Keep cool: Battery-operated tools give you increased mobility in the field – unless the battery’s dead. Prevent battery problems by using these field-survival tips:
The No. 1 thing to remember is that heat is your battery’s biggest enemy. It saps energy and shortens its life. Store cordless tools in a cool place; don’t let them lie out in the sun or keep them in a hot truck or car trunk.
If a battery gets heavy use and runs down, let it cool off a while before recharging, because chargers generate heat.
Remember to use tools until the battery runs all the way down. Partial charges create problems. And so-called “quick chargers” don’t always bring all cells up to full power; after 10 or more “quick” power-ups, charge a battery the usual way to full capacity.
Finally, a battery will still run down even if it’s not used often. If you’re attacking a big job, plan to charge ahead of time, to make sure.
Do my stuff: Have domestic chores turned your life into drudgery? A new Web site has a solution: Outsource them.
The Web site, www.domystuff.com, allows people to auction off chores and other tasks.
Darren Berkovitz, 23, launched domystuff.com two months ago with three partners, all in their 20s.
Tasks are posted on the site by “employers” and bid on by “assistants.” Anyone looking for help can limit bidding to those who live near their town or city. There is also a “global” section for jobs such as Web marketing or computer programming. Feedback similar to that on eBay, where possessions are sold, is posted by the employer about the job performance of the assistant.
The mantra of the new Web site basically comes down to “personal assistants for everyone,” Berkovitz says. “You could outsource your entire life.”
How green is it: Want to be sure an Energy Star product meets the program’s most recent standards? You can by visiting www.energystar.gov.
Clicking on the home page link “Explore Products” sends users to a list of items, including appliances.
If you’re looking for the most efficient clothes washer, for example, you can find links for calculating savings in dollars or determining the unit’s “modified energy factor,” which measures the energy used during the washing process, including machine energy, water heating energy and dryer energy. The higher the modified energy factor, the more efficient the washer.
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