Latest news with #WolfRiverElectric
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Common coffee mistake that's costing you £40 a year - and it's not trips to Starbucks
If you're a big fan of a cuppa then you might want to rethink your habits as one simple change could save you nearly £40 a year Many of us enjoy a cuppa several times a day as a great way to relax. However, there's a way to trim the cost of your brew - and it doesn't involve switching brands or drinking less. Justin Nielsen, an energy consultant at Wolf River Electric, an electrical and solar installations firm, suggests that overfilling your kettle, a habit many of us are guilty of, is unnecessarily inflating your energy bill. But a simple adjustment in how much water you boil could save you nearly £40 every year. Making a cup of tea or coffee is a daily ritual for millions of Brits. The Tea Census estimates that around 10 million cups of the beverage are made across the UK each day. And for those who fancy a change, coffee is the order of the day adding to the massive total of brews consumed. But with so many of the hot beverages being enjoyed, it's hardly surprising that many people don't think twice about how much water they pour into the kettle, reports Yorkshire Live. Yet overfilling when boiling water for a cuppa can lead to significant energy waste. For those who drink five to six cups a day, the extra water quickly adds up. If you're overfilling the kettle by just half a cup each time, it could add £39.62 to the typical £84 a year spent on boiling the kettle. That's a £40 increase on an annual energy bill for a habit that's easy to change. Taking a moment to assess how much water you truly need could make a world of difference, and not just for your energy bills. It can help the planet too. But it's not just the quantity of water you're boiling that impacts energy usage, as proper kettle maintenance can also lead to savings. Justin points out, "even small appliances like kettles contribute to overall energy use," emphasising the importance of keeping them in good condition for efficient operation. He continues, "Using kettles with low minimum-fill lines and promptly descaling them can result in noticeable energy savings." Kettles tend to accumulate limescale, necessitating extra effort to boil water. Descaling regularly is essential to maintain them at optimal performance, ensuring they consume less power for the same amount of water boiled. The issue of wasting electricity extends beyond kettles. Habits such as overloading the washing machine, operating a half-empty tumble dryer, and leaving lights on unnecessarily can increase your energy bills by hundreds of pounds each year. Luckily, altering these energy-intensive habits is relatively straightforward. Making minor tweaks, from boiling just the needed amount of water to utilising eco settings on devices, can significantly cut costs. Justin adds: "We've all been guilty at times of leaving the lights on or overfilling the kettle, but it's important to remember that these habits can all add hundreds of pounds a year to our bills."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Report ranks Florida as top state for long summer power outages
TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) — As hurricane season kicks into gear across Florida, a new report sheds light on just how vulnerable the state is to long summer power outages, even when storms aren't in play. A national study conducted by Wolf River Electric analyzed five years of data from the Event Correlated Outage Dataset to determine where Americans are most likely to lose electricity during the hottest months of the year. Florida ranks fourth in the country for major summer outages, with an average of more than 18,000 hours without power each year from May through August. While Florida didn't log as many large-scale outages as states like Michigan or Texas, the duration of its blackouts paints a troubling picture. Each recorded event affected at least 5,000 utility customers, including homes, schools, and businesses, and often stretched for hours or even days. 'These aren't just flickers,' the study's authors noted. 'In Florida, when the power goes out in summer, it tends to stay out.' National leaders in summer outages The state with the most frequent and prolonged outages is Michigan, which topped the list with over 12,000 major events and more than 34,000 annual outage hours. Texas ranked second, reporting fewer outages but a higher average duration — 35,440 hours without electricity each year — making the Lone Star State's blackouts especially punishing during triple-digit heatwaves. California came in third, with more than 6,000 major outages, but significantly faster recovery times, averaging 9,500 hours per year. That's roughly half the duration of Florida's. Comparing states: Short vs. long outages Florida's outage profile differs sharply from other East Coast states like Maryland, which reported nearly 1,900 outages but just 335 hours without power annually — suggesting short, manageable disruptions. By contrast, Alabama and Louisiana, southern neighbors to Florida, had fewer outages than the Sunshine State but still saw long-lasting ones: Alabama averaged 8,159 hours per year without power, while Louisiana logged 3,610 hours. Other notable figures include: New York: 873 outages; ~4,000 annual hours North Carolina: 554 outages; ~2,985 annual hours Georgia: 242 outages; ~1,362 annual hours Even West Coast states like Washington (609 outages; 1,969 hours) and Oregon (206 outages; 1,201 hours) saw less disruption overall. Midwest and South hit hardest The report concluded that the Midwest and Southern U.S. face the greatest risk, both in terms of outage frequency and duration. The Northeast and much of the West Coast fare better, with fewer and shorter disruptions. Florida's high-stakes summer For Floridians, the timing of this data is especially relevant. Hurricane season began June 1 and continues through November. Although not all outages in the report were storm-related, the trend of long-duration outages raises serious concerns for public health, food safety, and disaster readiness. In a state where summer temperatures regularly push into the 90s with high humidity, the absence of air conditioning, refrigeration, or