Word of the Day

Exchange-Traded Fund

In the wide and varied family of the thousands and thousands of funds out there, the exchange-traded fund is one of the more consumer-friendly ones.

Unlike mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, behave more like stocks. You can buy into an ETF at any time, and sell it whenever you feel like it. And like a stock, an ETF's value can rise and fall--depending on what the ETF is invested in.What do ETFs invest in? Well, they're typically linked to an index like the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500. So, if you had an ETF that trades the same companies that make up the Dow or the S&P, it will rise and fall in value pretty much the same amount as the Dow or S&P.

You can also buy ETFs that invest in other types of products, like bonds, currencies, gold or other commodities. The ETF market has grown considerably in the past few years, so there is no shortage of ETFs to invest in.

Home / Markets / Industries / Retail

Monday, June 23, 2008

Photos: Watsco Launches ACDoctor.com to Help Conserve Home Energy Use

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Comtex

COCONUT GROVE, Fla., June 23, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----Watsco, Inc. (NYSE: WSO) announced today the launch of ACDoctor.com, a new consumer-friendly website that offers educational tools to help homeowners identify energy efficient cooling systems to help save money -- and reduce negative impacts of global warming.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/acdoctor/33720/

The heating and cooling of homes accounts for nearly 56 percent of residential energy use in the United States -- totaling $66.5 billion per year! Upgrading heating and cooling systems may be the most effective way to reduce residential energy consumption over the long term, while decreasing electricity bills and potentially improving indoor air quality along the way.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, more than 57 million homes in the United States have central air conditioning systems, with 32.1 million units in the Southern region alone. Upgrading a standard 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) air conditioning unit to a 16 SEER system with a programmable thermostat can reduce cooling costs by 25 percent and up to 40 percent if a 21 SEER system is installed.

To keep consumers savvy, ACDoctor.com features energy saving calculators and tips on keeping energy bills low, energy efficiency high and improving the quality of indoor air. Users can compare HVAC systems, connect with high quality contractors and locate financial incentives to make purchases easy and affordable. With a range of brands and investment options, ACDoctor.com can help write the prescription for a greener home environment.

Visit http://www.ACDoctor.com to learn more about improving residential heating and cooling systems to be efficient, comfortable and to save money.

For more information contact Robin Duranleau at (206)270-4658 or robin.duranleau@publicis-pr.com.

About Watsco

Watsco is the largest independent distributor of air conditioning, heating and refrigeration equipment and related parts and supplies in the HVAC industry, currently operating 426 locations serving over 40,000 customers in 34 states. Watsco's strategy provides the products, support and convenience that contractors require to satisfy the needs of homeowners and businesses that depend on the comfort and energy-efficiency provided by HVAC systems. The Company's goal is to build a national network of locations that provide the finest service and product availability for HVAC contractors, assisting and supporting them as they serve the country's homeowners and businesses. Additional information about Watsco may be found on the Internet at http://www.watsco.com.

SOURCE Watsco

http://www.watsco.com

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