With some of the warmest months on record, folks took to calling 2012 the year without a winter. But we're certainly going to have a summer. Three-quarters of the nation will experience temperatures that are higher than normal from June through August, according to the federal Climate Prediction Center. To help you beat the heat, Consumer Reports has new Ratings of window air conditioners. We also have the results of our central air reliability survey in which readers told us which systems worked for them, as well as energy-saving tips so you can run your A/C without running up your utility bill.

After two of the hottest summers on record, homeowners are now assessing their cooling needs for the coming months and budgeting ways to pay for them. Cooling accounts for nearly 20 percent of a home's utility bill, according to Energy Star. And if you have a leaky central air conditioning system or a window unit that's the wrong size for the room, you'll spend even more and get less cooling. But there are ways to save even on hot summer days.

Nearly 30 percent of the water you use in your home is flushed down the toilet, making it the biggest item on your indoor water bill. Old toilets use even more water due to leaks and other inefficiencies. So it was good news when Consumer Reports recently recommended five water misers in its toilet tests. Using only 1.28 gallons per flush, the WaterSense models performed comparably in our tough, solid-waste tests with top-scoring toilets that use 1.4 to 1.6 gallons per flush.

With five more days until the April 17 tax filing deadline, many procrastinators are scrambling to get their documents together. If you're one of them, don't forget to apply for one of the tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements that expired on December 31. Upgrades that are eligible include roofs, windows and doors, heating and air conditioning, insulation, non-solar water heaters and biomass stoves. The credits range from $50 to $300.

The Nest Learning Thermostat, part of Consumer Reports' current testing of programmable thermostats, has been hailed as one of the smartest, sleekest energy-saving gadgets on the market, if also one of the most expensive. The $250, Internet-ready device, which some have dubbed the iPhone of thermostats, can supposedly divine your heating and cooling preferences and then adjust your home's HVAC system accordingly, savings you hundreds of dollars each year. Today, its manufacturer announced several enhancements that it says will make the Nest even smarter.

Back in 1991, the notion of energy efficiency was not top of mind for most American consumers. That started to change a year later with the creation of the Energy Star labeling program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As the program celebrates its twentieth anniversary in 2012, its mission of promoting energy efficient appliances, electronics, lighting, and other consumer products is recognized by more than 80 percent of Americans. Consumer Reports joins other advocacy groups, manufacturers, and industry leaders in congratulating Energy Star on its achievements.

Approximately 7,000 ceiling fans are being recalled by Westinghouse Lighting Corp., said the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The fan and light kits come with 60-watt lightbulbs, which exceed the fixtures' wattage ratings, posing a risk of overheating, fire and electric shock to consumers.

The final 11 states and territories have closed their cash for appliance rebate programs, officially ending the program across the country. As of December 31, the two-year-old program had paid 1.7 million consumers rebates valued at $258 million and has been hailed as a “huge success” by the Department of Energy.

With the rainy season fast approaching in many parts of the country, retailers are stocking up on dehumidifiers—and possibly luring early birds with tempting offers on top-performing models. Consumer Reports latest Ratings of dehumidifiers are now available, and include five models that performed well enough in our climate-controlled labs to earn a recommendation. Frigidaire is the big winner, though with one small caveat.

Traditional water heaters supply hot water when you want it but don’t typically represent the latest in energy efficiency. Tankless water heaters are more efficient, but readers we’ve polled have complained about inconsistent temperatures—particularly the so-called “cold-water sandwich” served when cold water lingers in the pipes.

Formerly at home on the mall in Washington D.C., the next Solar Decathlon will be held across the country at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The move should guarantee that the competition has something that was in short supply last year—sun. The Department of Energy also announced the 20 collegiate teams that will compete in the 2013 decathlon including nine returning teams, 11 new teams, and four international teams.

Energy Star, the consumer product labeling program started in 1992 by the Environmental Protection Agency, has done much to raise awareness of energy efficiency in the U.S. But with some products, a kind of Lake Wobegon effect has set in over the years as the vast majority of models in a category have come to qualify for the above average distinction. Enter the Energy Star program's Most Efficient label, which launched in pilot phase last year and is expanding to eight product categories in 2012.

Indoor air can be 10 times more polluted than what you breathe outdoors so getting an air purifier may seem like a natural solution. But some of the models in Consumer Reports recent tests do little to rid a space of dust and smoke. And one air purifier we tested did practically nothing.

In the Chicago area volunteers at a Boys & Girls Club will be “painting for a purpose.” In Austin, Texas volunteers will be removing trash, tires and invasive plants from a local greenbelt. And in Boston, volunteers will be making energy-saving improvements to old homes. The efforts are all part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, which takes place this Monday.

Just as many homeowners are coping with thinner wallets, bills for those holiday indulgences are coming due. Paying them may require a little belt-tightening. One way is to slim down your energy costs. The average American household spends about $2,000 per year on energy, according to the Department of Energy—and about 45 percent of that is heating-related. There are a few simple things you can do to lower your utility bills without sacrificing comfort.