Shopping for energy efficient home appliances can be a daunting task. Afterall, for the most part appliances look the same on the outside.

In 1975, Congress passed the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, which set minimum standards of energy efficiency for many major appliances.

And then in 1992 the Environmental Protection Agency designed the Energy Star program in an effort to provide the public with reliable and accurate information on energy efficiency. The program was an attempt to reduce power consumption and greenhouse emissions by power plants.

If every household used fewer resources, the power companies wouldn’t have to produce as much power. This in turn would reduce greenhouse gases caused by the burning of fossil fuels used to generate power. Remind anyone else of trickle down economics?

What does a product need to do in order to get an Energy Star label? We have all seen the yellow tags that are required on major home appliances. This label indicates the results of testing according to the Department of Energy's standard procedures. The label lists how much energy the appliance uses, compared with similar products, and the approximate annual operating costs.

If the product has met the specific criteria for its particular category the yellow tag will have an Energy Star label on it. For example, Energy Star dishwashewrs use 10 – 50% less water and energy than standard models. In fact, for every federal dollar spent on the Energy Star program, the homeowner sees a $60 savings in energy. While the appliances may cost more initially, the energy savings make them cost efficient over time.

When we were remodeling our kitchen I have to admit that energy efficient appliances were not the top thing on my list. I was more concerned with aesthetics. I know, all you environmentalists are mentally flogging me right now. But as it turns out the dishwasher that I bought ranks the highest of any dishwasher in it's energy star rating. All Asko dishwashers lead the industry in efficiency. And after living with and using the dishwasher for over a month, I have to say that it works great and is so quiet you don't know it is even on unless you stand right next to it.

M and C Build A House made me laugh out loud with their list of Ten Reasons Shingling is Better Than Watching the Olympics

DIY Diva raves about the new power drill she just bought. As most women out there know, power tools are sized for men's hands. Makita has come out with a line of power tools that are sized smaller AND are just as powerful. No need to call them girly tools!

Jeanne, from House in Progress, shows of her newly refurbished gas fireplace. It looks so cozy.