Keep Your Cash, Keep Your Cool, Use Less Fuel

FTC Provides Tips for Saving Money at the Gas Pump and Cooling Your Home

Memorial Day Weekend unofficially marks the start of summer, with hotter days and family road trips following close behind. Since the costs of cooling your home and filling up your car can add up, the Federal Trade Commission is offering tips to save you money.

Saving Starts @ Home: The Insider Story on Conserving Energy, available at www.ftc.gov/energysavings, offers energy conservation tips to help consumers save money in every room of the house. For example, in the attic, the FTC explains the ABCs of insulation. In the kitchen, consumers find advice on using the EnergyGuide labels available for all appliances, among other tips. At www.ftc.gov/savegas, consumers can find tips for improving fuel efficiency from bumper to bumper on a car. For example, in the trunk, the FTC advises that an extra 100 pounds of weight can reduce fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Under the hood, replacing clogged air filters can increase gas mileage up to 10 percent. Both sites are offered in Spanish also, at www.ftc.gov/ahorraenergia and www.ftc.gov/ahorregasolina.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them.