Latest news with #energyconservation
CNET
21 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Want to Cut Down Your Electricity Bill? Try Turning Off the Lights
As summer temperatures continue to break records each year, staying cool is more difficult than ever before. A fan or air conditioner can keep you comfortable, but it comes with a higher electric bill. With rising energy costs, you might be looking for easy ways to save money and stay on budget. Thankfully there's an easy hack that can help lower your energy bill without melting in the process. A recent CNET survey found 78% of Americans are stressed about high home energy bills. When you add the cost of rising rent, higher mortgage rates, pricier groceries and tariffs raising the cost of goods across the board, there are plenty of reasons to stress. However, even when everyday items have become more expensive, there are some ways to make your budget stretch a bit further. One of the easiest and most effective ways to save some money and reduce your energy bill is by turning off your lights when you aren't using them. Keep reading to learn why it's important to turn off the lights and how much money this simple habit can save you. For more, we also recommend investing in a smart plug or a smart thermostat, adjusting the temperature of your thermostat and weatherstripping to save extra cash.) Why should you turn off the lights? You've probably been told time and time again the importance of conserving energy, but you might be wondering why it's so important. First, reducing your energy usage by turning off your lights is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Electricity generation is one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. By turning off your lights when you aren't using them, you can do your part to reduce carbon emissions and therefore help the environment. Second, reducing your home's energy usage doesn't just help the environment. It also helps your wallet. Turning off lights when you don't need them can help to reduce your electricity bills. You'll also extend the life of your light bulbs, which will save you money as well. Pro savings tip Buying a smart lightbulb can help you conserve energy by setting your lights to go on and off at certain times, so no more falling asleep with all the lights left on overnight. The Wiz tunable white LED smart bulb is CNET's pick for the best white-light smart bulb. Details $9 at Amazon How much money can you save? The amount you can save on your electricity bill by turning off your lights depends on the type of light bulb you use. You can figure your potential savings using the light bulb's wattage. Let's say you have a light bulb that's 40 watts, meaning in one hour, the bulb will use 0.04 kWh. Then, you can use your electricity price — which you can find on your most recent utility bill — to figure out how much you'll save for that hour. In the case of the 40-watt bulb, if you pay an electricity rate of 10 cents per kWh, your savings by turning that bulb off for one hour would be 0.4 cents. It's easy to see that number and think it's simply not worth it to turn off your lights more often. After all, what difference does 0.4 cents make? First, remember that estimate is for a 40-watt bulb. If you have higher-wattage light bulbs, the savings will be greater. Next, that estimate uses an energy price of 10 cents per kWh, but in many areas, the price of electricity may be higher than that. Finally, our estimate looked at the savings of turning off one bulb for one hour. You likely have many light bulbs in your house, and there are far more than just one hour in a month. So when you calculate the savings of turning off all of your light bulbs for many more hours per month, your savings will increase significantly. When should you turn off the lights? You can save money by turning off your lights and fans whenever you don't need them. During the spring and summer, it's a good idea to check in on the peak and off-peak energy hours in your area. Many providers use a time-of-use electricity plan where energy costs rise during peak hours, or hours where the grid is facing higher demand, and lower during off-peak hours. These hours change depending on the seasons, so transitioning between seasons is a good time to check in on when you're paying the most for energy. During peak hours, usually during the afternoons in the summer while in the early morning and in the evenings after sunset during winter, it's helpful to be especially diligent in turning off lights and other electronic appliances when you leave a room to cut down on your energy bill. Thankfully, during the spring and summer, Daylight Saving Time is in effect, which means more daylight and less need to have the lights on in your home. A small change can yield big savings Turning off the lights and other electric appliances when you aren't using them is one of the most basic steps you can take to reduce your energy usage and save money on your electricity bill. Just remember that even a small change can add up to big energy savings for you and also help reduce your carbon footprint. More money-saving tips for you
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
iSP Summit highlights student contributions to sustainability
