Which energy sources does your state use?

Which state leads the nation in coal production? Which has the lowest total energy consumption? The State Energy Profiles page on the U.S. Energy Information Administration Web site has all that data and much more. We're not suggesting that these energy-use profiles are must-reads, but the site's a worthwhile visit, and at the very least, you'll be prepared for an appearance on Jeopardy—"I'll take U.S. Facts & Figures' for $1,200, Alex"—or have some inane trivia on hand for the next cocktail party you attend.

Using the site's interactive map lets you toggle between energy sources, providing a national perspective on production of oil, coal, and renewables. Or you can click on an individual state to drill down into vast energy data, including ongoing developments. Residents of New Jersey (shown), for example, will learn about the 96 wind turbines that might be erected off the coast of Cape May and Atlantic counties.

—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: See our Energy Saving & Green Living guide for tips on how to cut your energy use. And read "Uncover the Source of Your Power" to learn what sources are used to produce electricity where you live.

30 percent

Number of people who said flare-ups were a frequent grilling problem, according to a nationally representative telephone survey of 1,008 adults conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Some flaring is normal when grilling, especially when cooking fatty foods.

To avoid flare-ups, wipe off excess marinade (especially ones made with sweeteners like brown sugar and honey); don't overload the grill; and keep some cooking space empty so that when flare-ups do occur, you can move food to another area of the grill.

Use our advice to avoid the five most common grilling mistakes, get your grill ready for outdoor-cooking season, and check out these easy, delicious grilling recipes.

If you're in the market for a new gas grill, check out our newly updated ratings of gas grills (available to subscribers) and use our free buyer's guide to grills.

—Kimberly Janeway

Essential information: Gas grills remain the most common type of grill—seven out of 10 respondents own one, according to our survey—but about one-quarter of respondents also have a charcoal grill. If you're a charcoal griller, read "BBQ 101: Give Food That Smoky Flavor."

The Consumer Reports Lawn & Garden Guide.

Even if your budget doesn't allow for a cutting-edge electric mower or the services of a professional lawn-care service, don't despair. Our newly revamped Lawn & Garden Guide's articles, videos, and interactives are chock-full of tricks that will save you money, whether you're just fixing a small patch of lawn or revamping acres of outdoor spaces as a newly sprouted ruralpolitan.

Sub-$500 yard makeovers. Yards can be transformed by layering low-cost (and different height) plants, laying down mulch, using vine-covered lattice sections and installing low-voltage outdoor lighting. See "10 Questions for… landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy" for more ways to expand your inner gardener and outdoor vistas.

Low-cost landscaping. Savvy planning, soil testing (see this video on our tests of soil-test kits), mulching, and watering save time and money spent on fertilizers. Choosing the grass that grows best in your area lowers cost of fertilizer and pesticides. Cooperative extension services from your local university can prove a wealth of good gardening information; you can find state-by-state listings here.

Prudent planting and pruning. These step-by-step illustrated instructions show how proper planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers can reduce the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides while helping plants survive diseases and other stresses. Savvy pruning of trees, shrubs and hedges increases the quality and quantity of flowers or fruits a tree produces, helps hedges provide right degree of denseness to ensure privacy, and prevents damage from winter storms.

Don't ignore little-known dangers. If you're not a regular gardener, read why alcohol and mowers don't mix and how to avoid the perils of sun exposure, excessive noise, carpal tunnel syndrome, herbicides, and poison ivy.

Essential information: Find ratings of the best tools for yard and garden work in our Lawn & Garden section. Discuss your bests planting and pruning practices on our lawn and garden forum.

Thinking of saving money by doing more of your own landscaping? We’re added new ratings of some low-priced, high-performing lawn mowers and lawn tractors to the collection of money- and labor-saving gardening tips and tricks in our Lawn & Garden Guide.

While cordless electric lawn mowers are a good (and green) choice for smaller lawns, new electric self-propelled mowers and lawn tractors we tested gave mixed results. But a $700 rear-engine compact lawn mower—and a design change to zero-turn radius lawn mowers­—could prove of interest to homeowners with larger lawns. Highlights of our tests follow; ratings of all models are available to subscribers.

