2/7/14

Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs can be turned on and off about 7,000 times before burning out. The lifespan makes them the perfect choice for light fixtures that are on for extended periods of time, but for light fixtures that are on for only short periods of time -- like walk-in closets or fixtures with motion detectors -- it's best to avoid CFLs. The constant turning on and off of those fixtures will burn out CFLs very quickly. Instead, invest in LED bulbs for those fixtures to reap the energy savings and long-lasting attributes of the bulbs.

2/6/14

Cigarette butts are some of the most commonly littered items around the world. If you do a litter cleanup in your neighborhood, save used cigarette butts to create a free and easy DIY nicotine insecticide for your plants. Nicotine is toxic to harmful insects like aphids, gnats and leafhoppers, but is relatively harmless to good insects like bees and ladybugs. To make a nicotine insecticide, simply soak 1-cup cigarette butts in 1-gallon warm water with 1/4-teaspoon soap flakes for 30 minutes. Strain and put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray away.

2/5/14

According to the United States Department of Energy, about 14 percent of total air filtration in a home enters through a fireplace chimney. Cold drafts can enter a chimney even if the flue is pulled shut, which can make your home less energy-efficient in the winter months. There are products in the marketplace called chimney balloons that you place inside the chimney that act as draft dodgers. They stop the cold drafts, but can be expensive. One DIY solution: Rip open a cardboard box and tape it inside the chimney as a draft stopper. It will do the trick and help you save up to 30 percent on your heating bill. Just remember to remove the box before starting a fire!