TheMoneyPit

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 5:30PM 3/29/2010
    What does a gas powered clock radio (that might put you to sleep permanently with carbon monoxide poisoning), and a room air cleaner that consists of a feather duster and fly strips taped to the front of a space heater, have in common? They both are now the proud recipients of the Energy Star...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 4:15PM 3/02/2010
    Running out of space to expand and improve your home? Then look up. Attic space is the newest frontier in home improvement, and according to a recent survey by the Home Improvement Research Institute, one in five respondents said they planned to finish an attic room in the next few months.

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 10:00AM 2/17/2010
    If you live in an older home and are planning any home remodeling projects, you might need to add some padding to your budget. This spring a new EPA requirement will mandate that special lead testing, work practices -- and extra expenses are also part of any home improvements done to homes built...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 4:00PM 1/26/2010
    As the federal government's Cash for Appliance Clunkers program begins, consumers may find themselves in a stew of confusion over when clunker rebates are available, how much they'll get and from where. The rebate clock is already ticking in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey,...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 3:30PM 1/14/2010
    This month, the EPA wants you to think about the air you breathe and take action against a health threat you probably didn't know existed: Radon gas. Along with the many useful and sometimes useless "events" that are named by government agencies, interests groups and greeting card companies,...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 1:00PM 1/06/2010
    If you have a clunker of an appliance you'd like to replace in this year, the good news is that the government is offering an attractive rebate that can pay you up to $250 for upgrading to a more efficient model. But the bad news is that with this latest version of "Cash for Clunkers" incentives,...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 3:00PM 1/05/2010
    Consumer Reports latest tests on washers show price drops of as much as 33% compared with a year ago. Along with the federally funded "Cash for Clunkers" rebates of up to $250 for qualifying models, consumers are benefiting from more energy and water efficient models that save money in the long...

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 2:00PM 12/16/2009
    Santa's reindeer may have a little trouble finding good little boys and girls' homes this Christmas due to a reported nationwide shortage of holiday lights. While the economy slowly rebounds, holiday light displays are selling out at home centers and discount retailers around the country.

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 12:30PM 12/16/2009
    Adding an entertaining dimension to the appeal of energy-saving home improvements and building on the promise of new tax incentives for homeowners, President Barack Obama termed insulation "a sexy subject" during a Home Depot visit in Alexandria, Va., on Tuesday. "Here's what's sexy about it....

    By Tom Kraeutler

    | 3:00PM 11/24/2009
    A study of 51 homes released this week by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found a strong association between homes with Chinese drywall and levels corrosive hydrogen sulfide, which gives off a smell similar to rotten eggs. It was the largest investigation ever taken on by the...