Hot Eco-Friendly Posts
How To: Use water barrels on your garden to save money
If rain is a constant weather in your city, you should check into installing rain barrels outside. These precious storage systems are great to use for watering your plants during the long summer months. Not only does it help you save money, but it helps out the environment as well. They're easy to set up and can be done without much hassle. So check out the tutorial above from the city of Calgary, on how to use rain barrels today. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Seal your air ducts and save energy and money
If you take a quick look around your home, there are many areas that can be changed to help ensure that it's energy efficient. From the fridge in your kitchen to the lights outside, there are numerous possibilities. One area that is filled with possibilities is your basement, more specifically, your home's air ducts. This is an area where you can save 5-10 percent per month on your energy bill. It takes a little bit of time to complete, but is totally worth it in the long haul. So check out t...
How To: Install window insulation in your basement
Just like a garage, basements can become areas where you're saying hello cold air, good-bye money! This is because when cold air fills a basement, the floor above it becomes cold and can actually lower the tempature in that room. To avoid this, you need to install proper insulation at your windows. This can be an easy task.
How To: Save money by insulating your water pipes
If you look around your home, there are numerous areas that can be worked on to help you save money and energy. From your tv, to your laptop, to even your sink, it's all around you. You can even find it in your basement. Those water pipes that are exposed underground, are perfect areas of where you can easily save money.
How To: Save energy and money by changing your light bulbs
Saving energy is as easy as 1,2,3! There are various places in your home where you can spend money on that will not only save you energy, but money as well. One of the most common and easiest places is the light fixtures. From sconces, to lamps, to the lights above your dining room table, these lights can be replaced with more energy efficient lights easily. They cost a bit more, but in the long haul will save you money and help leave a smaller footprint on this planet.
How To: Be wary of vampire voltage
Vampire voltage may sound like the next Sci-Fi channel original movie, but it's not. It's something that lives in your very home and can be affecting your energy bill even as you read this. Basically vampire voltage is an appliance that is using electricty although it's not being used. Computers, microwaves, blu-ray disk players, etc are examples of vampires.
How To: Install reflective film on your storm door
Applying a restrictive film on your storm door is a smart and great energy saving method. During the long summer months, if any sunlight hits your storm door, it can not only damage the look of your door, but cause your home to become much hotter than you need it to be.
How To: Save money and energy using a compact fluorescent bulb
If you haven't made the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, what are you waiting for? These bulbs produce the same amount of light as the old bulbs, but produce less heat and zap less energy away from your home. That can lead to you saving money and doing more for the environment.
How To: Save energy by installing a solar water heater
Saving energy in your home is as easy as pie. There are many areas of the home that you can tackle. One area that can be helpful is the water heater. There are a couple of water heaters that you can use to not only save energy but money. One way is by using an active or passive solar water heating system.
How To: Make a sand snake to help save energy
If you don't know what a sand snake is or what it does, it's basically something that is used to help you save energy and money. It's bigger than weatherstripping and can be just as effective.
How To: Insulate your exterior walls
Having proper insulation in your home is one of the best, and important, ways to save energy in your home. There are many ways to help make sure that you're home is energy efficient. There are ways to help add insulation to the exterior of your walls to help with owning a nice and updated home.
How To: Check to see if your home is energy efficient
If you're wondering if your home is energy efficient, there is an easy way to check. For some cities in the U.S., you can actually call people to come over to your house and test the efficiency of your home. It's a great way to tell if you're saving energy and what you need to work on.
How To: Easily install reflective window film
If you have a set of windows in your home that are always facing the sun, then that can be a problem. Not only can it damage any furniture that may be in the way, but it can raise the tempature in your room causing you to use more energy to cool it down.
How To: Install weatherstripping on a door to save energy
There are many ways that you can save money and energy in your home. One of the most obvious takes place at the entrance of your home: doors. Weatherstripping a door is a smart and simple way to help ensure that the outside air stays out and the inside air stays in.
