Having an energy-efficient house is more important than ever. By reducing the amount of energy you use, you can both save money and help the planet. And you can make that happen by only making a few easy changes that will give you a more energy-efficient house.

The first thing that you can do to get an energy-efficient house is to switch all your light bulbs over to fluorescent. Although you’ve probably done it for some of the light in your house, it really will make a difference if you switch all of them. Fluorescent bulbs have improved a lot over the last few years, and you now have a lot more options, including dimmable lights and lights that come with a standard outside bulb cover. And although fluorescent bulbs are more expensive than incandescent ones, they last many times longer than traditional bulbs, making them an easy, energy-efficient choice.

To have an even more energy efficient house, turn down your water heater. Most people don’t realize this, but you can adjust the heat setting on your water heater. The way you can tell if yor hot water heater needs to be turned down is if you can get your tap water so hot that it will scald you. This will save you money and help you be more energy efficient by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat the water tank.

An easy way to have an energy efficient house that requires almost no effort from you is to get a rain barrel. A rain barrel, when places under your downspout, will collect all the rainwater and store it. Then, instead of having to use water and power using the hose to water your garden, you use the water from the barrel. Another energy efficient house tip is to use the water from your dehumidifier to water your house plants instead of pouring the water down the drain.

A simple way to have a more energy efficient house is something that most of us rarely do. If you unplug you larger applicance, like your TVs, when they’re not being used, you can eliminate the waste of power that happens when they are plugged in but not turned on. Of course, you can’t unplug your fridge or stove easily, but with most houses now having multiple TVs, even that can make a difference.

When you’re ready for the next step to having an energy efficient house, then look into making your own power using renewable energy, such as solar panels or a windmill. In the past, it was way too expensive for the average homeowner to be able to afford, but you can now build your own renewable energy source so you can have the most energy-efficient house possible starting at less than $200. Discover just how easy it is to have an energy efficient house with Home Solar Tips

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