From climate change to energy efficiency to zombie cells, 2013 was an exciting year for energy and the Energy Department. Look back at the year that was with the Top 10 blog posts from Energy.gov:

1. Solar, Wind, Hydropower: Home Renewable Energy Installations
   Homeowners ready to take a major step forward in their home energy-saving strategy could learn more about solar power, wind turbines, and microhydropower systems. An Earth Day Google+ Hangout also brought together a number of experts to answer questions about bringing renewable energy systems to the home.
2. Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Energy Audits
   A home energy audit is the first step to saving energy and money. Home energy audits help homeowners learn where energy is being wasted and how to set priorities for efficiency upgrades. Our mega-infographic lets you know what to expect and what you’ll learn from a home energy audit.
3. Climate Change: Effects on Our Energy
   A Department of Energy report detailed the current and future impacts of climate change on the U.S. energy sector. An interactive map helps you learn more about where impacts are already being felt.
4. Top 6 Things You Know Didn’t Know About Solar Energy
   Did you know that the first solar cell was developed in 1954? Learn more about the earth’s most abundant energy resource in one of our popular Top Things posts.
5. New Infographic and Projects to Keep Your Energy Bills Out of Hot Water
   Heating water typically accounts for 14-18 percent of a homeowner’s utility bill, so understanding your water heater can lead to significant savings. Learn about proper maintenance, available tax credits, and the many types of water heaters in our mega-infographic.
6. Letter from Secretary Steven Chu to Energy Department Employees
   Former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announces his decisions not to serve a second term and highlights the Department’s accomplishments over the last four years in a letter to employees.
7. Resolve to Save Energy This Year
   Whether it’s choosing more efficient lightbulbs or turning off electronic devices when not in use, simple choices can add up to big savings. Learn more about what you can do to save energy and money in this blog post and infographic.
8. Zombie Replicants to Outperform the Living
   Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico are coating living cells with a silica solution to create a long-lasting zombie cell that can outlive and in some cases outperform its living counterpart.
9. The eGallon: How Much Cheaper Is It to Drive on Electricity?
   Our eGallon metric helps provide a quick and simple way to show drivers how much they can save on fuel by using electricity rather than gasoline to power their cars. Our interactive tool lets drivers compare costs nationwide and across all 50 states.
10. Super Bowl City Leads on Energy Efficient Forefront
    New Orleans’ Mercedes Benz Superdome uses more than 26,000 LED lights to create an innovative exterior display that only uses an amount of electricity equivalent to that used to power a small home. While the 2013 Super Bowl will be remembered for a 34-minute partial blackout caused by a faulty relay device, the LED bulbs that power the outdoor display can last for years before needing to be replaced.