Airline Changes

Air Canada has announced a couple changes many of us will be interested in.

First it's eliminating the charge for a second bag of checked luggage, starting next Tuesday.

Many airlines put in that charge when fuel prices skyrocketed.

The reason they did that was to cut down on weight which saves them fuel.

It's sort of like the difference between driving a car with a full trunk or an empty trunk. Now that fuel is cheaper, you can bring on the second bag without charge, starting next Tuesday. Air Canada is the first major North American airline to do that.

The rules for a second bag are changing too.

Under the current system fees are variable depending on how much a bag exceeds the limits.

Starting October 14th -- Air Canada will impose a flat rate $75 dollar fee in North America, $100 on international flights for oversize or overweight bags. A good tip before you travel: measure and weigh your bags before you go to the airport.

And finally we are seeing an end to fuel surcharges.

Consumers have long complained about the fact the price you see in advertising is not the price you pay because of additional fees like fuel surcharges. Air Canada is now including the fuel surcharge -- if any-- in advertised prices so the price you see will be closer to the price you actually pay.

But you still have to add on taxes, airport fees etc just not a fuel surcharge. West Jet has dropped its fuel surcharges as well.

Energy Star Dims

The energy star program has saved North Americans more than US$16 billion in energy costs last year alone according to government statistics. But you may not be getting the savings Energy Star promises.

From dishwashers and washing machines to computers and televisions, more than 50 different types of products are covered under the Energy Star program. But Consumer Reports' tests show the Energy Star doesn't always signal the biggest energy or money savings.

"We found problems with the Energy Star program and its test protocol that can result in manufacturers labeling their products more energy efficient than they are when you really use them," explained Consumer Reports' Kim Kleman.

Consumer Reports' tests found big discrepancies with two newer French-door refrigerators.

Samsung says one of its refrigerators, which qualifies for an Energy star, consumes an estimated 540 kilowatt-hours per year. But Consumer Reports' tests, which are more demanding than Energy Star, and aim to better reflect real life use, show the refrigerator uses 890 kilowatt-hours per year.

Consumer Reports says an LG refrigerator uses twice as much power as the 547 KW estimate. That's because it's tested with the icemaker off which shuts off part of the cooling system.

"If it has an Energy Star it infers that it's efficient. But that's only true if the number is real. So I don't think the consumer can trust the number. I don't trust any of the numbers I've seen, they don't mean anything to me because it just depends on how much you use the fridge," said Jack McIver of McIver's Appliances.

Some Energy Star numbers are more accurate. Maytag says this newer French-door refrigerator uses an estimated 547 kilowatt- hours per year. Consumer Reports tests show 565 kilowatt-hours per year.

"Federal officials have acknowledged to us that test procedures have not kept pace with technology. We think that needs to change," said Kleman.

But despite the problems, Consumer Reports says the Energy Star can still be a useful first check.

"And if the product you want has an energy guide, compare the money savings on that label, too," said Kleman.

Consumer Reports also recommends that governments implement independent verification of Energy Star test results. Right now those tests are done by manufacturers.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen