AOL Real Estate recently highlighted a few easy steps homeowners can take to make their homes more “green”:  You may have done some of these things already, but I hope there's at least one thing on the list that's new.

1. Swap out the light bulbs: LED light bulbs areknown as being 80 percent more energy efficient and lasting as much as 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

2. Have a programmable thermostat: These devices that allow you more easily to adjust the temperature can save a homeowner about $180 a year in energy costs, according to Energy Star.

3. Trade in the old water heater: A heat pump hot water heater is known to be more than twice as efficient as standard electric resistance tanks, according to the AOL Real Estate article.

4. Add aerators to faucets and showerheads: These devices can limit the amount of water that is used.

5. Add ceiling fans: “Energy Star-qualified fans are 50 percent more efficient than conventional units and can save up to $15 per year on utility bills,” according to AOL Real Estate.

6. Use Energy Star appliances: For example, replacing a dishwasher that was made before 1994 with an Energy Star-certified one can save $40 on utility bills by using less water. Energy Star-rated refrigerators can save homeowners from $200 to $1,100 over the life of the appliance.

Content originally published in Daily Real Estate News