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24 February 2014

Why Reuse Or Recycle?

By Hedrick Lepsch


Going green or being environmentally conscious is becoming a hot topic among government leaders to everyday people. As a result many people are finding unique ways to reuse or the new term upcycle old or otherwise discarded items and making something new with them. This idea has sparked various extremes from people using actual garbage to someone maybe reusing a plastic water bottle.

However, comfort usually comes with a price, and in the case of a warm house it's a very literal price of an expensive heating bill. Learn how to lower the cost of heating your home while still making it through the winter in comfort.

Lower your Thermostat This can often be a topic of intense debate in any house or apartment, but the fact is that lowering your thermostat is the easiest and most direct way to cut down on the cost of heating your home. It's estimated that for every degree that you lower your thermostat, you save around 3% on your next heating bill. However, make sure that you never turn off your thermostat while you are away. Doing so can sometimes cause pipes in the house to freeze and rupture, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

Check your Windows Windows have a large part to play in how heat energy in your house is both created and dispersed. The first thing you should be aware of regarding your windows is how well they are fitted to your house. Cracks or spaces on your windows can leak heat at a surprising rate, causing your heater to work harder in order to keep your house warm.

* Meal Plans: School can be expensive and students want to save where they can. One way is planning meals ahead of time and making meals at your house or apartment instead of getting fast food. This saves money because it is inexpensive to make your own food, and you can also reuse food containers. Going to a restaurant or fast food place will have more trash, and probably won't be as healthy for you as well compared to homemade food with fresh fruits and vegetables.

* Ladder shelves: You can make a unique shelf unit out of an old ladder and add extended shelves where the steps are. You could use a metal ladder and paint it or an old wood ladder for a more rustic look.

* Bookshelf: Make a small bookshelf that mounts on the wall with an old hardback book. This is done by mounting two metal L brackets to a book and then mounting the book to the wall. You can then stack books on the shelf without using wood. * Funnel Speakers: Get two plastic funnels, and place two ear bud headphones into the narrow end of the funnels. Then plug in the ear buds into an iPod or stereo and you have instant speakers. * CD case picture frames: Get an old cd or jewel case and cut out a piece of cardboard to match the case. Get together some photos and cut out the picture to match the cardboard. Tape the photo to the cardboard and place it in the jewel case and close it. Then get some Velcro and tape it to the back of the case and you can mount it on the wall.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that you do not have to continue paying massive amounts for a warm house.




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