Electric mowers worth considering. Easy-to-use, greener and good-performing electric push mowers like the Toro 20360, $420, and Black & Decker CM1936, $420, and the corded Black & Decker MM875, $270, are a sensible option for small lawns and might also qualify for Earth Day mower-exchange programs. Other models we tested included the Black & Decker CM1836, Black & Decker CMM1200, Black & Decker MM1800, Craftsman 37048, Earthwise 50120, Earthwise 60120, Neuton CE6.4, Ryobi RY14110, Toro 20360, and Worx WG780.

New forms don’t always boost function. The first self-propelled electric mower we tested, the Ryobi RY14110, $400, trailed the electric push models in performance. And while the Ariens AMP 916002 electric lawn tractor, $3,400, is smaller, greener (and pricier) than gas-powered lawn tractors, a single charge didn’t suffice to mow an entire acre.

A retro option for midsized lawns. The rear-engine compact lawn tractor is making a comeback, with the 26-inch-wide Weed Easter One 960220009, $700, is worth a look if your lawn measures under an acre (we also tested the Ariens AMP 916002 and Craftsman 28034 in this category). Among walk-behind mowers, gas-powered push models like the Lawn Boy 10640, $240, the Cub Cadet 11A-18MCm, $240 and the Husqvarna 6012P, $200 and the  self-propelled Toro Recycler 20332, 20330 and 20333 models that range from $300 to $420 were good performers.

Other gas-powered push mowers we tested included the Bolens 11A-414A, Craftsman 38903, Craftsman 38909, Craftsman 38911, Cub Cadet 11A-18MC, Husqvarna 6021P, Lawn-Boy 10640, Troy-Bilt TB110 11A-A26M, Yard Machines 11A-414E. Tested gas-powered self-propelled models included, in alphabetical order, the Ariens BR21SP/911152, Brute BTXP22675OHW, Brute BTXPV22700E, Craftsman 37108, Craftsman 37435, Craftsman 37454, Craftsman 37624, Craftsman 37639, Craftsman 37654, Craftsman 37659, Cub Cadet 12A18MC, Cub Cadet 12AE18M, Honda HRR216K3TDA, Honda HRR216K3VXA, Honda HRR216K5VKA, Honda HRX2172HXA, Honda HRX2172VKA. Husqvarna XT721F, John Deere JS26, John Deere JS46, Lawn-Boy 10641, Snapper SPV21675E, Snapper SPV22675HW, Toro Recycler 20330, Toro Recycler 20332, Toro Recycler 20333, Toro Super Bagger 20194, Toro Super Recycler 20092, Troy-Bilt TB230 12AVB26M, Troy-Bilt TB340 XP,12AI869F, and Yard-Man 12A18M7

Top tractors and an innovative zero-turn model. We found six good performing lawn tractors (the Craftsman 28828 and 28724, the Cub Cadet LTX1045 and LTX1040, and John Deere LA115 and LA105) that provided excellent performance for under $2,000. Our top zero-turn radius mowers ranged from $2,600 to $3,000, but what really caught our eye was the Cub Cadet Z Force S 48 17AI5BHB, $4000, which adds tractor-like front wheel steering that allows for improved steering control on slopes. 

Other lawn tractors tested included, in alphabetical order, the Bolens 317737, Craftsman 27690, Craftsman 28033, Craftsman 28934, Craftsman 28947, Craftsman Revolution 28933, Cub Cadet LT1050 13RQ11CP, Husqvarna LS 2346XLS, Husqvarna YTH2348, Husqvarna YTH23V42LS, John Deere LA145, John Deere X300, John Deere X304, Snapper LT125, Snapper LT130, Troy-Bilt Bronco 13AX78KS, and Troy-Bilt Horse 13AX79KT. Zero-turn radius mowers included the Ariens Zoom 42 915141, Craftsman ZTS 6000 28992, Cub Cadet RZT 50 17A12ACP, Husqvarna Z4828, John Deere Z225, Snapper 150Z, Toro Z4200, Toro Z5035 74376, and Troy-Bilt Colt 17AE2ACG.

