Energy bills are something you can’t get rid of like a car payment or student loan debt, but you can decrease them. Here are some things you can do to decrease your monthly expenses on water.

Get a tankless water heater

Tankless water heaters allow for what is known as “on demand” hot water. They are much smaller than traditional water heaters. Cold water is piped through the heater and is quickly heated by either gas or electricity. This means you don’t have to let the water run for very long for it to get hot. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save $100 a year or more with a tankless heater.

Insulate your pipes

Insulating your water pipes can also save you money on your water bills. It’s generally the same concept as a tankless water heater in that you don’t have to let the water run as long before it gets hot. Insulating your hot water pipes can help raise your water temperature two to four degrees Fahrenheit, decreasing the water you waste down the drain.

Fix any leaks

A leak of one drip per second can cost you $1 every month. That may not seem like a lot, but this calculation helps you see the bigger picture. A drip rate of 60 drips per minute can waste 8.64 gallons a day, 259 gallons a month, and 3,153 gallons a year. That’s a lot of water. If you fix the leaks in a prompt manner, you don’t have to pay for all that wasted water.

Update your appliances

Finally, you can update your appliances if you want to save money on your water bills. While it may cost you more money up front, energy efficient appliances use much less water and energy in the long run. Replacing your washing machine, dishwasher, and other similar appliances can cut down your water bills shortly after you purchase them. Additionally, here are some tips for properly cleaning your exhaust filter!

Try out some of these tips so you can save money on your water bills every month. Not only will you be putting money back in your wallet, but water conservation is also great for the environment.

The size of the average American home may have tripled over the past 50 years, but that doesn’t mean everyone can take on an expansive renovation to increase square footage or spend a lot of time and money on room upgrades. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to. Something as simple as giving your floor a facelift can be incredibly effective — not to mention incredibly affordable and fast. We’re here to offer a few great ideas to give your floor a makeover and make sure it stays in excellent condition.

Try Layering Some Rugs

If you aren’t particularly handy or don’t have the energy to devote to a total floor change, never fear. You can switch up the feel of a whole room just by being a bit clever with floor coverings. Buy a couple of rugs that differ in size, texture, and pattern to create something unique in your main living space. You can even do this if you’re stuck with wall-to-wall carpeting for the time being. Not only will it make the room more visually interesting, but it will make it a warm and welcoming place to be as well.

Add a Stencil Pattern

Have some existing tile in your bathroom or kitchen but feel bored with the look? You don’t have to gut the entire thing. Clean off the tile, paint the base color (chalked paint in a bold color or neutral works well) and allow to dry. Then, lay your chosen stencil and use a contrasting color paint, being sure to line up all the edges. Finally, touch up and seal with a protective finish. Since the four key factors in the floor protection industry are water resistance, durability, simpler maintenance, and improved color, you’ll want to make sure not to skip this step — particularly in high-traffic areas and ones prone to water use!

Spruce Things Up With Stickers

If you’re wary to mess up your tile with paint, there’s an even easier route to take: stickers! You can find vinyl tile floor stickers on Etsy and other stores (sometimes you can even find a seller who will customize a design for you). Installing them is pretty self-explanatory, as you simply peel off part of the backing, line up the sticker with the floor, and fit as needed. The transformation is pretty incredible though, especially in small spaces (like half-baths or laundry rooms). And it’s a no-muss, no-fuss DIY that just about anyone can handle.

Of course, once you give your flooring a makeover, you need to ensure it stays in great shape. Experts recommend that families enforce a “no-shoe rule” to prevent dirt and damage and to perform preventative maintenance on a regular basis. You should also take care to protect your floor from sun damage and to clean up spills quickly to prevent permanent deterioration. And once it’s clear that your floors need a more substantial replacement (particularly if you’re looking to sell your home), you may want to bite the bullet and invest in it. But if you’ve only got a weekend and a limited budget — and your home is in overall good shape — these DIY ideas will spice things up and allow you to love these rooms again.