Although low-income households consume less energy than wealthier households, they are still keen to learn how to save energy, for both economic and environmental reasons. This is the conclusion of a recent Swedish study which explored the energy-related behaviour of residents on low incomes. It provides insights which could help inform energy-awareness campaigns targeted at this section of the population.

Reducing uncertainties about how and why recycling should be sorted could help to increase the amount of waste that is recycled, according to new research from Sweden. Uncertainties could be reduced by providing people with more information, but are more likely to be resolved by making the recycling systems themselves easier to use, the researchers suggest.

The main factors affecting household food waste in the EU have been identified by an analysis of the 2013 Flash Eurobarometer survey (n.388). On an individual level, the main factors include age, gender, income and environmental attitudes. On the national level, the most significant factor is median disposable income. The authors suggest their results could help develop campaigns targeted at groups that generate the most household waste.

Improving the energy efficiency of homes could have positive economy-wide impacts, recent UK research suggests. It would allow householders to spend the money they save on energy on other products and services. Although this additional demand and the associated production in non-energy sectors would partly offset the energy saved in the home, this ‘rebound effect’ does not completely outweigh the household energy savings.

Electricity consumption fell by 22–27% in low-income households participating in an energy-efficiency programme in Cyprus, France, Malta and Spain, reports a new study. Participants were provided with a range of tools and information to help them curb their energy use, including smart meters and customised reports. The results confirm the value of tailoring information to specific demographic groups.

An inventory of carbon footprints has been developed for 177 regions across 27 EU Member States. The map is the first to quantify greenhouse gas emissions associated with household consumption across the EU. It reveals significant regional differences based on income, household size and urban versus rural living.

In addition to reducing carbon emissions, policies promoting efficient energy use can encourage innovation in the manufacturing sector. This study evaluated the innovation effect of household energy policies using a comprehensive dataset of 21 European countries. The results show that policies such as financial subsidies and product labels can promote the development of sustainable-energy technologies.

According to a new study, an average UK household could reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 37 per cent through lifestyle changes whilst maintaining an acceptable standard of living.

Insights from a recent Italian study could help local authorities across Europe improve their rates of separate waste collection for recycling. The researchers found higher rates of separate waste collection in municipalities with high-quality governmental institutions for waste collection, non-mountainous terrain and higher income levels. Separating household waste into streams, such as glass or food, for re-use and recycling helps free up resources for a circular economy. Good-quality institutions are the main driver of separate waste collection and can overcome barriers such as low economic prosperity.

Rebates and exchange programmes for showerheads, toilets and washing machines can produce significant water savings, according to a US study. The study observed a 6 to14% reduction in household water demand for the first two years after these efficiency programmes were introduced by a water authority in Florida.

By identifying leaks using ‘smart’ water meters, and then encouraging householders to fix the problem, water companies can reduce the volumes of wasted water dramatically, new research suggests. In a case study in Australia, households reduced water loss by up to 91% after being informed of leaks in their homes and offered a rebate on repairs.

As the global population increases, it is increasingly urgent that policymakers and other actors facilitate feasible, sustainable solutions to the issue of food waste. This study explored the market effects of reducing household food waste within the EU. The researchers found that reductions of up to 50% by 2030 would lead to household cost savings, a shrinking agri-food sector, a mild negative macroeconomic impact and desirable reductions in environmental pressures, such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water abstraction.

Sources of biocidal active substances (BAS) in common household products have been assessed in a new study from Germany. These could potentially be released into wastewater and may be toxic to wildlife and humans. The main household sources of BAS were found to be washing, cleaning and personal-care products, which together accounted for over 90% of the observations of BAS in the products found in homes surveyed by the researchers.

Government assistance appears to be crucial to keeping many from falling into housing insecurity

In normal times, boredom is easily alleviated through the gamut of activity on our doorsteps. Coffee mornings, the cinema, body rubs, pubs and clubs all grab our attention, but when limitations are enforced, oh, what to do?

Add this kitchen mainstay to your arsenal of natural cleaners.

Switching out some surprisingly toxic household products for cleaner, greener alternatives can help save your health, money and the planet.

Reducing indoor allergens is simpler and cheaper than you think!

"American Wasteland" author Jonathan Bloom shares tips for the source reduction of food waste like shopping smarter and keeping foods visible.

As parts of the country enter day three of a heat wave, it's time to consider breaking out the big guns: Ice straws and stainless steel popsicle molds.

You probably have several of these items that contain plastic in your home right now. Here's how to avoid them.

Despite being phased out of many products, mercury still lurks in our homes.

Last year, Ramey and Tim Rascher and their two children moved from Texas to Northern Virginia and in that process, survived two major hurricanes. This is their story as told by Ramey.

The book is designed to help individuals and households making $75,000 to $400,000 in 2016.

The book is helpful to middle and upper middle income U.S. persons and households, and is especially helpful to self-employed persons.

A cleansing composition for cosmetic or household use may include an ampholytic polymer; a crosslinked cationic polymer; a surfactant component selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and zwitterionic surfactants; and an aqueous and/or organic carrier.

A tool for retrieval of dropped and other items includes an elongated rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, with a handle mounted at the first end of the rod and defining a user gripping surface, and a retrieval member mounted at the second end of the rod and defining a lower planar retrieval surface. The retrieval member includes a magnet and the lower planar retrieval member surface defines a sticky surface region, both for attachment and retrieval of dropped and other items.

A household appliance (100) comprises a cabinet (105) accommodating a drum for loading items to be dried and a drying air circuit for circulating drying air through the drum for drying the items therein. The drying air circuit comprises air heating elements (415) for heating the drying air fed to the drum, and the cabinet is provided with a worktop (110) defining a surface (130) having a plurality of apertures (135) in fluid communication with an air conveying system (205,225,230) adapted to deliver a flow of air through said apertures. The air conveying system comprises an air duct (230) thermally coupled to the air heating elements in such a way as to cause heat generated by the air heating elements to heat the air to be delivered through the apertures in the drying surface.