Dubai (UAE): International Schools Partnership (iSP) hosted its 'Class of Change' Summit at The English College, Dubai and The Hamilton International School, Doha. The event brought together student and teacher eco-leaders, school Principals, and facilities managers from iSP Schools across the region to celebrate the shared commitment to environmental sustainability. A total of 9 iSP schools from across the Middle East took part in this year's iSP Class of Change pilot project, each working toward measurable impact in reducing energy consumption and driving positive environmental change. This pilot marks the first time an entire iSP region has adopted a whole-school approach to sustainability, bringing together students, eco-lead staff, and facilities managers in a united effort to reduce environmental impact. The collaboration across roles and campuses reflects the culture of sustainability iSP is embedding throughout its schools. As a cutting-edge example of sustainability at scale, the Middle East's leadership will now serve as a model for similar initiatives across SP's global portfolio. The event celebrated student-led innovation and progress in sustainability and recognised the iSP schools that achieved the greatest reduction in energy consumption across the iSP network. Emissions were reduced by 17% this school year compared to the year prior, which is means over 2,000 tonnes of carbon saved. This is equivalent to over 12,000 trees grown for 10 years, taking 160 cars off the road for an entire year, or powering 1,500 homes for a month. Aspen Heights British School, In Abu Dhabi was named the school making the most impact and was awarded the first-place prize of AED 100,000 to be used to further support its campus sustainability initiatives. Reach British School also in Abu Dhabi received second place, while The Hamilton International School in Doha received third. The English College in Dubai was recognised with the Whole School Sustainability award for embedding a culture of sustainability within in the whole school community. Kam Bhamra, Regional Managing Director, iSP - Middle East said: 'At iSP, we believe that real change begins with empowering students to lead the way. The Class of Change Summit and the impact recognised, is a testament to the innovation, passion, and responsibility our students are demonstrating in tackling today's most urgent environmental challenges. By uniting schools, educators, and like-minded partners, we're not only celebrating progress, but we are also building a more sustainable future together.' Held under the theme "Be the Change!', the event featured inspiring showcases of student projects, collaborative discussions on best practices in energy conservation, and celebrated the impact the community has made towards sustainability. About International Schools Partnership: Moved by curiosity and empowered by self-confidence, students from iSP Schools thrive throughout their lifetime. International Schools Partnership (iSP) is a global community of over 100 international schools across over 25 countries. We champion a transformative approach to learning that goes beyond the classroom. By igniting our students' curiosity and growing their self-confidence, we empower them to become the next generation of changemakers. Our unique approach to learning recognises our students as collaborators in the learning process. We focus on developing the knowledge and lifelong skills that help them thrive beyond their time at school. iSP students benefit from teaching excellence, international opportunities, and careers guidance. Our schools have access to a global network of experts and our teachers and leaders are supported to continuously improve through extensive professional development programmes. iSP. Where confidence grows. For media enquiries, please contact: Janine Alamir
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why the direction your fan spins is key to a cooler summer
(NEXSTAR) – An often overlooked switch on ceiling fans could be the key to staying a bit cooler this summer. If you've ever taken a close look at the fan, you may have noticed a small switch located on the side of the fan base. The switch, which is found on nearly every fan, can change the direction the fan spins. Using that switch according to the season will not only keep you more comfortable, but it can also help you save money. In the summer, make sure that your fan is going in a counterclockwise direction, which forces cool air directly downward and creates a 'wind chill effect,' according to Home Depot. In the winter, you can switch it up so the fan rotates clockwise at a low speed, circulating the warm air that gets trapped near the ceiling. If you have ceiling fans as well as air conditioning, using the fan correctly will allow you to raise the thermostat by roughly 4 degrees Fahrenheit and still feel just as comfortable, according to the Department of Energy. In moderately hot weather, you may even be able to turn off the AC. The DOE reminds people to turn off fans in unoccupied rooms. If you're in the market for a ceiling fan, larger fan blades will move more air than smaller ones, but you have to make sure it's an appropriate size for the space. The Department of