ArcaMax

Are you using ChatGPT to crank out silly photos, ask random questions or just kill time? You might be wasting more than hours -- you’re wasting water. Massive data centers that power AI need huge amounts of water for cooling, and researchers estimate that every 20 to 50 questions require the equivalent of a 500 mL bottle. That may not sound ...Read more

Bees are critical pollinators, so anything you can do at home to support our bee population is helpful. One of the easiest things is to plant prolific plants that produce a nice amount of pollen and nectar. Flowers are obviously a good choice, since they produce pollen more frequently, but so are trees and shrubs, because they produce high ...Read more

If your home uses a tank water heater, it’s important to flush it out at least once a year. Small particles, dirt and other sediment collect at the bottom of your water heater throughout the year, and these things can have a dramatic effect on your unit’s overall efficiency. And this task is easy enough to perform that you can do it yourself...Read more

Have some rusty tools that could use a good cleaning? When your workshop or gardening tools have oxidized and turned rusty, you can easily wipe away the rust by using a kitchen staple: a potato. Potatoes are high in ferric oxalate, which turns the rust into a sludgelike substance that is easily wiped away. Cut a potato in half (perhaps use spuds...Read more

Does your home have a septic tank? If so, it’s important to check it periodically to make sure that it's working efficiently. Have the tank pumped and inspected every two to three years. Checking regularly to make sure it’s in good working order will ensure that it isn’t leaking pollutants into the ground and waterways. And every septic ...Read more

Whether you’re frying an egg or sauteing vegetables, it matters what size pan you use on your cooktop. If you’re using a small pan on a large burner, you’re wasting heat and throwing money away. Here’s an example: Cooking with a small pan on a large electric burner cooktop can cause up to a 40% decrease in energy efficiency. By choosing ...Read more

Natural mulch is a great way to help retain moisture in the soil and suppress weed growth. However, it's best to avoid black-colored mulch, for several reasons. First, black mulch absorbs more heat, causing it to dry out faster and requiring more frequent watering. Second, it’s often dyed and may contain chipped, chemically treated wood that ...Read more

Did you know the color of your jeans can have an environmental impact? Turns out faded or distressed jeans are created through a process that involves multiple washes in harsh chemicals. It’s estimated that somewhere between 900 and 1,600 gallons of water are used per pair of jeans, and chemicals like bleach end up in waterways. Dark finishes ...Read more

With so many viewing options, ranging from conventional cable boxes to streaming services like Netflix, there are some eco-friendly choices you can make to minimize energy usage when watching movies and TV shows. If you only use streaming platforms, go with an "internet-ready" TV that needs only a small plug-in device for streaming platforms to ...Read more