"Clunker" typically refers to cars that are more jalopy then gem. Today, the term has taken on a positive meaning, as Congress is considering a "Cash for Clunkers" program in which consumers would get up to $4,500 in cash for trading in their gas guzzlers for a car that gets better mileage.

Appliances can be clunkers too, and representatives Jane Harman, a Democrat from California, Mike Rogers, a Michigan Republican, have introduced legislation aimed at encouraging Americans to replace their energy-hog appliances with new, higher-efficiency models. "Removing 'clunkers' from circulation will go a long way toward cutting energy consumption and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. This legislation—the product of extensive discussions between leading environmental groups, manufacturers, and retailers—will result in massive savings," Harman said earlier this week.

The bipartisan legislation, included in the discussion draft of the House's clean-energy bill, would require participating retailers to give customers a discount on a new-appliance purchases when they turn in their old appliances.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter

Essential information: Read our investigative report on the federal government's Energy Star program and learn how Consumer Reports is one of many parties hoping to make appliances more efficient. Even if there are appliances are old, some of our readers remain attached to their trusty gear.