Voucher: 20% off at Brantano
Fancy a sweet little 20% off at Brantano? Well that’s exactly what you can get with the following printable voucher. The voucher is valid instore and on the dates between Monday 28th September and 4th October only.
Click here to access the voucher, print it off and fill in your details then simply hand it over [...]
With new LED lightbulb, Philips is first to enter DOE’s Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes competition
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that over the course of a year LED lightbulbs could save enough power to illuminate more than 17 million American homes and also keep nearly 6 million metric tons of greenhouse-gas emissions from entering the environment.
That's why the DOE, though its Energy's Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prizes competition, or L Prize, is fast-tracking efforts to find a replacement for two of the most widely used inefficient lightbulbs—the 60-watt incandescent lightbulb and the PAR 38 halogen lamp.
Philips Electronics recently became the first company to submit an LED bulb (shown) into the $10 million winner-takes-all competition, which was established through the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The winning bulb will also be considered for federal purchasing agreements and promoted by DOE partners, including utility companies.
The DOE has set the bar high for the winning product. It's looking for an LED lightbulb that's uses less energy than not only incandescent and halogen bulbs but also compact fluorescent lightbulbs. (Check out our latest report on and ratings of CFLs, available to subscribers.) This LED must consume less than 10 watts, last more than 25,000 hours, and produce more than 900 lumens—a comparable output of a 60-watt incandescent lightbulb. What's more, the bulb has to be dimmable, and its color, light output, and light distribution must be similar to an incandescent's. Independent laboratories will confirm that the bulbs meet the DOE's high standards through testing that's expected to take up to a year.
The DOE competition is a way to get manufacturers to address LED drawbacks faster than the 20 years it's taken them to improve CFLs and sell them at reasonable prices.
You can find LEDs in stores now, and some are more efficient than CFLs, last even longer, turn on instantly, and don't contain mercury. But the quality of the white light LEDs typically produce isn't great, they don't produce enough light, and bulbs cost $20 to $50, with some soaring to $100.
The DOE wants manufacturers to sell the winning LED for $22 the first year it's on the market and for $8 by the third year. (These prices include rebates and other incentives to consumers.) That's aggressive pricing, given that DOE is emphasizing a Made-in-the-U.S.A. model for the LEDs. For instance, 75 percent of the LED must be assembled in this country or packaged here, or the majority of the LED's die or chip must be U.S. made. One of the factors behind the price drop for CFLs is that most are made in China.
We'll continue to track the news surrounding the L Prize and keep you informed of the latest developments in LEDs.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential reading: Find out how to choose CFLs, read "10 Questions for . . . Nadarajah Narendran, Ph.D., Lighting Researcher" for more news on advances in lighting technology, and see what European consumers think about the European Union's ban on some incandescent lightbulbs.
World Health Organization lowers recommended action level for radon; goal is to reduce lung-cancer risk
Based on recently completed research, the World Health Organization is recommending that homeowners take action to remediate the radon level in their home if it exceeds 100 becquerels (Bq), which corresponds to 2.7 picocuries per liter (pCi/L).That's lower than the 4.0 pCi/L current action level in this country as recommended by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.
The WHO also says that if this level can't be reached because of country-specific conditions, the action level should not exceed 300 Bq, or about 8 pCi/L.
The WHO research, based on four years of work by 100 scientists from 30 countries, appears in the "WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon" (PDF).
The EPA has just learned of the WHO's recommendation, according to Tom Kelly, acting director of the EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air. The EPA regularly reexamines its recommendations on radon and will take the WHO's advice into account but is not changing the level now. "The WHO does not say 2.7 is a safe level; there is no safe level. The EPA has said that homeowners should consider mitigation at levels of 2.0 pCi/L," says Kelly. "At levels of 4.0 pCi/L, homeowner should be very concerned. What's most important is that homeowners have their homes tested and that our message on radon is simple, clear, memorable, and actionable."
Radon, a radioactive gas, results from the natural decay of uranium that's present in most soils and can enter the home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The WHO states that as many as 14 percent of lung-cancer cases in many countries, including the United States, are caused by exposure to radon. Smokers who live in a home with radon face an even higher lung-cancer risk.