even working traffic lights can quickly become more than just inconvenient — it can be dangerous. Top 5 states with the longest summer outages (by duration): Texas – 35,440 hours/year Michigan – 34,068 hours/year Florida – 18,038 hours/year California – 9,553 hours/year Alabama – 8,159 hours/year Experts recommend that residents in high-risk states like Florida keep emergency kits, backup power options, and evacuation plans ready, especially as the season heats up. TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) — As hurricane season kicks into gear across Florida, a new report sheds light on just how vulnerable the state is to long summer power outages, even when storms aren't in play. A national study conducted by Wolf River Electric analyzed five years of data from the Event Correlated Outage Dataset to determine where Americans are most likely to lose electricity during the hottest months of the year. Florida ranks fourth in the country for major summer outages, with an average of more than 18,000 hours without power each year from May through August. While Florida didn't log as many large-scale outages as states like Michigan or Texas, the duration of its blackouts paints a troubling picture. Each recorded event affected at least 5,000 utility customers, including homes, schools, and businesses, and often stretched for hours or even days. 'These aren't just flickers,' the study's authors noted. 'In Florida, when the power goes out in summer, it tends to stay out.' National leaders in summer outages The state with the most frequent and prolonged outages is Michigan, which topped the list with over 12,000 major events and more than 34,000 annual outage hours. Texas ranked second, reporting fewer outages but a higher average duration — 35,440 hours without electricity each year — making the Lone Star State's blackouts especially punishing during triple-digit heatwaves. California came in third, with more than 6,000 major outages, but significantly faster recovery times, averaging 9,500 hours per year. That's roughly half the duration of Florida's. Comparing states: Short vs. long outages Florida's outage profile differs sharply from other East Coast states like Maryland, which reported nearly 1,900 outages but just 335 hours without power annually — suggesting short, manageable disruptions. By contrast, Alabama and Louisiana, southern neighbors to Florida, had fewer outages than the Sunshine State but still saw long-lasting ones: Alabama averaged 8,159 hours per year without power, while Louisiana logged 3,610 hours. Other notable figures include: New York: 873 outages; ~4,000 annual hours North Carolina: 554 outages; ~2,985 annual hours Georgia: 242 outages; ~1,362 annual hours Even West Coast states like Washington (609 outages; 1,969 hours) and Oregon (206 outages; 1,201 hours) saw less disruption overall. Midwest and South hit hardest The report concluded that the Midwest and Southern U.S. face the greatest risk, both in terms of outage frequency and duration. The Northeast and much of the West Coast fare better, with fewer and shorter disruptions. Florida's high-stakes summer For Floridians, the timing of this data is especially relevant. Hurricane season began June 1 and continues through November. Although not all outages in the report were storm-related, the trend of long-duration outages raises serious concerns for public health, food safety, and disaster readiness. In a state where summer temperatures regularly push into the 90s with high humidity, the absence of air conditioning, refrigeration, or even working traffic lights can quickly become more than just inconvenient — it can be dangerous. Top 5 states with the longest summer outages (by duration): Texas – 35,440 hours/year Michigan – 34,068 hours/year Florida – 18,038 hours/year California – 9,553 hours/year Alabama – 8,159 hours/year Experts recommend that residents in high-risk states like Florida keep emergency kits, backup power options, and evacuation plans ready — especially as the season heats up. Source: Wolf River Electric; U.S. Event Correlated Outage Dataset (2019–2023) Source: Wolf River Electric; U.S. Event Correlated Outage Dataset (2019–2023)For more on hurricane prep and local safety resources, visit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
These Are the States MOST at Risk for Summer Blackouts This Year
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." There's nothing like a summer storm, when the air is sticky with humidity and the sky opens with a boom of thunder, pelting raindrops to the ground. There's a thrilling energy to these weather the power goes out and you're left with no electricity. Talk about a buzzkill. Unfortunately, there's only so much you can do to prevent a power outage. However, new data collected by solar panel installation and electric company Wolf River Electric revealed which states are more at risk for power outages compared to others. Read on to learn more—you might be surprised who made the top 10. Power outages can be minor inconveniences that last only a few minutes, but they can also be major disruptions that knock out your utilities for hours to days. They're most commonly caused by severe weather (i.e., thunderstorms, hurricanes, and blizzards), broken power lines, construction errors, and animal interference (think squirrels gnawing on wires, bigger animals making contact with equipment, burrowing into equipment, etc.). Even though you might not base where you move on the number of major power outages per state, knowing the data can be helpful; it's a warning to residents in these areas to be as prepared as possible. Michigan: 12,039 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Texas: 7,164 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 California: 6,046 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Florida: 2,348 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Maryland: 1,881 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 New York: 873 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Alabama: 847 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Louisiana: 769 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Washington: 609 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 Wisconsin: 568 major outages from May 2019 to August 2023 According