[ By Steph in Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
When Indonesia’s Mount Tambora erupted in 1815, the world got an all too vivid glimpse at just how far-reaching the damage can be. The largest volcanic eruption in the earth’s history killed 100,000 people and caused ‘The Year Without a Summer‘, crop-killing summer snow and freezing temperatures in the United States and Europe. Today, Iceland’s Mount Eyjafjallajökull is far from the only one to worry about.There’s an unusual amount of seismic activity happening everywhere from Washington State to North Korea, with 12 deadly volcanoes nearing potential eruption.
Katla Volcano, Iceland
(image via: earth magazine)
If you thought Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull eruption was bad, you haven’t seen anything yet. Think of the Katla volcano as Eyjafjallajökull’s fiercer, angrier, more violent sister. A Katla volcano eruption would be ten times stronger and would shoot larger plumes of ash much higher in the air. Though experts feared that Katla might be set off by the eruption back in April, it hasn’t happened yet – but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
Mount Baekdu, North Korea
(image via: wikimedia commons)
Mount Baekdu is sacred to Koreans, deeply connected to their history – the legend goes that this volcanic mountain on the border between North Korea and China is the ancestral origin of their people. But it may soon be connected to a new, less positive legend; experts believe it’s going to erupt for the first time since 947 A.D. sometime between 2014 and 2015. Last time, the amount of ash created is estimated to have been 1,000 times that of the recent Iceland eruption.
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
(image via: wikimedia commons)
In December of 2009, residents of the central province in the Philippines got the warning: evacuate, because Mayon is going to blow any time now. Tens of thousands of people fled the area as Mount Mayon began to hiss steam and spew ash into the air and lava began to pour down the mountainside. Ultimately, the volcano didn’t erupt – not yet, at least. The warning level has been lowered since then, but experts say the danger is far from past, especially as volcanic earthquakes and rockfall events continue to occur.
Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA
(image via: wikimedia commons)
30 years ago, Mount St. Helens caused utter chaos in Washington State, killing dozens of people and decimating more than 200 square miles of forest. It erupted again in 2004 – much more mildly – but another eruption is just a matter of time, and there would be very little warning once it began. Scientists estimate that Mount St. Helens would send a plume of ash 30,000 feet into the sky within five minutes.
Yellowstone Volcano, Wyoming, USA
(images via: wikimedia commons)
When Iceland’s volcano erupted in April 2010, the most damage it did was to the airline industry as billions of dollars were lost to grounded flights. But, as CBS News puts it, “If the Yellowstone volcano has a major eruption, you won’t be thinking much about flying.” That’s because this gigantic little-known volcano, which lies under the surface of one of America’s most popular national parks, would level nearby towns and cover a huge portion of the central US with dozens of feet of ash if it erupted. Right now, the rock is about 5% molten, and it needs to reach 15% before an eruption – which could happen in a matter of days, but would have to be triggered by a major event about as likely as a mile-wide asteroid hitting the earth. The Yellowstone volcano is being carefully monitored by scientists, so we’ll likely know far ahead of time if this baby gets ready to blow.
Marsili Volcano, Italy
(image via: cnn.com)
As if Southern Italy didn’t have enough volcanic threats, there’s also the possibility of a nearby undersea volcano collapsing and causing a catastrophic tsunami. In that sense, the Marsili Volcano isn’t technically “about to blow” – but it could cause just as much damage. In fact, experts at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology say that the volcano’s walls could crumble at any time, producing shock waves that could theoretically sink the whole of Southern Italy into the Mediterranean Sea. It’s not a matter of if, but when – however, that ‘when’ may not occur for hundreds of years.
