Hack Archives | Page 21 of 332 | The Cool Down

An empty attic with slanted wooden beams, exposed insulation, and a window allowing natural light.

Tech

A battery explosion in a German shed is a warning: Summer heat can make bad home storage placement risky

Close-up view of metallic pipes with a welded joint on a metallic surface, showing some moisture.

Home

Pets started sneezing, then soapy water exposed a hissing leak in the HVAC

A close-up of a black roof with solar panels under a clear blue sky.

Home

A metal roof can outlast solar panels and dodge one of rooftop solar's most missed costs

A pair of young potato plants with green leaves growing amidst dried straw on the ground.

Home

He planted potatoes on bare soil, covered them with straw, and barely had to dig at harvest

An American goldfinch on a sunflower.

Home

Plant sunflowers in your yard, and they may bring bees, birds, and healthier soil

A person holding soil in both hands, examining its texture against a background of tilled earth.

Home

Soil scientist tests forest, prairie, and marsh soil to see if garden inoculation works

A man plugging a cord into a utility meter.

Tech

In California, a new meter could turn parked EVs into backup power without a costly rewire

A person checks an electric meter display while using a flashlight for illumination.

Business

Tampa residents see power bills double, triple in brutal heat as storm surcharge nears end

A person adjusts a smart thermostat displaying the temperature setting in a modern home interior.

Home

Texas hits hottest day so far, and every thermostat degree could trim summer power bills

A gas burner.

Home

Arizona households have until Aug. 1 to get rebates for swapping gas appliances for electric

A woman plugging a charger into an EV.

Tech

New England utilities will pay EV owners to turn parked cars into backup power

Business

In New Jersey, PSE&G's efficiency programs pass $1 billion in annual customer savings