David Kates is a reporter and blogger for AlternativeEnergy.com.

Compact florescent light bulbs have garnered cries of disgust from consumers since they were introduced thirty years ago. These bulbs were too big for some lamps, expensive ($20 or more), flickered and buzzed, and had poor light quality (a cold dimness). But technology has caught up with customer demands for energy-efficient bulbs that shine warm, bright light similar to standard incandescent bulbs.

If you want to lower utility bills and limit your use of polluting energy sources, replacing your home refrigerator is a wise choice. Refrigerators and freezers account for nearly 17 percent of a home's energy use, more than any other appliance.

Technological advances for clothes washers in the last decade have led to considerable water and electricity savings.Efficient washers can cut utility bills by $50 and use 7,000 gallons less water per year. This is more than 40 percent less energy and 55 percent less water than conventional washers. Throughout the eleven-year expected life of the unit, enough water is saved to provide six people with drinking water for their entire lives.

So you want to install solar panels on your home. You're tired for forking over big bucks to the electric, gas and oil companies. You're starting to think that global warming from greenhouse gases (emitted by power plants and vehicles) may be more reality than sci fi movie plot. You're progressive, darn it, and proud of it. Whatever you're reasoning, you want to go solar. So where do you begin?

You've probably been complaining lately about the freezing rain, piles of snow, and cold, whipping wind. It's been hard to keep your home or business warm this winter, and the heating bills have been shockingly high with the record oil and natural gas prices.