Hot Eco-Friendly How-Tos

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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!

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: Control your ant problem in safe way

Are you suffering from an ant problem? Do you spray them with the nearest product or drown them in water? You'll think you've gotten rid of the problem, but there back again and again. In this video, you'll learn how to get rid of them once and for all the safe way.

How To: Control a cockroach problem naturally

Do you have a pesky cockroach problem? You've tried and bought everything you can think of to get rid of this annoying winged bugs. In this video, you'll learn everything you need to know and do to get rid of them once and for all the natural way. Now, you'll be able to sleep and eat in peace.

How To: Make a wallet from a recylced milk carton

A simple and creative way to make your own wallet. A few folds and snips of the scissors and you've created your own pocket wallet. You can even use different color of the carton to achieve a different and unique kind. It is extremely simple, the only things you need are your hands, scissors, tape and stapler. Open the carton, flatten it out, cut, tape the cut sides, staple and apply adhesive strips. You can apply whatever color of tape you want, this can make the wallet even more personalize...

How To: Upcycle a yogurt container into a mini-album

Creativity Prompt demonstrates how to turn a yogurt container into a mini-album. First, measure the lid's diameter. Then, cut a corresponding circle from your patterned paper. Use Mod Podge to adhere the paper circle to the lid and seal it with another layer of adhesive. Next, cut a bunch of different 4 x 1 inch strips of patterned paper. Adhere the paper strips to the yogurt container with Mod Podge. Seal it with another layer of adhesive and set it aside to dry. Measure the bottom of the co...

How To: Filter vegetable oil to make biodiesel

In this video, Tom Carpenter explains how to filter vegetable oil into bio-diesel at home. After collecting a large amount of waste vegetable oil, place 30 gallons of it into a modified (by removing the top heating element) water heater. Use a pump and hose to circulate the liquid through the water heater. Heat the oil to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit. In a separate container, mix methanol and sodium/potassium hydroxide (methoxide). After disconnecting the heating element from the water heater, ...