to Wolf River Electric's final tally, Michigan ranked number one on the list of states most at risk for summer power outages. With over 12,000 major events that affected over 5,000 utility accounts, the outages added up to more than a whopping 34,000 hours without power per year for over four years (there are 8,760 hours in a single calendar year, for reference). Interestingly, the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas, is also the second state most at risk for power outages. The Lone Star State saw over 7,100 power outages from May 2019 to August 2023, but even though it experienced fewer outages than Michigan, Texas clocked in more hours without power at a staggering 35,000. Considering the average temperature for a summer day in Texas is in the mid to upper 90 degrees Fahrenheit, that is way too long a time without air conditioning to cool you down. California and Florida took the top third and fourth spots on the list. They're two of the sunniest states in the U.S., but they're also two of the hottest, and because summer storms are typically the result of heat waves, the statistics make sense. Combined, the two experienced over 8,300 power outages in the same timeframe. Follow on Instagram and TikTok. You Might Also Like 15 Home Bar Gifts Every Cocktail Enthusiast Will Appreciate 32 Low Light Indoor Plants That Can Survive in the Darkest Corners of Your Home These Are the 50 Best Paint Colors for Your Living Room
Herald Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
How much work goes into maintaining Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's $20m home?
New details have emerged on how much Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending on maintenance for their swanky $US14.65 million ($A20.9 million) California mansion. UK Home Improvement expert Justin Nielsen, from Wolf River Electric, estimates that the nine-bedroom pad will need around 10 to 15 staff members to keep it in tip top condition, The Sun reports. He shared that this would include 'groundskeepers, horticulturists, pool technicians, and security personnel'. The garden expert added: 'Given the array of features, including a swimming pool, tennis court, koi pond, children's playhouse, and chicken coop, the annual upkeep costs could easily reach between £150,000 ($A308,000) and £250,000 ($A514,000). 'This estimate accounts for landscaping, utilities, specialised care for the koi fish, and general maintenance.' He added that staff would be required to work each month of the year, and said: 'The maintenance of this estate is not a seasonal endeavour but requires round-the-year attention.' While Meghan and Harry often keep their home life private, they have given fans a sneak peek into their digs. RELATED: Staggering fortune Harry, Meghan lost exposed 'Lonely': Insiders lift lid on Harry's sad life Prince Harry's $200m UK secret revealed Playground for Archie and Lilibet The royal couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, may not be growing up in a British palace, but their home sounds like a children's paradise. The two youngsters have an incredible adventure playground outside, as well as a playhouse, and an indoor princess playroom. The outdoor adventure area has slides, swings, a climbing frame, climbing wall, helter skelter (play equipment) and other fun obstacle courses. And we've already seen a sneak peek at their garden playhouse, when the Sussexes shared a painting of them outside for their 2020 Christmas card. The Sussex brood have five acres of land surrounding their Santa Barbara mansion, so it looks perfect for Lilibet and Archie to enjoy. Chicken mansion Meghan and Harry gave Oprah Winfrey the grand tour of their mansion and revealed they have rescue chickens from a factory farm. The couple walked the talk show host to their coop – a home to rescued chickens. In the video clip, an adorable red hen house dubbed 'Archie's Chick Inn' was also spotted. Oprah said the chickens were saved from a nearby factory farm. Koi fish pond When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex splashed out $23 million on their Montecito home in 2020, they were informed there was a one drawback with the property. The luxe residence came with some 'stressed' koi carp in the pond that needed professional care. Writing about their home in his memoir 'Spare', Harry wrote: 'We found a place. 'Priced at a steep discount. Just up the coast, outside Santa Barbara. 'Lots of room, large gardens, a climbing frame — even a pond with koi carp. 'The koi were stressed, the estate agent warned. 'So are we. We'll all get along famously. 'No, the agent explained, the koi need very particular care.' The Duke revealed he was informed that he would have to 'hire a koi guy' for the stressed fish, and he had inquired as to where to find a specialist. He continued: 'The agent wasn't sure. We laughed. First-world problems.' Vegetable patch The couple are said to grow their own vegetables in their garden, and use the ingredients for their meals. After Lilibet's birth, a friend told Closer: 'The couple has been relaxing at home since becoming proud parents of Lilibet. 'Harry is a devoted family man and has been helping out around the house. 'He picks vegetables from the garden to make fresh juices for Meghan and entertains Archie when she needs to rest up. 'He loves taking Archie to see the chickens or for a swim in the pool.' Cute seating areas When the couple weighed in on the US election when they filmed a special message to voters outside their home. The pair were filmed sitting on a bench in the middle of a neatly trimmed patch of grass. Either side of them, there were well maintained flower beds and a large tree – which would later feature in their pregnancy photo shoot – loomed behind. The couple took out a massive $14.9 million mortgage on their lavish nine bedroom, 16 bathroom estate – which they are calling their 'sanctuary'. It also boasts a theatre, arcade and guesthouse. Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. RELATED: Meghan, Harry savaged as 'local villains' 'Issues': One item Royals banned in bathroom Shock couple in Prince Andrew-trashed Queen's pad
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
How much work goes into maintaining Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's $20m home?
