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The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) Winter Fuels Outlook uses energy price projections and forecasted weather data from NOAA to predict winter heating bills in the United States. This year, EIA estimates that heating bills may be slightly higher in some regions over the six-month period from October 2010 to March 2011. Heating costs vary [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures mean that many Americans spend more time inside during the fall and winter months. While up to half of the energy used in a typical home goes towards heating and cooling, other home features like water heaters, appliances and lighting contribute to energy bills. Swapping traditional light bulbs for [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler temperatures mean that many Americans spend more time inside during the fall and winter months. While up to half of the energy used in a typical home goes towards heating and cooling, other home features like water heaters, appliances and lighting contribute to energy bills. Swapping traditional light bulbs for [...]

October 10-16, 2010 is Earth Science Week (www.earthscienceweek.org). This year’s theme is “Exploring Energy.” Energy can be classified as potential, or stored energy, and kinetic energy – the energy of motion. An example of potential energy is nuclear energy – the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom. During fusion, the sun combines the [...]

Did you know that you can look for the WaterSense label to save water, energy and money on faucets, showerheads and toilets when remodeling your bathroom? Just by purchasing WaterSense labeled products, consumers saved more than $2.5 million in utility bills and enough water fill the Empire State building 130 times in 2009. Viewer Tip: [...]

Urban areas have more buildings, roads, parking lots and sidewalks than rural areas.  These hard surfaces trap heat, raising temperatures in cities by as much as five degrees Fahrenheit.  Higher temperatures in cities – known as “heat islands” – can increase the amount of energy used for air conditioning, increase air pollution levels and raise [...]

Do you rent your home or apartment? You’re not alone – about 33 percent of U.S. residents were renters between 2006 and 2008. Taking energy-saving steps can seem challenging when you don’t own your home and cannot make major changes to your living space. But, did you know that there are easy ways to save [...]

Friday, April 30 is National Arbor Day.  Trees add beauty to our landscape, but they also provide many environmental benefits: Just one acre of forest puts out about four tons of oxygen – enough for four people for an entire year. Adding trees around your home can increase its value by up to 15 percent. One [...]

This week is National Environmental Education Week (EE Week), the nation’s largest environmental education event held each year the week before Earth Day to inspire environmental learning and stewardship among students and the public. This year’s EE Week theme is “Be Water and Energy Wise,” highlighting the water-energy connection and the importance of conserving both [...]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that only about 10 percent of cell phones are recycled. When cell phones head to the landfill, so do precious metals, copper and plastics.  Reusing or recycling these materials prevents air and water pollution, and also reduces emissions from manufacturing and processing. For every one million cell phones that [...]

Showering accounts for about 17 percent of residential indoor water use – up to 30 gallons of water per household per day. According to EPA, we use 1.2 trillion gallons of water every year in the U.S. just for showering. That’s enough water to meet the water needs of New York and New Jersey for [...]

Don’t let a drop in the outdoor temperatures mean a drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as the temperatures cool off outside, your car may use more fuel than it does during the summer months. Cold temperatures can recue tire pressure and force engines to work harder, [...]

A sure-fire sign of the holiday season is brilliant neighborhood light displays. Festive colored lights boost holiday spirit – and they boost energy bills, too. Americans use up to 40 percent more energy during the holiday season and much of that energy is attributed to decorative lights. Luckily, you don’t have to lose the lights [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Michigan residents spent 217 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: The Alliance [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Minnesota residents spent 190 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: The Alliance [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Rhode Island residents spent 237 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Georgia residents spent 257 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Wisconsin residents spent 226 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, DC residents spent 253 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: [...]

Fewer daylight hours and cooler weather often mean that we spend more time inside during fall and winter.  While heating and cooling account for more energy use than other household activities, small appliances and lights still add to home energy costs. Last year, Maryland residents spent 269 dollars on energy for home lighting. Viewer Tip: [...]