Did you know that the average DVR/Cable Box uses half as much energy as an average full-size refrigerator and more than most TVs? I certainly did not. When you have a multi-component entertainment setup, it’s quite convenient to just leave the DVR on all the time…one less step to powering up and down. I know I’m not the only one since my Logitech Harmony software wizard asks me by default if I want to include powering the DVR on/off during the Watch TV macro. Since learning how much power it uses, I’ve answered that question with an emphatic YES.
In case you had the same worry I had initially about missing some programming, rest assured: your DVR will still record all scheduled programs and receive any updates while powered down (I can say for certain that this is the case for Time Warner digital cable subscribers and I assume any carrier who uses the Scientific Atlanta box that I have). Do the right thing.
[via lifehacker]
Consider the percentage of your time spent in bed. It’s high. Higher than the time you spend in front of your television (hopefully) or in your car. A strong case then can be made for putting some time and resources into making your bed a pleasant place to be. A comfortable mattress, a fluffy down comforter and high-quality pillows and sheets can go a long way to improving your body’s ability to rest and, in turn, improving your quality of life. But how do you rate quality when you’re shopping for bedding? Softness and comfort are highly subjective. More and more over the last two decades, thread count has been the empirical trait used to quantify the quality of bedding…the higher the thread count, the higher the quality. Unfortunately, marketers of bedding know this and use it to their advantage. HowStuffWorks has an interesting article on how thread count is determined and what it means when you’re deciding on what to buy.
According to Consumer Reports, a thread count of 200 is fine; 400 may be softer. But anything above 400 will likely only provide a higher price tag.
Really, 400 you say? Pop in to any Bed, Bath & Beyond these days are you’re unlikely to find many options below that 400 mark. Why not shoot higher, especially if it they’re the same price? Here’s Consumer Reports again:
So how are counts such as 800 or 1,200, which some manufacturers claim, even possible? How could you fit that many threads into a single inch? The short answer is you can’t. “Some manufacturers use creative math to boost thread count.” They count not just each thread, but each fiber (called plies) that make up each thread. So a single thread might be four plies twisted together; one manufacturer will call that one thread, while another manufacturer will call that four threads.
So, if you can’t count on thread count, how do you determine quality in a side-by-side comparison of bedding? What if you’re buying online and can’t actually feel them? One thing you can do, look for “Egyptian cotton”:
In the world of cotton, the length of the fiber is an indication of quality. In Egyptian cotton, the fibers — also called staples — are longer than in other types of cotton. Longer staples equal a stronger thread and more durable fabric.
Thread count is meaningless if the fibers being counted are not high-quality. Compared side by side, a high-quality cotton fabric with a 200 thread count will be superior in softness and durability to a fabric with a 400 thread count made with lower-quality fibers. Don’t forget that bedding manufacturers and retailers are competing for your money…it is in their best interest to give you an easy method of quality measurement like thread count to use in your buying decision. If you were to compare two sets of sheets, one at $70 and 400 thread count and one at $90 and 800 thread count, which one would you buy? The bedding industry is betting that you’ll spend the extra $20 for double the thread count.
Bed, Bath & Beyond got sued for misrepresenting thread count and, without admitting any wrongdoing, settled the suit on July 26, 2008, by offering refunds, gift cards and discounts.
Ultimately, the best way to select bedding is by feel. Get the best deal you can on Egyptian cotton and at least 400 thread count. If you’re buying online, go with a brand name you trust…high-end option: Frette; value option: Wamsutta. Gilt frequently has nice bedding at discount prices (click here if you need an invite).
The main thing to remember is that thread count is not a reliable measurement of quality when it comes to bedding. I liken it to using megapixel count when shopping for a digital camera. There are other, more significant factors that determine quality.
[images via Restoration Hardware]
Did you know that you can remove a broken light bulb with a potato? I can’t remember where I originally heard this, probably lifehacker, but it’s a useful tip that I’d never had an opportunity to use until this weekend. Cut the power, cut the potato in half, jam it on and turn. Worked like a charm.
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