Detecting radon is relatively simple and fixing the problem isn't difficult. However, as we found in our latest report on radon test kits, some kits underreported radon levels by almost 40 percent, so choosing the right one is crucial. Check out our ratings of radon test kits to find the most accurate, reliable models.
Long-term kits are more accurate because radon levels can vary from day to day. You should place the test kit(s) on the lowest occupied level of your home away from windows or vents.—Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: Remember, radon levels can vary from one house to another in a neighborhood, so even if all surrounding homes are free of radon, you should have yours tested, especially important if you've done major structural renovations. To find a remediation contractor, contact your state radon office. Remediation will cost $800 to $2,500, depending on the radon-reduction system used and the characteristics of your home.
Voucher: 20% off at New Look
Here’s somewhat of a rarity, a voucher code for the wonderful New Look and it will get you a juicy 20% off. Lovely stuff! The voucher is valid on October 3rd and 4th only so be sure to set yourself a reminder and use it then.
Simply visit New Look via this link and then enter [...]
Russell Simmons and America’s Greenest Campus promote environmental efforts at colleges nationwide
A multifaceted mogul who started the Def Jam music label and the Phat Farm clothing line and developed HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Russell Simmons is more than just a hip-hop impresario, a point emphasized by his latest endeavor.
The 51-year-old Simmons is serving as the spokesman for America's Greenest Campus, a competition among colleges to reduce their carbon footprint. "Hip hop makes the planet cool. Now hip hop has to save it," Simmons says in the public-service announcement shown here.
Nearly 500 schools have entered the America's Greenest Campus competition, each with an official student organizer responsible for managing campus involvement and promoting carbon-reduction activities, including using the sleep mode on computers, taking mass transportation, and turning off the lights when leaving a dorm room. (With any luck, they're using compact fluorescent lightbulbs.) The competition wraps up on October 5.
Two $5,000 cash prizes will be awarded, one to the school with the most members and one to the school with the largest percentage reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions.
The University of Maryland currently tops the leader board; its 2,128 members have reduced carbon dioxide on the College Park campus by 1.17 percent. (Let's hope the frats aren't serving flat beer.) As of September 25, East Tennessee State University leads that category, with its members posting a 22 percent reduction so far.
Simmons has been a vegan for years, something he's connected to the green movement. "The consumption of animals causes more harm to the environment than all the forms of transportation put together," he told CNN last year.
Simmons might want to extend his green efforts to the world of cars. As part of his 2008 divorce settlement with Kimora Lee Simmons, every two years he has to buy or lease a car for his daughters' use, and the vehicle must be valued at a minimum of $60,000 each. Considering that most highly fuel-efficient vehicles cost much less than that, Simmons might be stuck buying the Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car that starts at an off-the-chain $109,000.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: Use these expert tips for cutting energy costs and visit our new Energy Saving & Green Living guide for more ways to curb carbon emissions at home.
Energy efficiency tops the agenda at the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative
The Clinton Global Initiative is holding its fifth annual meeting this week in New York City. The event brings together an A-list group of leaders and luminaries from the worlds of business, government, academia, science, and nongovernmental organizations. On the agenda are energy and climate change, education, global health, and economic empowerment.
Some 1,400 "commitments to actions" have come out of the initiative since former president Bill Clinton (shown yesterday with President Barack Obama) founded the CGI in 2005. Last year, Jack Hidary, chairman of SmartTransportation.org, announced the Car Allowance Rebate System, or cash for clunkers.
Hidary was on hand yesterday to discuss the journey from commitment announcement to headline news. He explained that it was the memory of his grandmother receiving a rebate for her old refrigerator that inspired cash for clunkers. He noted his satisfaction that the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances, brings things full circle.
At this year's CGI, energy efficiency has been a hot topic. President Clinton observed yesterday that the United State ranks 100th in the world for energy efficiency. Bracken Hendricks, a fellow at the Center for American Progress, said that "the U.S. is the Saudi Arabia of energy efficiency in terms of this untapped resource."
Several commitments made this week target energy efficiency. Duke Energy and ENN announced an agreement to speed up the development of low-carbon and clean technologies. Among the innovations they'll look to accelerate is the use of algae to soak up greenhouse gases.
