Green @ Home

Posts Tagged ‘DIY’

Everybody knows reliable, not-expensive telescopic table lamp, widely sold through IKEA. Though, it’s relatively simple to modify it from 25 Watts halogen bulb to the LED and drastically decrease the power consumption with a little bit less brightness.

I found MR16 LED bulb cluster, 12V 1.2W in Rona store for $6. The point is that the socket for original T4 Bi-Pin Base halogen is the same that for MP16 that have almost identical two needle-like pins. And base of lamp is containing transformer, providing 12v AC current, so the modification is simple and easy.

Of course, it can be elaborated more to make design more neat and adding aesthetic features. There is always room to chase perfection. At least main goal – to reduce consumption about 20 times is achieved.

Here is illustrated DIY guide :

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Continuing to deal with big and fat energy suckers through the home, here was another one found – security flood lights with motion detector, at the back of the house. Here is how it was upgraded to get the tiny fraction of energy it used to consume before and still be operational enough to lit the path.

DIY guide

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The sun and wind are actually more gentler on clothes than traditional dryers and leave them with a real fresh scent.

If you want a quick and easy way to save the energy, this could be way to go.
Average clothes dryer is one of the biggest energy-guzzling appliances in your home, along with fridge and water heater. A clothesline, on the other hand, dries your garments for free. Using a clothesline for 25% of household needs can result in savings of $30 or 230 kilowatts a year. There are numbers of options here, including the lines-with-wheels arrangements or retractable  models (good for balconies).  Whatever you pick, you will save the money.  Many municipalities are removing restrictions now, check your area limitations.