Open your chat window for energy-saving tips from the experts

Continuing its outreach through social media, the Department of Energy has introduced live chat sessions on its website so consumers can get their questions answered by real people in real time. Part of the department's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Information Center, the chats are staffed by engineers, research librarians and other experts. "The live chat provides a more immediate response than an e-mail, and a more comfortable format than a phone, since so many people are now comfortable in a text chat environment," says Phil West, the EERE's communications director.

Questions are answered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST on weekdays by folks from Washington State University's Energy Extension program, which each year fields the agency's 30,000 phone and e-mail queries. "If the client calls and asks a question about a tankless water heater, we can get an engineer on the line—so we're doing more than just pointing you back to a website," says West.

 If live chat isn't your thing, you can also reach the Information Center by phone at 877-EERE-INFO (877-337-3463) or e-mail at eereic@ee.doe.gov. Or you can visit the DOE's Facebook or Twitter pages, share photos and videos on Flickr and YouTube or read the Energy Savers blog.

—Gian Trotta