There's also lots of buzz around a session planned for this afternoon called "Infrastructure Special Session: Building a Better Future—A Progress Report on Making it Right in New Orleans." Some of the interest might come from the fact that Brad Pitt started the Make It Right Foundation, which aims to rebuild New Orleans in a sustainable manner and was launched at the 2007 CGI meeting. Today's session will provide an update of that effort and is expected to spin out into other exciting areas of green building.
You can stream video of this or any other session at the CGI Web cast. We'll continue to report on interesting commitments that came out of from the meeting.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ventures into social media
If you've seen the Verizon Wireless ad in which a son pleads with his
father to "cool it with the Twitter updates," you realize that at least
on the high-tech front, there's not much of a generation gap between
today's kids and their parents.
So
it makes sense that the stodgy federal government has entered the world
of social media. The latest agency to try out Web 2.0 is the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is now using YouTube (CPSC Chairwoman Inez Tenenbaum is shown), Twitter, and FlickR as ways to raise awareness of safety issues and recalls.
The
agency has relied on its Web site, OnSafety blog, and e-mail alerts to
spread the word, and ran the "Drive to 1 Million" campaign more than
two years ago. Now the CPSC will publish its recall notices, videos,
podcasts, and more on the aforementioned social networks. The push
began yesterday with a campaign aimed at preventing furniture tip-overs.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: To stay on top of product recalls and other safety-related topics, read the Consumer Reports Safety blog.
Bargain: Watches from Blue Dial
If you are looking to give a gorgeous and special gift, you can’t go far wrong with a watch in my opinion. I own several watches that hold very special memories for me and tend to always opt for them as gifts for my loved ones when possible.
If you are looking for super stylish watches [...]
Tip of the Day: Find the best freezer for your home
Freezer sales rose last spring, as more Americans apparently made bulk to purchases to stretch their food-buying bucks. But an inefficient freezer that delivers inconsistent temperatures will melt away your savings through higher electric bills and damaged food.
Our new video buyer's guide to freezers (right) details the strengths and weaknesses of some popular models of chest and upright freezers we tested. For more details on these appliances, check out our latest report on freezers, free buyer's guide, and ratings of 20 models (available to subscribers).
Once you've chosen a model, find the best places to buy appliances. Also be sure to take advantage of federal, state, and local governments tax incentives and rebates for freezers and be on the lookout for details on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, commonly called cash-for-clunkers for appliances.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: Follow these easy instructions for freezing food.
Weekend Project: Fall cleaning tips for inside your home
Spring cleaning seems to get most of the attention, but fall is also a good time to get your house in order. Check out these fall-cleaning tips for the interior of your home and your yard and garden and those that follow.
Clean drapes, upholstery, carpeting, and floors. A canister vacuum can do a better job on drapes and upholstery, while an upright is better for deep-cleaning carpets. For your carpeting, use a carpet cleaner or schedule a professional cleaning. If your wood floors have taken a beating over the summer, see "Can This Flooring Be Saved?" to deal with worn finishes or damage.
Be a greener cleaner. Try these alternatives to store-bought cleaners. The video here shows more ways that everyday products cleaners can substitute for specialized cleaners.
Dispose of old paint and other hazardous products. Don't dispose of old paint, cleaners, solvents, pesticides, or other potentially dangerous products with the trash. Read our advice for proper disposal of paints and finishes and common household items.
Also check with your municipality for collection dates for hazardous household materials. A feature on Earth911.com lets you search by location for dates. As a colleague recently discovered, you can save a ton of money carting refuse to a certified facility rather using a professional waste-disposal service.
Be wary of airborne and other problems. If you're concerned about radon or lead in your home, read our report on home-use test kits to find those that work best. We've also found mold kits to be ineffective; use a professional if you see these telltale signs of mold.
There's also little evidence that air purifiers can help people who suffer from asthma and allergies. If you want to use an air purifier, use whole-house and portable models that rely on filters and that produce no ozone. (Ratings of air purifiers are available to subscribers.) Look for our report on carbon-monoxide and smoke alarms in the November 2009 issue of Consumer Reports, online and on newsstands in early October.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: If you or another member are prone to accidents, watch this video on the best ways to handle spills from wine and soda. Before the start of heating season, get your heating system tuned up. And to save money on your utility bills, install a programmable thermostat, read our buyer's guides to furnaces (more details here), solar water heaters, and pellet stoves, and follow our overall experts tips for cutting your energy costs.