Yesterday, my Daily Tech Update heard on 350+ radio stations about how EVs don’t like cold weather hit home with a ton of folks. You see, even if you charged up to prepare the night before, the battery could be dead or pretty close to it when you wake up. Wow, so many people told me they had no idea this would happen when they bought an EV.
Yeah, it’s cold all across the country — Babbitt, Minnesota: -15°, Dubuque, Iowa: 3°, Sioux Falls, South Dakota: 6° and Chicago, Illinois: 10°. I’m freezing in Phoenix, where it’s 53° as I type, and I have a space heater on under my desk. (Insert wha-wha sound here!)
Fear not, dear one, for I have hot tech tips to keep you nice and toasty.
Never miss a cold snap: Smart speakers can give real-time weather alerts. Try saying, “Alexa (Siri or Google) tell me when there’s a severe weather alert,” to know when a freeze warning, snowstorm (or any other major weather event) is coming.
A breath of fresh air: Cold weather means super dry air. Forget that old humidifier. It’s 2024! Get a smart humidifier you control with your phone. This one has a 50-hour runtime (20% off!) and uses sensors and algorithms to keep the perfect humidity levels. Super quiet, too!
With the accompanying app, you can adjust mist settings, timers and even ambient lighting using your smartphone, Alexa or Google Assistant. Nice.
Heaters gonna heat: Grab a smart plug to set a schedule for your space heater — or turn on and off when you’re not home. Worth it for the peace of mind. And let me tell ya, a smart thermostat is a no-brainer, so your house is warm and toasty when you return from work or errands.
One smart cookie: A smart thermostat is a no-brainer. You can make sure your home is warm and toasty when you return from work or errands. It can also monitor your HVAC system’s performance and efficiency by delivering usage reports, equipment alerts and maintenance reminders. Never forget to replace a filter again!
Shocking electric bills? Use a thermal leak detector or an infrared camera attachment for your smartphone to identify where heat is escaping. You can fix these energy wasters with insulation or draft stoppers. Not sure how? Hit YouTube for videos.
Warmth in a flash: Your smartphone’s flashlight generates a small amount of heat. For a quick hand warmer, turn on the flashlight and hold your hands around it. Yes, this works — but it will drain your battery if you do it for too long. Instead, pick up these hand warmers for $2.68 (44% off!). Love these!
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It’s getting hot out there, and you’re probably itching to hit the road. Have an older car? Rather than dropping a fortune on a new one, try these upgrades to revamp your ride.
You may not have enough money to travel by car or plane if you don’t get a handle on your bills. Energy prices are high and are expected to stay there for some time. Here are some clever tips to lower energy bills.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Plus, can your smart thermostat be controlled by the power company? Dennis from Myrtle Beach wants to know, and I give him the answer. I explore why Siri and Alexa falter with CPR, the best times to buy flights and cruises, and how tech pros use hotel TVs.
Whether it’s Amazon, Microsoft, Apple or Google, Big Tech likes to make a production out of its big announcements. Even when there’s no big stage production, the big boys make sure everyone knows that something is coming. Though we’re living in a time of social distancing, anyone can attend these events virtually.
The COVID Delta variant has companies rethinking having employees returning to the office. Tap or click here for an online map that helps you track this dangerous variant.
With more people staying home, household energy use is surging. Unfortunately, the higher electric bills come at a time when people are already financially strapped.
The scorching temps are burning a hole in your wallet. Here’s how you can beat the heat and save some bucks, in 60 seconds.
Can you imagine not being able to lower your thermostat in the middle of a heat wave? Here’s all you need to know, in 60 seconds.
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For those of us who prefer to keep it cool indoors, technology is the best way to beat the heat. Whether it’s a high-end fan or freezable clothing pads, these summer gadgets will let you have it made in the shade. Tap or click here to see our favorite picks for cooling tech.
Ah, the humble electrical plug. They do so much, yet get so little glory. And we’re not even talking about smart plugs here.
Smart plugs are revolutionizing how we use various appliances in our homes. But most people are too busy thinking of smart devices and home hubs to pay them very much mind.