Beware these bargain-priced models. The $290 Troy-Bilt TB230 12AVB26M self-propelled lawn mower and Bolens 317737 tractor, $860, posted low ratings in our tests.

Essential information: Regular maintenance (especially mower-deck cleaning and regular blade sharpening) can boost performance and longevity of any lawn mower. You can share your own performance tips and ratings of specific models in our mowers, tractors, and lawns forum.

We continue to stress choosing a clothesline over your dryer, and some new clothesline improvements prove how much more versatile and handy they are than the average dryer. The Easy Fold Away Portable Laundry Hanger by Greenway Home Products provides all of the great qualities in a clothesline, with an adaptable twist. This clothesline, which measures 55” high and weighs 4.5lbs, is the ideal home product that you can take anywhere. Perfect for family camping trips, it folds up into a small size and comes with a carrying bag. Even if you aren’t an avid traveler, it can be set up anywhere in the yard and moved, even inside in weary weather. I like this item because it can be toted anywhere, saving money, energy, and some clothes along the way!  

Q. Do you have an email newsletter?

A. Great question. At the present time, I don’t have an email newsletter. I use the blog (http://www.drlaundryblog.com) kind of as a newsletter by posting responses to inquiries 2-3 times weekly and writing about special topics.

Thanks for the idea and let me know if you have any specific questions that I haven’t answered.

If you need a new refrigerator and are planning to take advantage of
the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, also
called cash for clunkers for appliances or cash for appliances, use the advice below:

States offering rebates for refrigerators: Rebates are available in all states and territories except for Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, and Wyoming. Use our interactive map to find a link to the cash for appliances Web site in your state.

Rebate amounts: As with every appliance that's part of the cash for appliances program, rebates vary by state. Residents in California and New York will get back $75 on refrigerators, for example, while those in Texas will receive $240. Many states will increase rebates for residents who recycle their old unit.

Repair-or-replace advice: If your refrigerator is more than 15 years old, a new, efficient model could save you around $75 a year on utility bills, in addition to the rebate. But it probably doesn't make sense to repair a machine that's more than eight years old, according to our "Repair or Replace It?" data.

Buying advice: See our free buyer's guide to refrigerators for help on finding the right model for your home.

Models to consider: The following Energy Star-qualified models (listed in alphabetical order) earned solid marks in our tests, which measure not only efficiency but also temperature performance, noise, and convenience. (Some states are requiring that refrigerators exceed even Energy Star criteria.) Check out our complete ratings of and brand-reliability data for refrigerators (available to subscribers).
 

Bottom-freezers
Amana ABB2221FE[W], Amana AFD2535DE[W], Jenn-Air
JFC2290VE[P], Kenmore Elite 7759[2], Maytag MFT2771WE[W], Samsung
RFG298AA [WP], Samsung RF266AB[WP], Whirlpool Gold GX5FHTXV[Q]

Built-ins
Electrolux Icon E42BS75EP[S], Jenn-Air JS42PPDUDB[SS], KitchenAid KBFC42F[SS], Liebherr CS2062

Side-by-sides
Frigidaire FRS6HF55K[W], GE GSH25JFX[WW], Kenmore Cold
Spot 5942[2], Maytag MSD2550VE, Samsung RS275AC[WP], Whirlpool Gold
GC3SHAXV[Q], Whirlpool Gold GS5VHAXW[Q]

Top-freezers
Frigidaire Professional Gallery FPHI2187K[F], Kenmore 7930[2], Kenmore 7997[2], LG LTC22350[SW], Maytag M1TXEMMW[W], Whirlpool Gold G9RXXFMW[Q]

—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Stay on top of the rebate news on our cash for appliances hub and don't shop for a new refrigerator without reading about the best places to buy appliances.

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs are touted as big money savers. But since they cost so much more than incandescent bulbs, can I really save money by switching to CFLs?

In a world filled with greenwashing, CFLs, like those featured in our latest review of compact fluorescent lightbulbs, are among the energy-saving products that will actually save you some real money.