New details have emerged on how much Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending on maintenance for their swanky $US14.65 million ($A20.9 million) California mansion. UK Home Improvement expert Justin Nielsen, from Wolf River Electric, estimates that the nine-bedroom pad will need around 10 to 15 staff members to keep it in tip top condition, The Sun reports. He shared that this would include 'groundskeepers, horticulturists, pool technicians, and security personnel'. The garden expert added: 'Given the array of features, including a swimming pool, tennis court, koi pond, children's playhouse, and chicken coop, the annual upkeep costs could easily reach between £150,000 ($A308,000) and £250,000 ($A514,000). 'This estimate accounts for landscaping, utilities, specialised care for the koi fish, and general maintenance.' He added that staff would be required to work each month of the year, and said: 'The maintenance of this estate is not a seasonal endeavour but requires round-the-year attention.' While Meghan and Harry often keep their home life private, they have given fans a sneak peek into their digs. Prince Harry's $200m UK secret revealed Playground for Archie and Lilibet The royal couple's children, Archie and Lilibet, may not be growing up in a British palace, but their home sounds like a children's paradise. The two youngsters have an incredible adventure playground outside, as well as a playhouse, and an indoor princess playroom. The outdoor adventure area has slides, swings, a climbing frame, climbing wall, helter skelter (play equipment) and other fun obstacle courses. And we've already seen a sneak peek at their garden playhouse, when the Sussexes shared a painting of them outside for their 2020 Christmas card. The Sussex brood have five acres of land surrounding their Santa Barbara mansion, so it looks perfect for Lilibet and Archie to enjoy. Chicken mansion Meghan and Harry gave Oprah Winfrey the grand tour of their mansion and revealed they have rescue chickens from a factory farm. The couple walked the talk show host to their coop – a home to rescued chickens. In the video clip, an adorable red hen house dubbed 'Archie's Chick Inn' was also spotted. Oprah said the chickens were saved from a nearby factory farm. Koi fish pond When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex splashed out $23 million on their Montecito home in 2020, they were informed there was a one drawback with the property. The luxe residence came with some 'stressed' koi carp in the pond that needed professional care. Writing about their home in his memoir 'Spare', Harry wrote: 'We found a place. 'Priced at a steep discount. Just up the coast, outside Santa Barbara. 'Lots of room, large gardens, a climbing frame — even a pond with koi carp. 'The koi were stressed, the estate agent warned. 'So are we. We'll all get along famously. 'No, the agent explained, the koi need very particular care.' The Duke revealed he was informed that he would have to 'hire a koi guy' for the stressed fish, and he had inquired as to where to find a specialist. He continued: 'The agent wasn't sure. We laughed. First-world problems.' Vegetable patch The couple are said to grow their own vegetables in their garden, and use the ingredients for their meals. After Lilibet's birth, a friend told Closer: 'The couple has been relaxing at home since becoming proud parents of Lilibet. 'Harry is a devoted family man and has been helping out around the house. 'He picks vegetables from the garden to make fresh juices for Meghan and entertains Archie when she needs to rest up. 'He loves taking Archie to see the chickens or for a swim in the pool.' Cute seating areas When the couple weighed in on the US election when they filmed a special message to voters outside their home. The pair were filmed sitting on a bench in the middle of a neatly trimmed patch of grass. Either side of them, there were well maintained flower beds and a large tree – which would later feature in their pregnancy photo shoot – loomed behind. The couple took out a massive $14.9 million mortgage on their lavish nine bedroom, 16 bathroom estate – which they are calling their 'sanctuary'. It also boasts a theatre, arcade and guesthouse.