Glacier Peak, Washington, USA
(image via: herald net)
Compared to the majesty of nearby Mount Rainier and Mount Baker, Washington State’s Glacier Peak seems like a mole hill. But buy a home in Snohomish County, and you’ll be forced to sign a document acknowledging your awareness of the fact that you’ll be living within the volcano’s reach. Glacier Peak is one of 18 U.S. Volcanoes listed as “very high threat”, but it has only three siesmometers and no GPS monitoring stations. Its last major eruption was about 1800 years ago, and when it erupts again, it will be far more violent than the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Mount Vesuvius, Italy
(image via: wikimedia commons)
The 1 million people who live at the base of Mt. Vesuvius don’t need to be reminded of the horrors that another eruption of that infamous volcano would bring – they know all too well. Pompeii, completely annihilated in the year 79 B.C.E., is just minutes from the bustling metropolis of Naples, Italy. Yet another eruption killed 4,000 people in 1631, while a 1944 eruption took the lives of 26. Vesuvius is now considered Italy’s “biggest public safety problem”, though no one can predict when it will next awaken. Luckily, the chance of another Pompeii-sized eruption is only around 1 percent.
Ischia Volcano, Italy
(image via: wikimedia commons)
Not far from Mount Vesuvius, just a few miles away off the coast of Southern Italy, lies yet another volcano that could potentially erupt at any time – and while it’s far less known than Vesuvius, it may be even more dangerous. Ischia last erupted 700 years ago, and scientists say that it’s experiencing a build-up of magma that may be a disturbing hint at coming events.
Mount Merapi, Indonesia
(image via: wikimedia commons)
It’s a beautiful sight, towering over the surrounding flat lands with their jumbles of bright-roofed buildings. But Mount Merapi is also deadly, and capable of meting out an incredible amount of destruction. It has earned its place among the world’s most active volcanoes, with mild eruptions occurring every 2-3 years, larger ones every 10-15 years and exceptionally lethal eruptions happening every 40-60 years. In 1930, 1400 people lost their lives and 13 villages were destroyed; in 2006, the volcano threatened to blow but seismic activity calmed down within a couple weeks.
Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
(image via: xinhuanet)
Just like its similarly volatile neighbor Nyamuragira, the volcano Nyiragongo – located in the Democratic Republic of Congo – is extremely active, having erupted at least 34 times since 1882. A major eruption in 2002 sent lava pouring into the streets of nearby towns. Another one is likely forthcoming: in June 2010, a massive plume of molten rock associated with volcanic activity was discovered heading toward the East African Rift upon which Nyiragongo sits.
Taal Volcano, Philippines
(image via: wikimedia commons)
In the Philippines, residents are on alert for a possible eruption of the Taal Volcano, which could blow for the first time since 1997. Located just 30 miles south of the densely populated capital city of Manila, Taal could cause significant upheaval in the region including fatalities. The volcano began hissing steam last year and many high-frequency volcanic earthquakes were detected in the third week of June 2010, with magma currently moving toward the surface.
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World’s Trashiest Hotel: Rome Hotel Built of Beach Garbage
[ By Delana in Art & Design, Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems. ]
Rome is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with unforgettable architecture and an atmosphere that can’t be found anywhere else. Lately, though, it’s become a real dump. German artist Ha Schult constructed a temporary hotel in the city to highlight the sad state of Europe’s beaches. The hotel, part of Corona’s Save the Beach campaign, is constructed of garbage collected from the shoreline.
The five-room hotel contains roughly 12 tons of garbage, including fishing nets, plastic bags, skateboards, clothing, old tires, and even a mannequin’s leg. The guest rooms are very simple and basic, with leaking roofs and torn sheets acting as curtains, but they do boast real furniture. The toilets are eco-friendly chemical commodes, and forget about washing off the day’s grime in this hotel: there are no showers.
The project is meant to show that, unless we make some major changes to the way we treat the world’s beaches, we will one day be surrounded by garbage wherever we go. In the words of Schult, “we create rubbish and we become rubbish. We must change the world before the world changes us.”
(image via: Daily Mail)
One of the first guests in the unusual hotel was supermodel-turned-environmental activist Helena Christensen. She is probably more used to spending her nights in luxurious surroundings, but decided to spend the night in the garbage hotel to raise awareness of the sad state of European beaches. She reportedly had a pleasant night conversing with the other guests…despite being surrounded by refuse.
The Corona Save the Beach hotel was displayed in Rome until June 7, and is expected to be recreated in various other cities throughout the summer. The campaign promises to clean up at least one European beach per year, with the winning beaches being chosen by internet votes.