Energy recommends a 36- or 44-inch diameter fan for rooms up to 225 square feet. If the room is larger, consider a fan that is 52 inches or more, but keep in mind that if the room is longer than 18 feet one fan may not be enough. Ventilation with the proper fan will allow you to raise the thermostat by roughly 4 degrees without discomfort, according to the Department of Energy. Following recent trends, this summer is expected to be especially brutal, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. The report, issued in mid-May, found that all states are favored to experience above-average summer heat. The likelihood of a scorching summer varies regionally with the following states seeing the highest probability, according to NOAA: Texas, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona and New Mexico. New England, south Florida and a large swath of the Mountain West are also at an elevated likelihood of a hotter-than-normal summer. Alix Martichoux contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNET
3 days ago
- Health
- CNET
My Top 5 Smart Thermostat Tips to Beat the Summer Heat
It's not summer yet but the West Cost is already bracing for its first heat wave of the year, with other regions not far behind. I'm worried your smart thermostat may not be caught up on summer temperatures. Fortunately, the right changes to your settings can prep your home while ensuring you keep on saving money without your AC going off the rails. Smart thermostats excel at this kind of response, from automated changes to easy app updates even if you aren't home. These recommendations will have you set for the heat to come. Read more: The Best Smart Thermostats for Your Home 1. Set 'at home' heating to 68 Fahrenheit Set your thermostat to 68°F or below when winter comes knocking. Tyler Lacoma/CNET Check your summer scheduling in your app settings (such as the Ecobee app or the Google Home or Apple Home app) and use your scheduling options to set the daytime temperature -- when everyone will be home -- to 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. That's enough to keep the house cool without overheating or wasting energy. If you like the heat and can get a reliable breeze by opening windows, you may be able to bump settings up to 80 degrees or so to save more money. But when outdoor temperatures start soaring well above 80 degrees, close the windows so they don't dilute your cool air. Important note: Some US cities have cooling regulations that indicate thermostats can't be set above a certain temperature. They usually do this to prevent landlords from risking the health of the elderly or pets in an effort to save money during the hottest days. Check your city to see if it has any of these laws in place. 2. Set 'away/asleep' heating at 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit Google Home makes it easy to apply weekly schedules in minutes. Tyler Lacoma/CNET When everyone is out of the house for work or school, or asleep with a healthy dose of blankets, set your temperature trigger to between 82 and 85 Fahrenheit, depending on what feels the most comfortable. Lower temperatures are typically better when you're sleeping, while the house can usually endure higher temperatures when everyone is away -- although you should also think about what keeps your pets comfortable. Of course, we know that for some, sleeping when you're too hot is impossible. That's why it's also a good idea to remove some bedding for summer and crack open a window when temperatures get lower. Try to avoid setting up indoor rotating fans or similar solutions, as they'll eat into your electricity bill. 3. Turn on your Eco/CNET Most smart thermostats have an Eco mode or a recommended mode for saving as much money as possible. Ecobee even has an Eco Plus mode that adjusts cooling based on local electricity use in peak hours to save more energy. Enable these modes and apply them to your thermostat settings to see their suggestions. Nest thermostats, for example, have a green leaf icon that shows exactly when you're starting to save to make things easier. Usually, Eco modes are the best way to save on your bills without thinking about it and they tend to be reasonable. My Google Nest Thermostat Gen 4, for example, usually sets my "hold" eco mode to 82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day and can be adjusted from there. These modes combine well with learning modes that keep track of your manual preferences and home activity to automate savings suggestions over time. 4. Create a vacation mode Ecobee offers a dedicated vacation mode for its smart thermostat. Ecobee/CNET If your smart thermostat supports a vacation mode or alternate mode, set it up so that this alternate schedule is ready for summer trips. You may want it a little cooler in the day than your full away mode settings to help keep pets and plants comfortable, but maximize your savings by skipping any "at home" temperature bumps. If no one is at home and you're confident your house can withstand anything, close the shades and turn the cooling off entirely. Note that the Nest thermostat doesn't have a full alternate scheduling option but you can choose the "Add event" option for a similar result when creating your vacation plans. Read