The “Cash for Clunkers” (CARS) Program-Some Information

Chances are that if you’ve seen a car commercial in the last few weeks then you’ve heard about the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) Program. I know those commercials caught my attention on several occasions. And since my husband and I are planning on buying a new car later this year, I thought I’d do some research into the program to see if we might benefit. It turns out that our potential trade-in vehicle is already pretty fuel efficient and doesn’t qualify for the program. However, if your family is considering upgrading to a new, more fuel efficient vehicle in the next few weeks, you may want to investigate whether your car might qualify.

The CARS Program, under the purview of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), offers eligible buyers between $3,500 and $4,500 off the cost of a new vehicle when they trade in an older, less fuel efficient vehicle. More information on the program, including more detailed eligibility information, can be found through the CARS Program Web site.

While there is some question over how long this program will last, as of today, the CARS Web site says it is still operating. The Web site itself is a treasure trove of information, with a dealer locator that can help you find dealers near you that are participating in the CARS program, a list of helpful FAQs, and an interactive vehicle eligibility guide that can help you determine if your vehicle qualifies. If you need further assistance, you can also contact the CARS hotline directly at (866) CAR-7891 or TTY at (800) 424-9153.

Even if, like my family, you are unable to take advantage of the CARS Program, you still may be able to benefit from federal or state tax incentives for the purchase of an eligible hybrid or alternative fueled vehicle. More information on federal incentives for hybrid purchases can be found at FuelEconomy.gov. For state-level incentives, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center maintains an extensive listing.

Article by Amy Foster Parish, whom is a staff member with the Washington State University Extension Energy Program and answers inquiries through the EERE Information Center.

Ways to Reduce Water Used for Irrigation

Especially for home owners who have automatic sprinkler systems, it’s easy to forget that regular summer watering uses a tremendous amount of water and can contribute to higher than necessary water bills.

Consider these easy tips for saving money and water when caring for your lawn:

1. Water only when your lawn needs it. The rule of thumb is that your lawn needs one inch of water per week. If you walk across your lawn and leave footprints, it’s time to water. Or you can use a screwdriver as a probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don’t water.
2. Water during the coolest parts of the day. Mornings are best to prevent fungus growth and minimize evaporation.
3. Water slowly and deeply to avoid runoff and allow for better absorption.This will help your lawn’s roots learn to grow down into the soil, improving their strength and health. It will also prevent evaporation.
4. Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
5. Consider using a soaker hose, which waters closer to the ground and plant roots and reduces evaporation.
6. Double check that your sprinkler heads aren’t spraying onto your sidewalk or driveway. It’s easy for a sprinkler head to get knocked loose or jolted by lawnmowers or summer recreation lawn activities.
7. Check for and fix leaks and replace broken heads, which can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
8. Install a rain-shutoff device, soil moisture sensor, or humidity sensor in your sprinkler system to avoid watering when it’s not needed.
9. Check your sprinkler system’s water pressure and use a flow and pressure gauge, which can save hundreds of gallons of water.
10. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants, which will help keep the soil moist and prevent evaporation.
11. Set your lawnmower blades one notch higher, which keeps the grass blades longer, provides shade to the roots, prevents greater evaporation, and inhibits weed growth.
12. If an area needs a little extra water, don’t run your sprinkler system longer. Try watering that section by hand.

While these tips will help you save money and water, it’s also important to know your local municipality’s watering restrictions. Many municipality web sites also include other helpful information and tips.

Article by Chris Stewart, whom is a senior communicator at DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which assists EERE in providing technical content for many of its Web sites.