General Websites

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Home to a variety of resources, the Internet is a tremendous resource in obtaining more information on energy efficiency, best practices, and useful tools. The web sites listed below are a sampling of the vast information available.

HUD's Energy Web Page provides general information on energy efficiency including current news, a listing of initiatives, laws and regulations, and a library of information.

Toolbase by PATH, coordinated by the NAHB Research Center, is the housing industry's resource for technical information on building products, materials, new technologies, business management, and housing systems. Through many services offered by Toolbase, interested parties can search for a specific technology or browse through listings by housing performance attribute. Users can also send an email to the Toolbase Expert Hotline to request technical information and personalized attention.

Department of Energy's (DOE's) Energy Efficiency Home Page is a starting point in the search for Internet resources. This comprehensive web site provides consumer-focused information on energy topics. This page provides information for consumers, builders, designers, business, the community, and includes links to the energy toolkit.

DOE's Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Clearinghouse (EREC), which is a subdivision of the DOE, offers information and assistance to a broad audience on a wide range of topics. The site provides a multitude of information for sector energy efficiency programs such as the building and industrial sectors. This web site provides access to publications, resources, web links, and offers the opportunity to "ask an energy expert" a technical question.

DOE's Energy Information Administration provides extensive links to information related to energy efficiency. Energy-efficiency related reports, conference papers, energy efficiency data, and links to other web sites such as those dealing with energy savings, energy-efficient technology, greenhouse gas, and other topics are available through this site. The website includes energy-efficiency reports, data, energy savings links, and discussion listserv sign-up area.

DOE's Building Standards and Guidelines Program is developing compliance tools and training materials, providing information, and offering technical assistance on building energy codes. Their site contains model energy codes, code compliance materials, training information, news and contacts.

DOE's Energy Savers website shows how easy it is to reduce home energy use. It is a guide to easy, practical solutions for saving energy throughout your home, from the insulating system that surrounds it to the appliances and lights inside.

EPA's ENERGY STAR website offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions. The site offers information for the home, business, and government, as well as schools and congregations. Information includes what ENERGY STAR appliances are available, where to buy them, and general information on energy efficiency improvements.

Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security. Their site includes summaries of Alliance programs, links to Alliance Associates, press releases, and a publication list.

Energy Crossroads is Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's contribution to organizing a wide array of pointers to energy-efficiency resources on the World Wide Web. Energy Crossroads currently contains about 700 links to other Web sites. This site is a comprehensive annotated list of Internet resources on energy efficiency

The Residential Energy Services Network's (RESNET) is a national network of mortgage companies, real estate brokerages, builders, appraisers, utilities and other housing and energy professionals. The RESNET website provides a multitude of information including information on trade associations and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) industry.