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12 Savvy Small-Space Urban Gardening Designs & Ideas
[ By Steph in Art & Design, Home & Garden. ]
Think you gotta have a farm or even a large yard to grow enough fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to feed your family all summer? You’d be surprised how much food you can get out of the smallest of spaces – even when you live in an urban high-rise. From innovative vertical gardening systems to hanging pots and easy-access planters, these 12 small-space gardening solutions make homegrown produce possible no matter how tiny your outdoor space may be.
Small but Expandable Step Garden
(images via: urban garden)
How do you squeeze every possible square inch of usable growing space out of a tiny balcony or deck? When space is an issue but you want to grow much more than just a pot full of essentials, stacked raised beds can do a lot with a small footprint. These raised beds by The Urban Garden stack in various configurations and help you ensure that all of your plants have equal access to the sunlight.
Pop Bottle Drip System
(images via: you grow girl)
Unless you’re really conscientious, it’s way too easy to accidentally kill plants growing in small pots under the brutal heat of the summer sun, especially in urban environments where reflected heat can dry out soil fast. A slow-delivering drip irrigation system is the way to go – and you don’t have to spend a dime. An easy tutorial from You Grow Girl explains how to use recycled pop bottles.
Square Foot Gardening
(image via: serene journal)
How much food can you grow in a square foot? More than you think. Square foot gardening consists of 4
Backwards Vending: Machine Pays For Recyclables
[ By Delana in Art & Design, Nature & Ecosystems, Technology & Gadgets. ]
Most of us are familiar with the concept of vending machines: after you put money in, the machine gives you something in return. But this new vending machine, called The Dream Machine, works in exactly the opposite way. When you put in a can or bottle to recycle, it gives you points and prizes in return.
(image via: KingDesmond)
The idea behind the Dream Machine is to encourage people to recycle even when they’re away from home. Containers from drinks consumed away from home are typically the least likely to be recycled because of the lack of public recycling facilities. It’s estimated that we throw away, rather than recycle, around 100 billion recyclable cans and bottles every year. Even where there are facilities for recycling away from home, most people lack the motivation to seek them out. This system gives the public a reason to hang onto their cans and bottles until they spot a Dream Machine.
The machines are the work of Pepsi, Waste Management and Keep America Beautiful. Manufactured by GreenOps, the machines provide points which can be redeemed at Greenopolis.com or in the store where the machine is located. Users simply scan the bar code on the can or bottle, then feed it into the machine. Each machine can hold around 300 containers before it needs to be emptied.
While not many of the machines are currently in use out in the world, thousands more will be installed over the summer and throughout the year. Ultimately, the program is expected to bring in approximately 400 million containers annually. The Dream Machines won’t interfere with state bottle recycling programs, which offer a refund of a few cents per bottle recycled, since the machines will only be installed in places where traditional recycling options aren’t available.
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26 Captivating Landscape & Nature Photography Wallpapers
[ By Angie in Geography & Travel, Nature & Ecosystems, Science & Research. ]
The beauty of nature helps inspire us to take care of our planet. If you don’t have the funds or time to travel, then here are 26 stunning landscape and nature photography wallpapers to give you lovely choices to gaze upon from your desktop.
Pamukkale
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
These terraced hot springs are in south-western Turkey. The site is named in Turkish as “Pamukkale,” meaning “cotton castle.” The remains of the ancient Hierapolis are situated on back of the thrilling white terraces. People have bathed in these hot pools for thousands of years. Many people believe these hot springs can cure disease and illness, so Pamukkale attracts tourists. The terraces suffered damage from tourists climbing all over them before Pamukkale was recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Shades of Purple
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
Nature is always stunning to behold. Some photographers take shots in infrared, ultraviolet, thermographic and full spectrum. The location is unknown, but the photographed wallpaper is entitled Evening Light.
Pink Bubble Gum Tree
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
Trees around a lake are gorgeous at anytime, but in springtime there is something magical in the air. This nature photograph is called Bubblegum Tree. It does look like pink bubblegum has overrun the trees.