more: Home Security Prep If You're Taking a Trip 5. Move your satellite sensor to a common room Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor that makes cooling decisions based on location. Nest Newer smart thermostats often come with a satellite temperature sensor or let you buy one as an add-on (here's a Nest version for $40). This allows the thermostat to make cooling decisions based on a different location beyond the often-central thermostat installation. That can be very useful if parts of your home stay too hot (living rooms with lots of electronics, kitchens with active ovens, etc.) while air near the thermostat cools down too quickly. However, be careful with this method because it could cost you more money in the long run (which may be a small price to pay for your comfort). To save money, you can move the sensor to the coolest room, such as a bedroom at night with the windows open. Complete your home prep by learning if a space heater can help you save money and your home checklist for leaving on vacation.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
How to dry laundry without a dryer when it's cold or wet outside
Getting clothes and linen dry in constant wet weather can be frustrating. Maybe you don't have the luxury of a tumble dryer, or you're reluctant to use it to save on your next power bill. Add a sudden drop in temperature and the process of drying our washing can become even tricker. Some experts, like Lish Fejer, a science communicator and ABC reporter in Ngambri/Canberra, discourage the use of tumble dryers because of the amount of energy they consume and the impact they can have on your clothes. "[Tumble] drying is bad for your clothes; it wears them down," Lish says. Lish runs The Fix It Chicks with co-creator Jenny Edwards, teaching people cheap ways to wash and dry laundry. Here are some of the alternative methods you can use for drying clothes and linen in wet or cold weather. If the clothes can withstand it (avoid wool, linens and silks, for example), put them on a high-spin cycle in the washing machine, and repeat. "You can give drying a head start by spinning to get rid of as much water as possible," Lish says. When you take your clothes out of the washing machine, she suggests rolling them up in a clean, dry towel to remove excess moisture. Lish says when using a rack for air drying, make sure the clothes are spaced out well so air can circulate around each item. Using pegs means you won't have to fold the items over. "Look at any glass or window that is being hit by the sun — put your drying rack there, that will activate the drying process," Lish says. If heading out for the day, hang sheets and towels over chairs and tables. "I love a coat hanger; I hang shirts on them and put them over door frames and architraves." Ventilation is important to minimise condensation and avoid mould. "Humidity in the house is a big one [if drying clothes indoors]," says Lish. "How do you get rid of that moisture in your house without it causing mould and mildew and the health effects that come with that?" She recommends opening a window to manage this (weather dependent). You can also increase air flow indoors by using a pedestal or ceiling fan which Lish says uses little energy and helps with evaporation. The extraction fan in your bathroom will be effective when drying in there. Some split-system air conditioners have a dehumidifying mode that doesn't cool or heat (and therefore costs less to run). Drying happens best outside, so if you have the space, take advantage. If its overcast or rainy, using a balcony or undercover area is ideal — even if shady and cold. A windy day is a bonus, as items will dry faster. If you're strapped for time (or motivation), throw the wet load of washing onto an outdoor table on a towel in the sun, on a picnic blanket, on the trampoline, or on the heated floor. For small items, Lish lays them on a towel in the back of her car and parks it in the sun while at work. "You do have to occasionally go turn them over, and I leave the windows open a little." If you have a hot water system in the cupboard, you could also fold clothes that are nearly dry and place them on top. "Be careful not to cover the pressure valve," warns Lish. Lish says to throw in a clean, dry towel with your wet items. "That will significantly reduce the amount of time it needs to be on for as it absorbs some of the moisture." Susan Toft, the CEO and founder of a nationwide domestic laundry business, says the biggest mistake people make is simply "putting items in that are not meant for the dryer, because you can damage them". "Wool, in particular, will shrink. And that's probably the thing we see the most," she says. But, she says, you should also take great care with bras, other delicate items (such as anything with silk), and clothing with prints on it. "The best tip is to always follow the care label," she says. Consumer advocacy group CHOICE also advises caution when drying anything with lycra in it — so throwing in your activewear might not be the best bet. But if you do end up shrinking something, it's not the end of the world. For jumpers, you can wet them and pat them out with towels to try and stretch them back out, and then leave them to dry in a shady spot.
