Orbit is a concept washing machine for the year 2050, an entry for Electrolux Design Lab, imagined by designer Eliea Hovi. The space age design does away with soap and water altogether, cleaning clothes using sublimated dry ice at high pressure (CO2 reacts with the dirt in the clothing and breaks it down), with a levitating drum using magnetic levitation. More

It's only just the first week of July and already we've experienced heat waves across the country. You've probably heard about it from your Twitter and Facebook friends. You've probably also noticed the rise in articles about whether air conditioning is a saving grace or just plain bad. Living in the midwest I've experienced the extreme swings of heat and cold, nonetheless, I know where I stand on the issue — what about you? More

After spending another sweltering weekend in my flat I knew it was time to replace the once-trusty window AC unit that had become not-so-trustyworthy. As I began a search for a replacement I tried to figure out just how many BTUs I needed for the space, wondering whether I needed an upgrade... More

Full infographic over at Domo Blog.

The "best of" tech site, The Wirecutter, recently narrowed down a selection of window air conditioner units to two top choices, one for small rooms and the other for medium/large spaces. Both were chosen considering decibel levels during operation, controls/options, airflow, and energy use. But I believe The Wirecutter may have missed one additional model worthy for consideration, a window AC that has effectively cooled our apartment the last couple of years while offering the least intrusive design... More

Three designers, three concepts predicting what cooking technology may offer in the next decade. Future Cook by Aslıhan Tokat imagines a minimalist slab induction cooktop with touch surface display for easy recipe and resource access on the actual prep area. Nur Yıldırım's planTree is a wild looking countertop "hydroponic plant cultivator", while Lotus by Mehtap Aydın is designed to preserve food more effectively... More

When your apartment is smaller than most of your suburban friends' bedrooms, space for extra appliances can be a serious problem. There's no room on the counter for your blender or you have to keep your seldom-used game console tied up to the TV all the time. But the biggest problem with storing small appliances and devices are those too-long power cords that seem to drag behind you as you lift and carry. More

I try to avoid using the air conditioner, but I do turn it on a few times each summer. I recently acquired a new unit from a friend, only to find that even with the sides pulled out, it was about 8" shorter than my window. When I went to my local hardware store, the sales associate had a great solution… More

Thinking about a kitchen renovation, but baffled about where to splurge and where to save? Leave it to the shopping pros at Consumer Reports to break down the kitchen into the high end choices, as well as their best money saving counterparts. More

There's only three things that can divide a great relationship: money, fame, and control of the A/C. We want to know: When the weather's hot and cheap utility bills are hard to come by, who wins the war over the thermostat in your home? More