Today's media-saturated environments bombard us with so many messages about energy, it's hard to know what to believe and how best to invest our energy dollars.

Our research has told us that New Hampshire residents are out there looking for information about tightening up their homes, buying more energy-efficient appliances, investigating renewable energy sources, and taking advantage of government financial incentives for making energy improvements.

In the process, they're running into a lot of misinformation and conflicting messages. Some have fallen prey to scams.

UNH Cooperative Extension's Energy Answers program can help.

THE EDUCATION CENTER at UNH Cooperative Extension in Manchester provides practical solutions to everyday questions for the citizens of New Hampshire. We've staffed our toll-free Info Line in Manchester with volunteers trained to answer energy-related questions or refer callers to experts and other outside resources who can.

Energy Answers aims to empower decision-making by connecting callers with the best New Hampshire-specific information from experienced energy professionals throughout the state.

We'll stress the primary importance of energy conservation and energy efficiency. For example, a lot of people don't understand the many things they can do to reduce their electric and home-heating bills that cost little or nothing.

If you're ready to move on to more extensive energy-conserving or renewable-energy projects, we can help you decide when and why it makes sense to hire an energy professional and how to find an experienced, competent service provider.

And if you have questions and concerns about climate change, we can help you understand the ways reducing your energy use helps the overall environment.

The center is staffed by professionals and intensively trained volunteers who are available to answer your questions about energy,gardens, lawns and landscapes, fruits and vegetables, pest problems, household food safety and food preservation, tree planting and care, backyard livestock and more.