California tops the list of US states promoting energy efficiency policies, programs and practices, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont and New York, respectively, rank second through fifth on the ACEEE’s 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Minnesota and Massachusetts tie for seventh place and Wisconsin and New Jersey rate […]

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Average American families will spend $1,137 this winter to heat their homes, a 15-percent increase from last winter, according to the Energy Information Administration. The increase primarily reflects higher prices, especially for heating oil and natural gas.
But colder weather will also contribute to higher fuel use in many areas, and the specific increases will vary […]

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Nothing is so lovely as a tree—or so likely to cause disputes between otherwise happy neighbors. “My neighbor’s trees hang over my yard, fence and house. I cut them back, but then he throws the clippings back on my side,” Michael Johnson of New York City explained. “Who’s really responsible?”
Experts say few homeowners understand the […]

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When a storm knocks down a tree, homeowners tend to ask the same question: Who is responsible for the damage to my house/car/patio furniture? Carollee Cabot, an insurance specialist at the Rollins Agency Inc. in suburban New York City, said storm damage is typically covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. However, the specifics of coverage vary.

Some […]

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US households could save 687,000 tons of paper every year if they switched from paper to electronic statements, researchers say. But while most consumers express interest in the concept of green banking, three out of four consumers still receive paper statements, according to San Francisco-based Javelin Strategy & Research.
“Most consumers want to do the right […]

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