Tufa Towers & Moonrise over Mono Lake, California
(image credit:Wallpaper HD,El Buskador,Desktop Nexus)
Mono Lake in California covers about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old, and one of the oldest lakes in North America. These unusual rock formations were once submerged in Mono Lake. Tufa towers grow exclusively underwater. They can reach heights of over 30 feet. Tufa is visible around Mono Lake because the lake level dropped dramatically after water diversions which started in 1941. They make the view seem almost like a alien landscape. The lake itself offers something not found anywhere else on earth, an estimated 4-6 trillion brine shrimp inhabit the lake during warm summer months. Migratory shorebirds feast on these shrimp and alkali flies. Whether during the quieter winter months or for a summer moonrise, everyone should see the tufa towers and Mono Lake in person at least once in their life.
Cold White & Blue
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
Shades of cold white and blue tweak this natural scenery. Be it landscape photography or photoshopped, there is a serene and silent peace to this picture.
Iceland Landscape I Blue Lagoon HDR
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is a geothermal spa. The volcanic rock formations are among the bathing and swimming areas where the water temperature remains about 104°F or 40°C. If you go to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, you should know that there is a strict code of hygiene. All guests are required to shower without clothing in the communal shower area before and after bathing in the geothermal spa.
Winter Infrared
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
This photo is called Infrared World. The landscape garden is in Sheffield Park in East Sussex, England. It was originally created in the 18th century, passing through different owners and different tweaks to the land. It now has both exotic and native trees.
Moraine Lake, Canada
(image credits: Desktop Nexus, interfacelift)
There are as many ways to capture the shot as there are photographers practicing their craft. Both of these pictures are of Moraine Lake in Alberta, Canada. This lake in Banff National Park is glacially-fed. Moraine Lake is located within the Valley of Ten Peaks with an elevation of about 6,183 feet. Depending on the time of year, the lake appears different colors due to refraction of light off the rocks. In the summer when the lake is full, it appears very blue. The bottom image was taken before the glacier lake had peaked, but two days later that rock was underwater.
Sunrise Canadian Landscape
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
This sunrise landscape was taken somewhere within the vast land mass of Canada. Canada is the second largest country in the world, full of beautiful landscapes which vary from arid ranchlands to arctic ecosystems.
Silent Day at Mystic Tarn, Mount Rainier, Washington
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
The 14,411 feet tall Mount Rainier reflects in the glacier lake. To see this view for yourself, take a hike on Mystic Lake Trail. Round-trip is 15.8 miles with a elevation gain of 3,900 feet. Hiking time for this round-trip is about nine hours. Permits are required for backpackers turned campers. “In a effort to preserve the shoreline of Mystic Lake, the camp is located along the Wonderland Trail in a forested area .3 mile downhill from the east end of the lake.”
Hvítserkur at Hunafloi Bay, Iceland
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
The sea arch, Hvítserkur, and black sand above are located at Hunafloi Bay, Iceland. The sea arch is last remains of a volcano and local legend has it that Hvítserkur is a troll. Wildlife is abundant in the area around Hunafloi Bay, so if you visit the area in person you could see seals, whales, birds, and arctic foxes to name but a few.
Turtle Island in Ilan, Taiwan
(image credit:hires wallpapers1)
Turtle Island is another name for Guishan Island, but its shape is said to resemble a turtle. It is the largest island of Yilan County, the only one with residents, as well as the only active volcano in Taiwan. The number of tourists are controlled to help preserve the natural environment.
Summer Island Village
(image credit:r3novatio)
Summer Island Village is in the Maldives. 22 natural atolls, small islands and isolated reefs form a long and narrow country called The Maldive Islands. The spectacular place is located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldive Islands is the smallest Asian country as well as the lowest country on the planet at average 4 feet 11 inches above sea level.
Glacier Lake Tibet, China
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
This glacier Lake in Tibet, China, is in one of the highest elevated regions in the world. The area itself is sometimes called the “roof of the world.” There have been many disastrous floods in this area, mostly a result of mountainous floodwater which caused intensive erosion and destruction.
Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
Lithia Park is 93 acres of wooded canyonland along Ashland Creek and is the largest park in Ashland, Oregon. Twice in history, the area has been severely flood-damaged. After structural work to bridges, the park is now a well-cared-for centerpiece of the town.