How To: Manage the humidity in your home
You may not realize it, but there are ways that you can manage the humidity that is inside of your home. Too much or too little can affect how comfortable you are inside and can even damage certain parts of your home as well.
How To: Use a fireplace insert to keep your home efficient
A fireplace is a great tool to use during the cold winter months. It can be used to help set a mood or just to keep you and others warm. But when the fire is out, it's important to close off the entrance to prevent any cold air from coming in and any warm air from leaving. The best, and cheapest, way to do this is by creating a fireplace insert.
How To: Use a humidifier during winter
It may not sound like an obvious solution, but using a humidifier during the cold winter months, can actually be more efficient and make your home more comfortable. Having low humidity levels inside your home cause several things to occur, but one being the use of your furnace. This can raise prices and cause you to waste more energy.
How To: Save money, but still be comfortable during winter
If you are looking to save money and energy, but hate you have to do it during winter, that can be a problem. For some, saving money and energy usually means giving up warm air and having to be cold. But there are ways that you can still do both.
How To: Keep your windows sealed to prevent loss of energy
If you live in an older home with windows that are aged, it's a smart idea to make sure they're sealed correctly. Doing so can not only result in a loss of energy in your home, but prevent cool or warm air from entering your home. It's a great and easy way to save on costs.
How To: Install insulation for a water heater
There are many ways that you can lose energy and heat in your home, and one of the most common ways is by the water heater. It may not seem like it, but you can lose a lot of money and energy when using your water heater. So it's important to take the necessary steps when you want to save energy and money. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to install an insulation jacket for your electric or gas water heater. Good luck, be safe, and enjoy!
How To: Easily make your home energy efficient with plastic
If you're trying to save some cash, as well as help the environment, there are many things that you can do around your home that will help. One thing you can do is use plastic. There are many different uses for plastic and it comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They are most commonly used in caulks and sealants and can help prevent any cold or warm air from leaving the home, saving you money and energy. If you're interested in finding out what else you can do, check out this tutorial abov...
How To: Recycle your cardboard & make functional furniture
In order to make furniture out of old cardboard boxes, you will need cardboard boxes, rods, nuts, and washers.
How To: Make a pine cone bird feeder
There are so many beautiful birds that fly around. This video shows you how to draw those birds to your yard by making a pinecone birdfeeder.
How To: Build a tin can Stirling engine
The Stirling engine is a relatively old type of external combustion engine that has never really found a niche despite its unique advantages over conventional internal combustion engines. This video for the DIY-inclined will show you how to make your very own small Stirling engine out out of a tin can and some other basic materials. It may not power your house, but you will be able to amaze and educate your friends with this awesome little device.
How To: Make an outdoor wood stove enclosure with roofing tin
There is really no limit to the recycling that a somewhat handy person can do given only some tools and a good supply of scrap. This video walks you through one recycling project, making a wood-burning stove enclosure for your yard using only old roofing tin. If you have access to a wood-burning stove and some old roofing tin scraps, then this video should be very helpful to you.
How To: Make a trash can compost bin
Soil is arguably one of the most important ingredients when starting a garden. Buying it from the store is easy, but sometimes store bought soil doesn't work as well. Now making your own soil, cannot only help make your garden grow, but gets rid of unwanted fruits and veggies. So in this tutorial, you'll be finding out how to make a trash can compost bing using some easy to find ingredients. So check out this tutorial to find out more and good luck!
How To: Dispose of batteries properly
You may or may not know it, but getting rid of old batteries is a problem nowadays. Buying alkaline batteries from the store can be bad news, since these cannot be reused or even recycled. They end up in land fills and can pose serious toxic threats. Buying recycled batteries from the store is a better way to go, since these guys can be recycled and of course, reused. So check out this tutorial for some more adivce on properly disposing or your batteries. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Use a broken umbrella to make a tote bag
Broken umbrellas are all over the place. Blame it on the rain? Planned obsolescence is more like it—meaning the stuff is made to break. Carrying groceries never looked so good and reuseful. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started making your own custom broken-umbrella tote back, watch this crafter's guide.
