With subjects like global warming and rapidly reducing fossil fuels and other threats to the environment at the forefront of the news, homeowners are opting more and more to do what they can to switch to environmentally-friendly habits. For those of you who haven’t joined in or don’t know where to begin, there are a number of things the average person can do, beginning with the house.

Starting where you live is easy, convenient and wise considering that every dollar you invest may be recovered in a higher value should you decide to sell your home. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are contributing to a safer, cleaner, more sustainable way of living on the planet. So, enlist the help of friends and family, and get started on energy and resource saving weekend projects.

One of the most useful ways to make your home eco friendly is the use of solar panels on your roof or nearby. Solar panels store the energy from the sun and turn it into usable electricity. Now sometimes you can use that electricity directly or you can sell it back to your electric company to lower your electric bill. If you can’t afford new ones, consider purchasing used solar panels. As long as it gets the job done, it doesn’t matter how old it is.

Collect rainwater. Placing rain barrels under your downspouts can collect hundreds of gallons of water, which can be used to water your plants or wash your car. Most rain barrels sold in stores have a spigot that makes it easy to get the water out.

Make your house more air-tight. You want to make sure that cold air stays in the house during summer and outside during the winter. Make sure your insulation is thick enough and installed in walls and the attic. Fill all cracks and gaps around doors and windows with caulk and weatherstripping.

Finally, replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones, at least where they are most used, can save energy because they use less electricity to create the same amount of light with gas-filled tubes rather than heated filaments.

And you don’t even have to spend any money to save energy and natural resources. Remember to turn off lights when leaving a room and conserve water by taking shorter showers or turning it off while brushing your teeth. Small changes in habit can add up.

Some of these things may not seem like a big deal, but each bit helps, and over several months or years, they will make a difference. Check online or go to your library to learn more. Very soon, you’ll be able to feel better about doing your part in protecting the environment.