A household distribution box comprises a distribution box case; two service lines introduced from a transformer into the distribution box case of a consumer; three main lines installed in the distribution box case and provided with two lines and a second service line; two sub-lines installed in the distribution box case and formed by branching the second service line among the main lines into two lines; a first circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; a second circuit breaker installed in the distribution box case; and a controller connected to the first circuit breaker.

More than 2.5 million households across more than 60 countries tuned in for The New Heart, a powerful, timely revival presented by Amazing Facts International. 

With ten days of faith-building messages and crucial, relevant Bible answers from Pastor Doug Batchelor, president, the online series aired on Facebook, YouTube, and the AFTV online channel, and was even simultaneously translated into Spanish. Facebook users shared the programs more than 20,000 times.

Hosted by Pastor Jëan Ross, vice president for evangelism, the program was filmed at the W.O.R.D. Center with minimal on-site personnel—in keeping with safety measures during the pandemic.

Did you miss it? Watch it now!

“If there was ever a time when we needed deep, heart-searching revival, it’s now,” Pastor Doug noted. “The worldwide pandemic reminds us that we are nearing the return of Christ. Let’s not put off the spiritual preparation we will all need as we face Earth’s final events.”

And people responded to the invitation, with more than 25,000 emails and online messages pouring into the ministry. Vickie wrote, “Thank you, Pastor Doug. This series has really been an eye-opener, and I realize how important it is to read God’s Word every day. I really enjoy listening to you!”

The series also provided a time for families to come together. Viewer Sharyn noted, 

“I just want to share with you that my 91-year-old mother, Miss Jennie, and I watched all ten sermons, which aired here in our town each night at 9:00pm, and my mother would not miss even one. And, lastly, to show you how dedicated she was, she is extremely hard of hearing, so she had me place her chair right in front of the television so she could hear it to the exact volume that allowed her to hear without it being too loud or low. Thank you so much! Your gift made a wonderful impact on my elderly mother, and on me also.”

The daily sermons covered important revival themes, including, “Real Repentance,” “Sincere Confession,” “Receiving and Sharing Forgiveness,” “They Found the Book,” and “Mountain-Moving Faith.” On Sunday evening, Pastor Doug and Pastor Jëan hosted a special Bible Answers Live program on questions related to the topics featured in the series.

Free literature offers were extended during each broadcast. Viewers were encouraged to request the items via text message, ensuring they’d receive text reminders of subsequent programs. 

Amazing Facts International exists to make “God’s Message Our Mission” and spark revival among God’s end-time people. Thanks to the dedication of our ministry team and the generous financial support of our donors, The New Heart series reached millions and is continuing to impact the world, preparing this generation for Christ’s soon return!

If you missed the series or would like to watch the programs again, watch here. And be sure to share it with your friends and family!

While jurisdictions around the world begin to relax coronavirus restrictions, a handful are pioneering a novel — and potentially fraught — approach: The double bubble. In Canada they're doing it in Newfoundland, Labrador and New Brunswick.

The most popular online grocery category was packaged foods such as breakfast cereal and pasta; followed by toiletries, personal care products and diapers; household cleaners and paper products; and frozen food.

Don't have any dumbbells? Tape some rolls of quarters together. Sick of pushups and situps? Many Seattle-area gyms have been posting workouts on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, so follow along and keep your fitness going.

The most popular online grocery category was packaged foods such as breakfast cereal and pasta; followed by toiletries, personal care products and diapers; household cleaners and paper products; and frozen food.

The most popular online grocery category was packaged foods such as breakfast cereal and pasta; followed by toiletries, personal care products and diapers; household cleaners and paper products; and frozen food.

Japan will on Friday see March data for average household spending, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. Spending is predicted to sink 6.7 percent on year after easing 0.3 percent in February.

The average of household spending in Japan was down 6.0 percent on year in March, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said on Friday - coming in at 292,214 yen.

Some families are already taking advantage of "demand response", reducing their bills by cutting their electricity use at peak times. But a move to promote competition in the demand response market has come up against some serious opposition.

A fortnightly welfare payment for farmers, considered to be the cornerstone of drought assistance, should be removed from social security legislation, an independent review recommends.

Barnaby Joyce sees "no problems" with extending cashless welfare to families receiving the Farm Household Allowance.

Hundreds of thousands of families live in overcrowded homes. What is lockdown life like for them?

Data from March shows similarities in spending across various demographics.

London : C. Griffin, 1883.

The Getty Museum hopes its social media challenge will spark inspiration amid the COVID-19 pandemic

While COVID-19 has us homebound, it’s a good time to reflect on the peculiar histories of housewares we take for granted

Bank of Finland Research Discussion Papers by Gene Ambrocio

Siblings and other contacts of abused children, especially twins, are thought to be at higher risk for abuse than other children. However, the rate at which screening tests identify injuries in contacts is currently unknown.

Contacts of abused children with serious injuries have fractures identified on skeletal survey at significant rates. Twins are at substantially increased risk for fracture. Physical examination findings were not sensitive for fractures. (Read the full article)

Obstacles to vaccine delivery, including poverty, reduced access to medical care, and incomplete understanding of vaccine safety and importance, result in suboptimal coverage rates in some populations, allowing for disease outbreaks. Multicomponent interventions are successful in increasing immunization coverage rates.

We show that collaboration with local resources, including the county health department and a large community-based organization, effectively increases immunization coverage rates in low-income, resource-poor children. (Read the full article)