Shopping for Products & ServicesHome Improvement
Featured Publications
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Saving Starts @ Home: The Inside Story on Conserving Energy
[PDF]
Whether you're buying a refrigerator, thinking about ways to reduce your home heating and cooling bills, or trying to save money on gas, the FTC has important information that can save you money in every room of your home. 10"x7", 16 pages, color.
Microsites
Facts for Consumers
- EnergyGuidance: Appliance Shopping With the EnergyGuide Label [PDF]
Explains how consumers shopping for an appliance can use EnergyGuide labels to compare the energy use of different models. Includes a sample label. 8.5"x11", 3 pages.
- Heating and Cooling Your Home [PDF]
Explains how the EnergyGuide label on home heating and cooling equipment can help you lower energy costs by selecting the most energy-efficient equipment that meets your needs and fits your budget. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Home Sweet Home Improvement
[PDF]
[en español]
Steps to finding a competent and reliable contractor for your home improvement project. Lists tip-offs to potential rip-offs. 4"x9", 16 pages, color.
- How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance
[PDF]
Read the EnergyGuide label; compare the energy use of competing models; estimate their differences in energy costs; and consider both purchase price and estimated energy use when deciding which brand and model to buy. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Knock, Knock. Who's There? Want to Buy a Home Security System? Beware of home alarm sales scams.
[PDF]
Cautions consumers about home security companies that hire traveling sales agents to go door-to-door, making unsolicited "cold calls" on homeowners. Explains how to recognize a security system scam, and offers tips if you're thinking about buying a system.
- Service Contracts [PDF]
Gives questions to ask before buying a service contract on a major appliance or car. 8.5"x11", 2 pages.
- Shopping for light bulbs? Learning about lumens is a bright idea.
[PDF]
Explains how lumens and the Lighting Facts label can help people choose the most energy-efficient bulb to meet their lighting needs, saving them money on their energy bills. 8.5"x11", 42 pages.
- Warranties
[PDF]
Explains that federal law requires that warranties be available for you to read before you buy, even when you're shopping by catalog or on the Internet. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
- Warranties for Newly Built Homes: Know Your Options [PDF]
Discusses what these warranties often cover, filing a claim, and resolving disputes between the consumer and the builder or warranty company. 8.5"x11", 4 pages.
Consumer Alerts
- After a Disaster: Repairing Your Home [PDF][en español]
- Buying a Home: It's a Big Deal [PDF]
- Defective Imported Drywall: Don't Get Nailed by Bogus Tests and Treatments [PDF]
- Good Night, Sleep Tight, and Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite... Your Wallet [PDF][en español]
- Television is Going Digital: Get the Picture [PDF]
- Thinking About a Home Improvement? [PDF]
