Latest news with #summercooling
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Xcel Energy offering tips for Colorado customers to save money on summertime electric bills
As temperatures heat up in Colorado and stay in the 90s over the next couple of days, many residents will be escaping the hot weather outside and staying cool inside. Xcel Energy is offering tips for customers to save money on their summertime electric bills. There are several ways to do so, and the best way to keep your energy bill low is to be conservative when using your air conditioning and other appliances. Also, practice energy efficiency habits to stay cool. Andrew Holder, the Director of Community Relations and Local Government Affairs for Xcel Energy, said that includes running fans to circulate cool air throughout your home and running ceiling fans counterclockwise to circulate air from the bottom of the room to the top. "During the year, you can also improve some of your insulation so that you don't have any of that cool air escaping from your house. And then also, you can turn off unnecessary lighting and replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs, which can use 75 to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs, and they generally last about 15 times longer," said Holder. Opening all doors inside your home can improve air circulation, and closing all drapes and blinds during the day will help keep your home cooler. A programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature could also help you save a few extra dollars. Additionally, set your thermostat a couple of degrees higher to use your home's cooling system most efficiently. "If you have a programmable thermostat, we recommend that you can raise the temperature in the house to about 78 degrees if you're away from the home. But we do want to stress that we want to make sure our customers stay safe and comfortable through the season, but if they do want to save a couple dollars, you could set that thermostat up to 78," said Holder. Changing your air conditioning filters can also reduce your energy consumption by 5% to 15%. Turning off lights and electronics when they're not in use and running appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers during the nighttime also reduces strain on the electric grid. "We look at the energy usage as a bell curve, and we build our energy system to the highest usage point, which is generally the hottest day in July when everybody gets home from work and they're running their air conditioning. So, we're not anticipating any brownouts. But there are also several tricks that our customers can do to lower the energy usage here in the state, as we're seeing some hot weather months," said Holder. Xcel Energy also offers energy efficiency programs with money saving options, including rebates, home energy audits and deals on smart products.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Parents ‘need' £7.99 Home Bargains buy that keeps babies cool – it ‘works wonders' & can be clipped onto cots or prams
PARENTS are racing to their nearest Home Bargains store, desperate to nab a purse-friendly product that will keep babies cool as the temperatures soar. So with the weather continuing to leave us all feeling hot and bothered, if you're desperately searching for ways to cool your little ones down, you won't want to miss this. 4 4 One mother was left overjoyed after browsing the aisles in her local Home Bargains, when she spotted a cheap find that's perfect for summer. Not only is it said to 'work wonders', but it can be clipped onto prams, cots or even car seats too. Thrilled with her find, Billie-May Rogers eagerly raced to social media to alert others to her find, leaving many totally stunned. Posting on Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, a private Facebook group with 2.6 million members, Billie-May uploaded snaps of her new Pifco Clip-On Fan, which she attached to her child's pushchair. Alongside the post, the savvy shopper beamed: 'To parents in this heat - £7.99 in Home Bargains. 'Chargeable and much stronger than the baby clip on ones (mine broke after one use). 'Clips on to the pram and fully rotational.' Thanks to the Pifco Clip-On Fan, which is available in three colours - black, grey and white - your little darlings are sure to stay cool wherever they go. According to the product listing, this bargain buy is 'portable, wireless, and rechargeable' and it is said to 'easily clip onto any surface'. Not only does it offer a refreshing breeze with its 360° tilt function, but it's perfect for those hot days or stuffy spaces too. And it's clear that Facebook users were clearly left impressed by the affordable fan, as Billie-May's post has quickly amassed 464 likes and 920 comments in just 15 hours. One person said: 'Need this.' Five ways to keep your kids cool in the heat IT can be really difficult - and costly - to keep kids cool when it's hot outside. But Fabulous Digital Senior Reporter and mum-of-two Sarah Bull shares five ways to help, and they won't break the budget either. Strip them off It might sound simple, but stripping kids off at home can really help them regulate their temperature when it's warm outside. Just remember to regularly apply suncream, as more of their skin will be exposed to