Andrew Blok, Palmetto Journalist Profile

Articles

Solar Panel Scams: 7 Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

1 week ago | cnet.com | Andrew Blok

Home Home Energy & Utilities Solar panels are expensive, but after a few years, they pay for themselves. Avoid these red flags to protect your investment. To avoid a crappy solar panel deal, watch out for these scammy sales tactics. Getty Images/Tharon Green/CNET Solar panels are a great way to invest in your home and eventually reduce your power bills.
Solar Panel Scams: 7 Tips to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Andrew Blok

Solar panels are a great way to invest in your home and eventually reduce your power bills. However, installing solar panels is an expensive investment that takes years before they will pay for themselves, even with quality products. Unfortunately, there are solar salespeople who will make misleading offers or tell you that it won't take long at all before you start to see savings.
Winter Storm Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need to Protect Your Home

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Andrew Blok

We have expert advice on all the ways to protect your home in unexpected winter weather. Winter weather isn't done with us yet: Blizzards are still striking across the United States, making roads dangerous and spelling trouble for homes facing freezing conditions. Winter storms can also be a pain for smart home technology and home energy use, which can add up to expensive headaches.
Best Solar Panels for Your Home in 2025: Efficiency and Cost

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Andrew Blok

REC and Maxeon offer two of the best solar panels that CNET experts have evaluated. Both brands offer highly efficient solar panels backed with strong production guarantees over 25 years. Maxeon panels, once exclusive to SunPower, are now available to residential and commercial installers like Solaris Renewables, Solar Technologies, Wolf River Electric and Cobalt Power Systems. These preferred partners are the only ones that support Maxeon's 40-year warranty.
Most Efficient Solar Panels for 2025: US Customers Still Waiting on Record-Setting Panel

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Andrew Blok

Solar panels are gaining popularity as a home energy source, driven by rising energy costs, generous tax incentives and a continued push for sustainability. Looking for the most efficient solar panel to provide energy to your home? Our CNET experts have found the top options with the highest efficiency ratings. Best overall: Maxeon 7The most efficient residential solar panel right now is the Maxeon 7, which dethroned the older Maxeon and Canadian Solar panels when it launched in February 2024.
Best Keurig Coffee Makers for 2025

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Andrew Blok

CNET and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Generate Key TakeawaysSometimes a whole pot of coffee in the morning is too much, and sometimes you just want your coffee to be fresh with each cup. Save yourself time and money from going to the coffee shop for that perfect cup with a Keurig coffee maker. We spent hours taste-testing pod-based coffee machines from top brands like Cuisinart and Keurig.
Beware of These 7 Solar Panel Scams Before You Buy

Jan 23, 2025 | cnet.com | Andrew Blok

Dealing with door-to-door salespeople is annoying, no matter what they're selling. But the solar industry is full of bad actors, with solar salespeople knocking at your door with misleading offers and overpromised savings. Solar salespeople might try to lure you in with promises of free solar panels and limited-time special deals. In most cases, these are just aggressive sales tactics they'll use to rush you into a contract. Solar is expensive, no matter how you shake it.
Beware of These 7 Solar Panel Scams Before You Buy

Jan 23, 2025 | flipboard.com | Andrew Blok

NowContent is now a commodity. There's so much out there, and most of it's trash. Every business owner and creator is churning out posts, articles, and newsletters. But quantity without quality is meaningless. Your content needs to actually be good. Here's how to use ChatGPT to produce content worth …
Grab My Favorite Coffee Mug Warmer for 25% Off in This Black Friday Deal

Nov 27, 2024 | cnet.com | Andrew Blok

Winter's cold nights and cool mornings make me naturally reach for a steaming mug of coffee or hot chocolate. It warms my fingers and my belly -- until the drink is half gone and I find myself cradling lukewarm porcelain. After too many of those, I decided that a warm cup that stays warm is a small joy I'm not giving up. Enter the Mr. Coffee mug warmer. Having something nearby to warm my hands through last year's cold, gray Michigan winter in a drafty old house was a huge bonus.
Winter Storm Cheat Sheet: Experts Tips On Protecting Your Home

Nov 9, 2024 | cnet.com | Andrew Blok |Tyler Lacoma

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Don't let winter threaten your home technology, power or safety: Our guide has everything you need for winter storms. RichLegg Winter weather -- especially in the colder regions of the United States -- brings blizzards, snowstorms, windstorms and other problems for homeowners.