On Friday, the US Department of Energy (DOE) finalized new efficiency standards for dehumidifiers. In addition to reducing the power consumption of a major energy hog, the new standards will also ensure that dehumidifiers perform efficiently in the basements where they are most commonly used.

From smart phones to toothbrushes to power tools, rechargeable batteries let us go cordless. But rechargeable batteries must be recharged, and those chargers can waste a lot of electricity.