How to Make an Energy Efficient Home on a Budget

An energy efficient home is a happy home. Not only can you be proud of what you are doing for the earth, your pocketbook is happy as well. The more energy efficient your home, the more money you save. This article will show you some simple things you can do for very little money to create an energy efficient home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fiberglass insulation Duct Tape Clothes Line Compact Fluorescent light bulbs

1. Insulate your water heater and pipes. Many water heaters are located in a basement or other non-heated area. To make an energy efficient home, simply surround your water heater with sheeted fiberglass. Then, secure with duct tape. On your pipes, place pre-formed insulation around the areas in non-heated areas.

2. Hang Lined drapes on your windows and keep them closed during the colder months. An energy efficient home is one that traps heat inside the house during the winter. This can only be done with properly insulated windows. Although new windows can be expensive, lined drapes is a much cheaper alternative.

3. Use your clothes dryer during the winter when it is the coldest outside. For instance, do your laundry in the morning or at night to ease the load on your heating system. During the summer months, don't use your dryer at all. Simply hang your clothes on the line to dry for a more energy efficient home.

4. Replace every light in your house from a standard light bulb to compact fluorescent bulbs. Although these cost a bit more up front, they last about 10 times as long as regular light bulbs and use much less energy to light. They are fantastic for an energy efficient home.

Tips & Warnings

• Many stores and utility companies provide rebates for compact fluorescent bulbs. In fact, with the rebates, the bulbs may not even more expensive than traditional light bulbs.
• Use your microwave and crock pot as often as possible. They use much less energy than ovens and stoves.

[Sush56]

on 8/15/2008 Great advice! We all could use some extra savings these days.

[amylaine]

on 8/15/2008 Great advice.