But you might be surprised to learn that the savings can exceed $100 per year, according to a white paper released this week by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Even better ...

and can save you $60 to $125 dollars per bulb in energy costs over their life, compared with a traditional 60-watt incandescent. Because homes have about 50 lightbulbs, the savings can be significant.

You can find compact, stackable models, oversized appliances designed to do family-sized loads of laundry, and even all-in-one washer-dryer combos. The best ... and energy-saving cold wash options ...