Crater Lake – National Park Oregon
(image credits: Desktop Nexus,Desktop Nexus,Desktop Nexus)
All three photo wallpapers above are of the same location. On top, the breathtakingly clear blue water is Crater Lake, Oregon. It is the deepest crater lake in the world when comparing depths among world’s lakes whose basins are entirely above sea level. At it’s longest, it’s 5 by 6 miles across with a maximum depth of 1,949 feet. Throughout history, this lake has been called Blue Lake, Lake Majesty, and lastly Crater Lake. In the middle is Sunrise over Crater Lake, at Crater Lake National Park. Depending upon the angle, Wizard Island is visible within the lake.
Ilica, Turkey
(image credit:Desktop Nexus)
Does this look like a little piece of paradise? It should. Ilıca is a large resort area near Cesme, Turkey. This area is renowned for hot springs and spas, but this is the Ilıca Waterfall in Kure Mountains National Park.
Cook Islands & Aitutaki Lagoon at Sunrise
(image credits:Desktop Nexus,Desktop Nexus)
These delightful captures are of the Cook Islands. It is one of 15 islands in the heart of the South Pacific. Perfect choices, if you want to get away to the South Seas and visit an area basically unspoiled by tourism. Need another nudge? Suwarrow Atoll is part of the Cook Islands and rather famous for being a Treasure Island. Throughout the centuries, many chests of gold coins have been discovered at Suwarrow. Pictured on the bottom is sunrise at Aitutaki Lagoon. Aitutaki is another of the Cook Islands. Population is a whopping 2,000 people.
Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
(image credit:Interface Lift)
The lush green and mountainous landscape is in New Zealand. Lake Wanaka is the the fourth largest lake on New Zealand with a depth of about 980 feet. It is also the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.
Rushing Water
(image credit:Interface Lift)
This Rushing Wave was shot at Ballintoy, Ireland, which is a small fishing town. Other than Ballintoy Harbour, the closest place that draws tourists is Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
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Quotes that Make you Think
The day was counting up its birds and never got the answer right. ~Author Unknown
And upsidedown in the earth a dead man walks upon my soles when I walk. ~Bill Knott, “(End) of Summer (1966)”
Night and morning are making promises to each other which neither will be able to keep. ~Richard SheltonI imagine that yes is the only living thing. ~e.e. cummings
Ink smears, as thoughts sometimes do. ~Terri Guillemets
Never mind. The self is the least of it. Let our scars fall in love. ~Galway Kinnell
Her hearing was keener than his, and she heard silences he was unaware of. ~D.M. Thomas
Silence moves faster when it’s going backward. ~Jean Cocteau
We are asleep with compasses in our hands. ~W.S. Merwin
If only I could leave everything as it is, without moving a single star or a single cloud. Oh, if only I could! ~Antonio Porchia, Voces, 1943, translated from Spanish by W.S. Merwin
Sharp nostalgia, infinite and terrible, for what I already possess. ~Juan Ramon Jimenez
[T]he departing world leaves behind… not an heir, but a pregnant widow. ~Alexander Ivanovich Herzen, Other Shore
Two and two the mathematician continues to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three, or the cry of the critic for five. ~James McNeill Whistler, Whistler Versus Ruskin, 1878
We are never prepared for what we expect. ~James A. Michener, Caravans
The universe is simmering down, like a giant stew left to cook for four billion years. Sooner or later we won’t be able to tell the carrots from the onions. ~Arthur BlochThe World within the World by John D. Barrow, 1988, SS–>
As I was walking up the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there.
He wasn’t there again today.
I wish, I wish he’d go away.
~Hugh MearnsIt has been said repeatedly that one can never, try as he will, get around to the front of the universe. Man is destined to see only its far side, to realize nature only in retreat. ~Loren Eiseley, “The Innocent Fox,” The Star Thrower, 1978
We have met the enemy and they are us! ~Walt Kelly, Pogo, 1971
Our dream dashes itself against the great mystery like a wasp against a window pane. Less merciful than man, God never opens the window. ~Jules Renard, Journal, 1906
Fear is a cloak which old men huddle about their love, as if to keep it warm. ~William Wordsworth
All that we know is nothing, we are merely crammed waste-paper baskets, unless we are in touch with that which laughs at all our knowing. ~D.H. Lawrence, “Peace and War,” Pansies, 1929
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
~T.S. Eliot, 1943The beginning of all wisdom is to look fixedly on clothes, or even with armed eyesight, till they become transparent. ~Thomas Carlyle
Beth
Small Ways to Make a Big Difference
Sometimes going green can seem overwhelming. There are so many ways in which we affect our planet on a daily basis. There are some many toxins to avoid and so much help needed to make our world healthier. Where to begin?
