LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. For the latest national news from NPR and our live radio broadcast, visitBuying appliances and vehicles that run on electricity, not fossil fuels, can help reduce our carbon footprint. Making these upgrades will cost money — so you will need to plan ahead, says Joel Rosenberg of the nonprofit group Rewiring America.In these challenging times, the need for reliable local reporting has never been greater.
They may look like the more familiar glass-top electric stoves, but they're not. Consumer Reports has tested cooking stoves and finds that induction rangesgas and traditional electric ones. That includes simple tasks like boiling water, says Shanika Whitehurst, associate director for product sustainability at Consumer Reports."We've gone from it taking 20 minutes to it taking under 90 seconds.
can cut your utility bills, but you'll probably have to pay more up front. Just how much depends on your current setup. If you already have a furnace that blows air it'll be cheaper because ducts are already in place. But if you have a boiler and radiators, costs can be high because you'll have to install air ducts.
Consumer Reports ranks water heaters that use heat pump technology as better than gas or traditional electric ones, though they cost more than twice as much. The cheapest heat pump water heaters are $1,000, while traditional electric and gas ones are about $400. As with most climate friendly purchases, even baby steps are helpful. If an EV isn't the right choice for you, consider a hybrid car. The gas-and-battery combination improves gas mileage, which saves you money at the pump. Hybrids do cost more regular cars, but Consumer Reports finds the average payback period from gas costs has declined, from eight years to four since 2015.Rosenberg recognizes that most Americans still rely on cars to get around.