2011 proved to be another successful year for consumers wanting to save money and energy at home. The Energy Savers website continues to be a great resource for readers interested in learning more about energy efficiency and tips for saving money and energy at home and on the road—and ways to use renewable energy.

Here’s a look at the past year’s 10 most popular Web pages:

10. Demand (Tankless or Instantaneous) Water Heaters

Demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save you money. Here you'll find basic information about how they work, whether a demand water heater might be right for your home, and what criteria to use when selecting the right model. [More]

I spent Thanksgiving week in Arizona with my parents, who are very energy conscious although my father says “I find my thoughts are more of efficiency than saving the planet, however the results are the same.” Last year I thought he was crazy to be turning off the computer and the surge protector for the TV system (TV, DVD player, etc.) every night to reduce “vampire energy,” or standby power drains.

During a discussion on energy audits, he showed me his most recent month’s power bill. A really neat feature (if bills can have good features) is that the power company includes on the bill a small bar graph that shows the present year’s power use vs. the previous year’s use by month.* The graph shows very clearly that after an increase in energy use in January and February of this year over last year, when temperatures were slightly lower (= more heat), my parents had a HUGE decrease in the average daily kWh used over the summer months – up to a 22% savings in July, when the average temperature was over 94°! (The Phoenix area had temperatures over 114° this summer, and the daily range can be over 30°.) Their energy savings have continued into the fall, ranging from 8% to over 17%. [More]

So you’ve decided you want to drive on electricity. You’ve considered your commute, how often you could plug in your car, and whether you want a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) or all-electric vehicle (EV) . But you have one more decision to make – your electricity source. Although electricity is cleaner than petroleum once it gets to your car, not all electricity is created equal.

Greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and smog-forming emissions can come from two different sources in cars – the vehicle’s tailpipe and the production of the fuel. The total of these sources is the “lifecycle” or “well-to-wheels” emissions. When PHEVs and EVs are running on electricity, they produce no tailpipe emissions, reducing local air pollution. [More]

A couple of weeks ago the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ad Council launched a national education campaign to help consumers save money on utility bills. Videos, tips, an “energy savings IQ” quiz, and a photo gallery on Facebook—as well as videos posted on You Tube—are designed to save money by saving energy.

While this idea isn’t new to Energy Savers, the concept is gaining ground as more and more people realize how easy it is. [More]

Independence Day was a blast, and summer is in full swing with vacations and day camps and whatever else we fill our spare time with when it's warm and sunny. This week, I noticed that the cicadas (kind of like grasshoppers but louder) started singing in the trees – a sign that the first frost is supposed to be six to eight weeks away. Old wives' tales aside, I also noticed that the sun is rising just a teeny bit later than it did a month ago. Quick! Break out the sunscreen and hit the hiking trails or beach or whatever's closest to you, and squeeze in some more summer fun! While you're at it, check out the recap of what happened on Energy Savers in July: New or Notable on Energy Savers The Department of Energy is partnering with the Ad Council to show consumers how easy it is to save money by saving energy, including videos, quizzes, and quick facts. Check out the new "Saving Energy Saves You Money" tab on our Facebook page! Be sure to check out Stay Cool, Save Money for... [More]

Nearly six weeks ago I visited for the first time the paradise of Hawaii. While it’s easy for visitors to appreciate its sun-kissed beaches and warm ocean breezes, you may not realize Hawaii also is a renewable energy lover’s paradise. Sunshine and wind, especially, are in abundant supply.

The Aloha State is planning to utilize these renewable resources to achieve 70% clean energy by 2030. These are some of the most aggressive clean energy goals in the nation—and in my mind, another reason why Hawaii is such a special place. [More]