Jeff Somers is a freelancer who has been writing about writing, books, personal finance, and home maintenance since 2012. When not writing, Jeff spends his free time fixing up his old house. He has ...

Heating water is one of the most energy-consuming and costly household tasks. According to the Department of Energy, it makes up roughly 18% of a standard home's monthly energy budget. And if you use ...

Water heaters tend to use a large amount of energy in the home. You can take measures to trim down your energy usage, such as taking a shorter shower or washing your ...

Solar energy has been around for a long time now, which means it's become much more accessible to normal homeowners. With solar panels or collectors installed on your roof, you can take advantage of ...

Installing solar power at a home is a great way to reduce electricity bills, especially as the cost of solar panels and their associated electronics continue to plummet. Not every utility allows ...

Dear Jim: I want to install a solar water-heater kit on my roof, but I am not sure if it is a worthwhile investment or if it will look bad. What options do I have and can I install any of them myself?

A water heater is one of those home appliances that you don't think about until it stops working. However, a water heater can be a major energy eater, whether you're buying one for a new home or ...