How To: Make a ceramic jar with household items & a hammer
In this video, learn how to turn an old broken plate into a beautiful new, ceramic jar! This project will cost you next to nothing and only requires things you already have around your home. Check out this clip and create a very cool, fractured ceramic vase that can be used for many different things!
How To: Repurpose your plastic bags into fun holiday crafts
In this video, Elizabeth Gleeson shows us how to repurpose those plastic shopping bags that pile up around the house into fun crafts that make perfect gifts for the holidays. You can use this new fabric for tons of projects including new purses, wallets, shopping bags or anything else you would use normal fabric for! So, get started and help save the Earth - one bag at a time!
How To: Properly dispose of old electronic gadgets
The bad thing about Christmas and Birthdays, is the fact that with new gifts, means old junk. Old iPods, video game consoles, and televisions can;t be just thrown away like that. They contain dangerous parts that can be toxic and bad for the enviornment. So in this tutorial from Cnet, you'll find out how to properly dispose of old electronic gadgets. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make a solar powered water heater
Nowadays, people are more aware of what's going in with the world today and are trying to change the way they eat, dispose of trash, etc. This "green" movement is being practiced from people all over the planet and it;s a great way to save on money and be friendlier to planet Earth. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to make a solar powered water heater from scratch. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Make your home more energy efficient
Saving money is the name of the game during any rough financial period. There are many ways to do so, but one of the most obvious ways is by doing it in your home. Being energy efficient is a great way to not only save some green, but be green as well. So in this tutorial, you'll learn a few tips on how to make your home more energy efficient. Enjoy!
News: Pee, the Latest Fuel Alternative?
The newest fuel alternative on the horizon? Pee. U.S. researchers have been experimenting with using urine as a method of producing hydrogen. Not only could this virtually free and readily available resource possibly power automobiles, but it could also aid in the clean up of municipal wastewater.
How To: Make a solar food dehydrator
Rick van Man of Container Gardening For Food details his techniques for making a solar-powered food dehydrator out of such household debris as scrap wood and old pint cans. The finished product looks amazingly professional! Truly a must-watch for any DIY-inclined gardening enthusiast.
How To: Make your own worm compost out of kitchen waste
Most people think of compost as something you make out of garden waste, but in this video we learn how a smaller amount of it can be made out of your daily kitchen waste. If you drink coffee and cook at least one thing a day using vegetables, than this video will help you turn that waste that stinks up your trash can into a helpful, eco-friendly gardening aide. And you get to have worms in your kitchen without feeling like you live in a fraternity house in the forest!
How To: Fuse plastic bags into a laptop case
Recycle plastic bags! Watch this video to learn from Threadbanger how you can turn those wasteful and polluting plastic bags into something useful. Upcycle them into a laptop case. It's convenient and something you'll always have a need for. So why not? Watch this video and you can see how to turn this toxic product into something beautiful and utilitarian.
How To: Live off the grid
PeteMcCormack2 teaches viewers how they can live off the grid! First, you will need shelter, heat and water! And possibly some electricity. You need head so you can use a high efficiency wood stove. You always need to have water so you can use a well or a water pump. Also, for a pump you will need power, you can use solar power for this! You can also use a pressure tank. This way of life does not necessarily cost much and with self installation it will lower the cost also. All you have to do ...
How To: Easily build a rain barrel
A whole is drilled into the cap of a barrel with a 3 1/4 inch bit and another one an inch or more below the top and one of 3 inches width on the next side. Spreaded adapters ends are wrapped with plumbers tape; to prevent water leaks. The ends are then screwed together and placed into the top hole in the barrel. The spiget is held into the side hole with a piece of pvc pipe and a garden hose is attached. A funnel is made with a piece of window screen mesh slightly bigger than a pvc pipe it co...
How To: Reduce Phantom Loads to Lower Your Electric Bill
Phantom loads are what happens when you leave electronic devices plugged in when they are not in use. Even if you do not have your electronics turned on, they are still putting out an electric charge. These phantom loads can be prevented with a few simple changes.