energy efficiency

Nobody likes paying the IRS, and we all wish there were just a few more deductions we could swing without arousing the taxman's ire. And there are: Here are a few deductions that, while they might seem to be a little out of bounds, are totally legal.

With less than one week until winter is officially over, Americans are celebrating the end of the season with an extra "spring" in their steps. What's got them feeling so happy? Two words: fatter wallets, thanks to warmer temperatures and lower heating costs.

They say good things come to those who wait. They also say he who hesitates is lost. But when it comes to half a dozen juicy tax breaks, it's the second "they" you should listen to, because he who waits until Jan. 1, 2012, to take advantage of them will be out of luck.

If all goes as planned, the phase out of incandescent light bulbs will begin next year and continue through 2014, when light bulb makers hope we'll have adopted LED bulbs as our new favorite light source. But manufactures have to overcome a few obstacles before consumers will be ready to make the switch.

The Empire State Building is perhaps best remembered as the site of King Kong's last stand, but in real life, the monkey on the building's back wasn't a giant gorilla -- it was a giant electricity bill. But that was before one of the most remarkable green renovations ever undertaken.

The Easy-Bake Oven is falling victim to the fight against global warming. The incandescent light bulbs that heat the toy ovens are being phased out in 2012 in favor of energy-efficient compact fluorescents. But precisely because they are energy efficient, they don't get hot enough to bake a cookie.

The relationship between the Obama Administration and Americans' homes has been decidedly hit and miss. The White House keeps putting out programs designed to help Americans keep their homes, but none have proven effective in anywhere near the numbers it'll take to cure what ails the housing...

It's hard to make huge changes in your spending habits all at once. To reach your new year's resolution to manage your finances better, try small steps instead. Financial experts offer 10 easy suggestions that could help you spend less and save more in 2011.

Powering a home costs the average U.S. household $2,160 a year. While heating and cooling a home are the primary energy guzzlers, appliances also consume their fair share. Of course, there are ways to keep your energy usage -- and your monthly bill -- skyrocketing each winter. Using efficient...

Cutting energy use in buildings -- both commercial and residential -- is a hot market for a growing number of tech companies, from giants such as GE and Intel to Silicon Valley startups. And the federal government is an eager booster.