CNN published a list of small things you can do to make a difference. Try to integrate a few of these pointers every day. You won’t know what hit you!
Workshop
1. Unplug your power tools. Figure out which cordless tools (like drill/drivers) get the most use, then unplug the chargers on all the rest. Most cordless tools have nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries, which will hold some charge for up to a year. They lose 15 to 20 percent of their juice each month, but only take a couple of hours to power up again. Newer tools with lithium ion batteries lose just 2 to 5 percent of their charge each month, so they’ll be ready to go even if you haven’t charged them in ages.
2. Spread sawdust on your floor. Take the superfine shavings captured by your dust collection system, wet them down, then push them around with a stiff broom to sweep your concrete garage or workshop floor. The mix is as good as a power-guzzling shop vac at picking up dust but doesn’t swirl it into the air.
3. Up the wattage on lights. Where you still use incandescent bulbs (with dimmers or three-ways) on multiple fixtures in a room, try consolidating. One 100-watt incandescent emits more light than two 60-watt bulbs combined but requires 17 percent less power. The 100-watter also uses the same energy as four 25-watt bulbs, but pumps out twice as much light. Just be sure your bulbs don’t exceed the maximum wattage recommendation for each fixture. This Old House: Energy-saving bulbs
4. Eat your leftover take-out. Then save the plastic containers it came in–which can’t be recycled in most municipal waste systems–and use them to organize your nails, screws, and leftover paints. Not only does their tight seal help preserve solvents, but the see-through containers stack neatly and display contents clearly. For added strength, double up the thin ones.
5. Save used paint thinner. After cleaning oil-based finishes from brushes and tools, allow the dirty solvent to sit overnight. The sludge will settle to the bottom of the jar, leaving a layer of clear thinner on top. Carefully decant the clear thinner into a clean jar, and reseal it for future use. Be sure to dispose of the leftover sludge at a hazardous-waste-disposal site–never down a sink drain or into a street gutter.
6. Mix it up in the garage. Combine all those cans of leftover white paint that inevitably collect after you decorate the house and use them to paint the garage or workshop. (Make sure only to mix latex with latex and oils with oils.) You’ll keep the stuff out of the trash, and by adding the semi-glosses to the flats and eggshells, you’ll end up with a sheen that’s easy to clean.
7. Turn things on their heads. Store paint cans upside down so the solvents–which separate and rise to the top–get trapped under the bottom of the can. Not only will paint last longer, but solvents won’t be able to slowly seep out through the lid this way.
8. Take charge of your charges. Invest in an inexpensive battery tester, then set up a “battery center” where you can store new cells, check used ones for power, and set aside those that have burned out and have to be recycled. A designated collection spot will deter you from throwing bad batteries in the garbage. Once or twice a year, you just take the pile to your town’s recycling center.
Kitchen
9. Take your fridge’s temperature. Stick an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of your refrigerator, or between frozen goods in the freezer, overnight. Your fridge temp should be between 37 and 40 degrees F (no more, to keep bacteria at bay); your freezer between zero and 5 degrees. If either compartment is too cold, adjust the setting, since keeping them just 10 degrees colder than necessary can boost your energy consumption by up to 25 percent.
10. Freeze your assets. Slip a dollar bill between the rubber gasket on your freezer and fridge doors and the frame, then close the door and tug on the buck. Notice any resistance? If not, the seal’s not tight enough and cold air is probably leaking out, making your fridge work harder to stay cool. Try this on all four sides of the door.
If necessary, call the manufacturer’s service department to find out how to replace the gasket.
