subject: Four Do it Yourself Projects For Going Green [print this page] Four Do it Yourself Projects For Going Green
Do it yourself types of people are particularly blessed in this regard, since they can undertake a wide variety of projects themselves and save a lot of money. But even if you're not Mr. Fix-It, you can still find at least a couple of projects that are very easy to do yourself with some patience and perhaps a good manual.
Do it yourself projects can be easy or difficult. Here are four ideas to help you get started in thinking about projects you could take on:
1) Construct a composter. This probably ranks among the easiest of tasks and probably doesn't even require a guide unless you are a complete beginner to composting and don't know what to put into the container. Basically what you need is a large tub, barrel, or even a big garbage can that has some holes punched into it to allow air to get in. Then you put your waste to be composted into the container, shut it, put it in a sunny location to speed up the process, wait a few months, and then find your rich compost reward. You will not only help your garden, but also re-use a huge amount of waste that would otherwise be destined for the scrap heap.
2) Weatherstrip and insulate your home. This project is of easy to medium difficulty, and much depends on how your house is constructed and whether your attic is finished or not. Insulation is just as it sounds, adding material to your walls and attic to keep out the elements. This may or may not be possible for you to do. Weatherstripping is a lot easier, and involves installing items like foam strips or thin strips of wood with rubber linings to the places around your windows and door that are leaking air. Taking these steps will allow you to save a surprisingly large amount of energy without installing anything else. If you live in the US you also have the benefit of receiving President Obama's energy efficiency tax credits for the money you spend on materials until the end of 2010.
3) Build your rain barrels. This is conceptually very easy. You can cut back your gutter downspouts and re-direct them to a large barrel that will hold water until you need it for irrigating your back yard. In practice it may not be so easy, especially if you live in a cold climate and want to avoid having water freeze inside your barrel. There are kits on the market that let you install a double downspout--one to the barrel and the other to the ground, with a lever or switch that easily lets you direct water one way or the other as you desire. This makes for a very effective system and it's a great way of conserving water during the hot summer months.
4) Build solar panels for your home. While the thought of building a solar panel array may sound daunting to many people, folks with some background in electricity or a strong willingness to learn can be rewarded with an inexpensive system that can power as little or as much as you desire. There are good guides out there that can help you every step of the way, from wiring to mounting the panels. The price of solar panels has dropped greatly in recent years because they have become easier to make with advancing technology. Successfully completing your own solar panel project is one of the most eco friendly activities you can undertake, since you reduce or eliminate your reliance on dirty fossil fuels and use the clean power of the sun instead.
These four ideas may sound simple or complex to you. It's up to you to decide what you're willing to undertake. But no matter which project you choose, you are sure to strike a blow in favor of environmentalism by reducing waste--be it energy, water, or solids. These projects and others you can think of are a great way to go green and possibly even save a good deal of money in the long run if you have the patience and information to complete them.
Joe Barrios writes for EcoVillageGreen.com. Thinking about building your own solar panel array? EcoVillageGreen reviews three top DIY guides on how to build your own solar panels.
