The federal government generally isn't typically known for its ability to make things simpler. Indeed, bureaucracy and streamlining seem oxymoronic terms.

So while its new Green Homes site is far from perfect, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deserves some kudos for making it easier for you to find information from the government on a wide range of green subjects. As someone who's spent countless hours surfing various federal sites for details for stories like "Cut Your Energy Bills" and others on our Energy Saving & Green Living guide, Green Homes is a welcome step in the right direction.

Green Homes targets the nation's 128 million households and brings together a lot of the same information from the EPA's main site and other federal agencies and it's organized around an interactive room-by-room navigational tool. Click on the kitchen, for example, and you'll find specifics on energy-efficient appliances and formaldehyde-free cabinets as well as links to related issues like water filtration, pest management, and mold.

The Top Green Home Terms glossary is a nice feature, allowing you to bone up on eco-friendly lingo like weatherization and learn the difference between, for instance, insulating concrete forms and structural insulated panels.

Green Homes isn't perfect—the interface is a bit cumbersome, and the repackaging of information results in some redundancies. But it's a lot more user friendly than the EPA's main site, which could make it easier for you to cut your energy use and adopt some green practices.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Get advice on a range of appliances and home systems and products by using our room-by-room Home Improvement Guide interactive. And if you're in the If you're in the market for new energy-efficient appliances or heating and cooling equipment, get up to speed on the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, aka cash for clunkers for appliances.