption mean reducing the need for electricity generation (resulting in more reliable power grids and fewer blackouts), but it also means lower energy bills. According to Energy Star's website, the program has helped Americans save more than $500 billion in energy costs since its launch in 1992. While Energy Star-certified appliances are generally more expensive than their non-certified counterparts, the long-term savings far outweigh the purchasing cost. Notably, the Energy Star certification isn't just for appliances; homes, too, can don the blue logo. In fact, according to Evans, "around 350,000 Energy Star-rated homes were built in 2024, with around 100,000 of those in Texas." There's no end date for the Energy Star program as of this writing, even if it is likely to be dismantled at some point in 2025 or 2026. "The [2026] budget does seek to significantly scale back the EPA, which could involve organizational restructuring, including the elimination of non-regulatory programs like Energy Star," says Finn Hossfeld, the U.S. lead of Climate Action Tracker. "However, given that Energy Star was written into law by Congress in the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the program's elimination without an act of Congress would be met with legal challenge." If and when the Energy Star program is dismantled, you likely won't see a big difference on your next utility statement. The effect would be longer-term. "Dismantling the program leaves consumers less informed about their purchases. Its elimination would also risk slowing the pace of energy efficiency improvements, which is a key means of reducing both costs and emissions at the same time," Hossfeld explains. What's most likely to happen in the short term would be a more obfuscated consumer environment. "Ultimately, confusion in the market is not a good thing for anyone," Evans explains. "Energy Star is what drives consumers to these energy-efficient products that are helping them save in the long term, so manufacturers invest in producing them, but if there's no clarity on energy efficiency in consumer products, there will become less demand, which means they won't be produced as much, and it becomes a vicious cycle." All this to say, the elimination of Energy Star doesn't mean your energy bills will automatically go up. However, if you are looking to buy a new appliance or home in a few years, the end of this program means that you won't have much clarity on how energy-efficient it will be. Our advice? Buy Energy Star-rated products while you still can. They may be more expensive, but they still provide a good return on investment. According to the Energy Star impacts page, "By choosing Energy Star, a typical household can save about $450 on their energy bills each year and still enjoy the quality and performance they expect." That's not nothing! Follow on and . 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