(THREAD) During a wildfire, you’ll need to change your filters more often than you would under normal air conditions, and there are a few indicators that can help you know when it’s time to replace one. wrctr.co/2RMEbpa
According to an air quality engineer & filtration expert:
"If I lived near the wildfires & didn’t find the cost prohibitive, I’d probably change a 3-month filter every month during the season. Or possibly after each major event— say if a fire gets close enough to be a big deal."
Note that wildfire smoke is a complex mixture, incorporating both:
• water vapor + volatile organic compounds (gases), which are not trapped—and the latter of which create the smoky scent
The wet particles + ones w/ gases adsorbed on them can be collected, then give off smells the next time the fan comes on
So if you feel like the air breathes easier+smells OK w/ the HVAC on but are gagging in the first few min the HVAC is on again, changing the filter could help
VISUAL CUES TO LOOK FOR:
Clogging increases the pressure differential b/w the intake & outflow sides, which causes a filter’s pleats to flatten OR its frame to buckle
Both signal that smoky air is finding a path around the clogged filter, & that it’s time to install a new one
Along w/ obvious steps like keeping windows & doors closed, we also advise shutting off bathroom fans & range hoods:
Both of these vent directly to the outside &, as a result, draw an equal volume of smoky outdoor air in through window frames & other leaky spots.
Also, consider adding a portable air purifier w/ a VOC filter
All our picks have them, & though in our tests against an extreme load of ethanol vapors we found most of them ineffective, anecdotally we can say they perform well under heavy smoke conditions wrctr.co/2ZUvMEm
Both in guide author Tim Heffernan’s apartment and in our New York test space, after running our top picks for a few hours, there was little olfactory evidence that hundreds of matches had been burned nearby. wrctr.co/2ZUvMEm
Lastly, Owen noted that the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has begun working on building-filtration guidelines specific to wildfire conditions. We’ll be following up on this as it develops.
2/ Senior Editor Caitlin McGarry explains that with the Apple event coming up on Sept. 12, “You should absolutely wait to buy a new phone—even if your current phone is on its last leg and you don’t care about having a cutting-edge device.”
3/ But what if your iPhone needs replacing *at this very moment*?
1/ We’ve found the best alternatives for carrying a clunky bag on your daily walk 🧵
2/ A running belt can stay put against your midsection and carry all your must-haves, like your ID, phone, keys, and more: https://t.co/4XNK2QYTTkwrctr.co/43NYMwF
3/ While bigger than a running belt, a fanny pack can fit all your essentials without weighing you down. Our favorite for walks through the park is the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack. nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
Apple announced four new iPhones, three new Apple Watches, and new AirPods at today’s #AppleEvent 👀
Here’s a high-level overview of what to look forward to 🧵
To kick things off, Apple introduced three new versions of the Apple Watch: The Series 8, SE, and the brand new Ultra.
Some of the Series 8’s most notable new features include vehicle crash detection capabilities, a new low power mode to help extend its battery life, and ovulation tracking through temperature sensing.
1/ There’s just nothing like picking up a good book and reading it undisturbed for hours on end 😌🧵
2/ Do you prefer reading a physical book or using an ebook reader (like a Kindle)? ⬇️
3/ We tested every competitive ebook reader available in the US, and we can say that the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids is the right choice for almost everyone (yes, even for adults).
That means it's time to plan your next trip to a national park. Here’s a list of our favorite gear for on-the-go handwashing, cleaning up, eating alfresco, and more 👇🏼 nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…
Prepping for the car ride there is just as important. Whether you’re traveling down the road or all the way to Yellowstone, you’ll need essentials for the ride there. nytimes.com/wirecutter/lis…nytimes.com/wirecutter/lis…
1/ Few things in life are as important as good sleep, and being tired all the time can impact things like your mood and eating habits.
When you’re tired, everything feels awful—we’re here to help with Sleep Week. Now until Feb. 21, we’re diving deep into all things sleep. 🧵👇🏼
2/ Yesterday we kicked off our Sleep Better Challenge— you can still sign up by texting Zzz to 917-810-3301. 📲
And later this week we’ll be sharing more about gear that’ll help you snooze better, and tips on how to build helpful habits for optimal rest.
3/ In the meantime, these are some things that help our Wirecutter staff fall (and stay) asleep. From blankets to diffusers, there’s something for everyone. 💤 nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…