the sun. Cool down bedrooms before nighttime When it's hot outside, it can be difficult for kids to go to sleep - especially if their bedroom feels like an oven. If you have a room that's not in direct sunshine, keep the windows open to let in a breeze. It's also a good idea to keep the curtains closed, to prevent the room from heating up. Wear a hat Another simple technique, but one that really works. Make sure that if your kids are playing outside, they've got a hat on. It keeps their face and head shielded from the sun, and also helps if you've got a little one who struggles with bright sunlight. If your tot struggles to keep a hat on, try one with a strap that goes under the chin to help. Avoid the car The car can be one of the hottest places during a heatwave, and often takes a long time to cool down. If you have the option, it's better to stay at home rather than taking kids out anywhere in a hot car. Stay hydrated This is always important, but even more so in a heatwave. Make sure you're regularly reminding your kids to have a drink, and top them up with cool liquids whenever you can. Use ice too to ensure it's as cold as it can possibly be. Another added: 'This looks good.' Whilst a third person tagged a bargain hunter and begged: 'Please grab me one of these!' At the same time, many happy shoppers eagerly raced to the comments to share their rave reviews on the affordable fans. One parent commented: 'Got one of these two years ago for my toddler and it's a godsend!!' How to keep cool in a heatwave Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS... Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter. Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes. Keep your living space cool. Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep. A second user claimed: 'Best thing I brought two years ago and still going now.' Someone else beamed: 'Yep mine's brilliant, best I've bought. Side of bed, back of car for dog and on him in his bed.' Meanwhile, one Home Bargains fan shared: 'I have two of these, work wonders.'
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Home Bargains shoppers race to buy £5 gadget that'll keep you cool through the hot weather and cut energy bills
SHOPPERS are rushing to Home Bargains to snap up a summer must-have that promises to beat the heat – and it costs less than a fiver. The Pifco Hands-Free Wearable Neck Fan, priced at just £4.99, is flying off shelves – and it's not your average fan. Unlike clunky desk fans that chomp through electricity, this clever wearable version slips around your neck and blows cooling air directly at your face, saving on energy bills while keeping you chilled on the go. It features dual adjustable fans, multiple speed settings and a quiet motor – making it ideal for heatwaves, sweaty commutes or just pottering in the garden. on a run, but they're also useful if you want to stay cool at home. At just under a fiver, it's a steal compared to similar models: Boots Wearable Neck Fan – £15.99 Valiant Wireless Neck Fan at B&Q – £14.99 Blaupunkt Cordless Neck Fan at B&M – £10 That's a saving of up to £11 with the Home Bargains version. Plus, because it's USB rechargeable, there's no need to keep replacing batteries – meaning it's cheaper to run than a traditional fan over summer. It is important to remember to always shop around when buying something like this as you might find a cheaper alternative. Websites like Trolley and Price Spy let you compare thousands of products across different retailers to find the best price. Shoppers race to Home Bargains for huge £51 saving on a posh beauty buy & a £1.99 must have Price Spy even lets you see how much an item has cost over time, so you can see if the current price is a good deal. A quick scan on the Google Shopping/Product tab will also bring up how much retailers are selling a certain item for too. Previous sales Last month, bargain supermarket Aldi launched a gorgeous new garden must-have Decorative Table for just £14.99, perfect for creating your own Mediterranean retreat. Recent Specialbuys from the discounter has also included the popular solar lights range. As well as a cheaper alternative to the Karcher pressure washer by some £80. Elsewhere, B&M released a number of garden furniture, this included a Sienna double egg chair which retails for £250. It also released the Paris 2-Seater Pod Chair is on sale also priced at £250. Recently, Argos slashed its prices on a massive range of outdoor and DIY essentials, with discounts of up to £60. Three weeks ago, Wilko knocked down prices on patio sets, lounge chairs, and bistro sets. How to save money at Home Bargains Knowing when to pick up products is one way to save money at Home Bargains. Visiting your local branch at the right time of day, week and year can help you pick up bargains from as little as 69p. We spoke to Tom Church, a shopping expert who reveals the best times to visit the store to bag a bargain. Also join any shopper bargain Facebook groups such as Extreme Couponing and Bargains, as people love to share the news when they have bagged a cheap deal. Be sure to look out for seasonal stock too, like most retailers, Home Bargains shashes its prices after big public holidays such as Christmas and Easter. How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