11. Throw a dinner party. And clear out that second fridge or freezer in the garage or basement. Then banish the appliance to the recycling center. Getting rid of either one can save you more than $200 a year, especially if it’s an old, inefficient model. This Old House: House-part recycling centers
12. Invite your biggest buddy over. Ask him to help you move your fridge out of direct sunlight or away from the range. The heat from either will force a refrigerator compressor to gobble up more energy than necessary. A fridge uses up to 2.5 percent more power for each degree the surrounding temperature is above 70 degrees. So moving it out of a 90-degree spot can save you as much as $70 a year. If you can’t move it, at least block any sunny window with curtains and put as big a buffer as you can between it and the range.
13. Use the dishwasher. Doing a full load in your machine is far more efficient than washing the same number of dishes by hand. This is especially true if you have an Energy Star dishwasher, which requires an average of 4 gallons of water per load, compared with the 24 gallons it takes to do them in the sink. Using one will save you 5,000 gallons of water, $40 in utility costs, and 230 hours of your time each year.
Bathroom
14. Turn your toilet tank blue. Or green or red. Pour food coloring into the water in the tank, wait two hours, then check to see if any color has seeped into the bowl. If it has, your tank’s flapper is leaking, either from mineral buildup or worn parts. After you flush the dye away so it doesn’t stain, head to the hardware store for a replacement flapper assembly (then go to thisoldhouse.com for instructions on how to install it). Toilet leaks waste up to a gallon of water per minute. That’s more than 43,000 gallons a month.
15. Run the shower. Place a 1-gallon bucket under the running water, then see how long it takes for it to fill up. If it’s less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with one that sprays 1.5 gallons per minute. That could save as much as 14,600 gallons of water a year–especially if you limit your showers to 10 minutes. It will also save you $22 on your annual water bill, and $150 per year on water heating.
16. Go from scalding to just hot. Turn your water heater’s temperature setting down from the standard 140 degrees F to 120 degrees. Not only will this save you some bucks, it’ll also slow down mineral buildup and corrosion, prolonging the life of your tank. Since a new water heater costs about $900 installed, each additional year of use saves you money as well.
17. End the water torture. One drip per second from a leaky faucet or pipe can waste up to 5 gallons of water a day–and 1,800 gallons a year. While you won’t notice much of an increase on your water bill (around $3 annually), if an overlooked leak soaks through your kitchen floor, you could wind up with a $1,000 repair job–money that could have been saved by simply replacing a 50-cent washer.
Entries
18. Wipe your feet. Equip your exterior doors with a series of mats–or one long “walk-off” mat–so everyone enters with clean shoes. As long as there’s room for five steps on the mats, you’ll drastically reduce the amount of grime tracked in. That means fewer pathogens that cause disease and less chemical cleanup. It will also mean improved indoor air quality, since dirt embedded in a carpet can become airborne when it’s tromped on or agitated by a vacuum.
Basement/laundry
19. Reach behind your clothes washer. Turn down the hot water tap for the washing machine so less goes into the warm-water cycle. Perspiration and most other dirt dislodge best at body temperature, so you don’t need water that’s warmer than 100 degrees. Since most washers simply open both the hot and cold taps to make “warm” water, it may take longer to fill the machine. But you’ll save about $40 annually on your water-heating bill.
20. Spend more time in the basement. Make sure furnace filters in forced-air systems are clean. Dirty furnace filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Cleaning them, or swapping them out each month during the winter, can save you up to 5 percent on your heating costs. Also schedule an annual checkup before the heat comes on to see that the furnace is properly calibrated.
Living areas
21. Listen to your mother. And put on a sweater. That way you can turn down your thermostat this winter. Adjust it by just one degree for eight hours a day, and you could save 1 percent on your monthly heating bills. Do it for 24 hours and save 3 percent. Try setting the temp at 70 degrees during the day and 62 at night during winter (and 78 or higher come summer). Heating and air-conditioning account for nearly half the energy used in our homes, so every little bit less you use makes a dent.
22. Worship the sun. Or at least use it to your advantage. Open blinds or drapes to let in natural solar heat on cold days, then close them once the sun sets, and you can reduce your heating bills by 10 percent. You can also cut your cooling costs by up to 33 percent in the summer by blocking out sunlight with exterior blinds, shutters, or awnings. To keep rooms bright, paint or paper with light or reflective colors.
Source: CNN
Beth