The savings from CFLs can really stack up.

By replacing a 60-watt incandescent bulb—the most common household bulb—with a spiral-type 13-watt CFL that produces an equivalent amount of light, you could save more than $57 over the life of the CFL. Your savings will vary depending on the cost of the 13-watt CFL and your electricity rate. These calculations are based on the national average rate for electricity, which now stands at about 11.5 cents per kilowatt hour and ranges from a low of 7 cents in North Dakota to a high of more than 26 cents in Hawaii.

Several of the best Energy Star-qualified spiral CFLs we tested cost $1.50 each, and we found they last about 10,000 hours. An incandescent bulb costs 50 cents and lasts about 1,000 hours. That means you'd need to use 10 incandescents for every CFL. Based on those prices and using 11.5 cents per kWh, here's how we arrived at the per-bulb savings:

$16.45 to buy and operate a CFL for 10,000 hours:
13 watts x 10,000 hours = 130 kWh
130 kWh x 11.5 cents per kWh of electricity = $14.95
$14.95 + $1.50 for bulb = $16.45

$74 to buy and operate 10 60-watt Incandescent bulbs for 10,000 hours
60 watts x 10,000 hours = 600 kWh
600 kWh x 11.5 cents per kWh = $69
$69 + $5 for 10 bulbs = $74

Savings: $74-$16.45 = $57.55

Based on the current national average electricity price, higher-wattage bulbs will cost $1.15 more to operate for every additional watt. So a 19-watt CFL will cost $21.85 over its life, and 10 75-watt incandescents will cost $86.25. (These figures don't include cost of bulbs.)

If a bulb doesn't last as long as its manufacturer claims, you'll obviously need to replace it more frequently, which will eat into your savings. So we recommend you buy only Energy Star-qualified bulbs, which are supposed to meet the U.S. Department of Energy's higher standards. Also remember that the longer a bulb lasts, the less frequently you'll have to replace it.

To find the right type and best bulbs for your uses at home, use our how to choose advice and refer to our ratings of spiral, indoor and outdoor flood/reflector, and porch/post covered CFLs (available to subscribers).

—Kimberly Janeway

The GAO audit revealed issues with Energy Star.

A gas-powered alarm clock. A geothermal heat pump more efficient than anything on the market. A fictional computer monitor approved within 30 minutes of submission.

These and other products are on a list of 15 bogus products detailed in the Government Accountability Office audit, "Energy Star Program: Covert Testing Shows the Energy Star Program Certification Process Is Vulnerable to Fraud and Abuse." The audit states, "GAO's investigation shows that Energy Star is for the most part a self-certification program vulnerable to fraud and abuse."

Read "Audit Finds Vulnerability of Energy Star Program" in today's New York Times, which references our October 2008 investigative report, "Energy Star Has Lost Some Luster," for more details on the audit.

We'll cover more details on the GAO audit and the Energy Department's plans to increase Energy Star enforcement, which we recently covered in "DOE to Step Up Energy-Use Checks on Energy Star-Qualified Appliances." "Consumers have long trusted the Energy Star brand for products that
will save them energy and save them money," said Cathy Zoi, the
Department of Energy's assistant secretary for energy efficiency and
renewable energy, in a press release last week. "The steps we're taking now will further strengthen and improve the
program, building on the results that consumers have come to expect."

Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports and the Home & Garden blog, recognizes that the Energy Star program is a good one in concept and can be of help to consumers. The organization has advocated for updated energy-use testing and better oversight of Energy Star to prevent that the types of issues found in the GAO audit.

We hope that the GAO audit and other findings will motivate the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which administer Energy Star, to improve the program. What's more, Consumer Reports will continue to advise the Energy Department about appropriate revisions to its energy-use test procedures.

—Ed Perratore

Just another reminder that Earth Hour is taking place around the globe, tomorrow at 8:30 pm! Visit the website earthhour.org to see the official video, pictures, and stories from around the globe. You can even add and join groups or public community events. Remember to click off your lights tomorrow night!