Get started in the solar energy revolution – save money on utilities and help the earth with DIY projects.
Set up a small system of solar panels to power up your mobile office by charging your electronics and tools.
Be clear about your goals for solar energy, and picture how you’re going to use it, before you get started with an installation.
Energy Efficient Appliances and Light Bulbs
In fact, the transition to more sustainable solutions in your home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming endeavour: with a swap or two of conventional light bulbs for LED technology or smart power strips that maximise energy savings by detecting when your TV, gaming system or whirring Kitchen Aid is in standby mode, your apartment or house could quickly make an impression.
This DIY project couldn’t be simpler: it uses basic parts to generate power from sunlight charging your device. Connect positive and negative sides of the solar panel to + and – sides of whatever you’re powering; throw in a fuse between them, and that’s all there is to it.
Plugging electrical appliances and adapters out while not in use saves electricity – up to $150 every year on your electricity bill.
Solar Panels and Wind Turbines
Solar energy is a source of renewable and eco-friendly power that is less carbon-intensive, slashing your carbon footprint a lot. Using the sun’s glare to generate electricity through solar panels or wind turbines that turn renewable kinetic energy into electrical energy cuts environmental impact and can save homeowners money on electric bills in the long run.
AreaMaybe minimam, solar panels and wind turbines need some space for installation but they are very efficient way to produce clean energy sources. Solar panels can convert radiant sun light into electricity, which convert power to run home appliances, notebooks and laptops,&…
This is despite the fact that you might feel your DIY panoply is limited to building flatpack Scandinavian furniture. Installing solar panels might seem beyond your skills (it is a potentially messy business with many moving parts, unlike furniture assembly), but there are many guides online that demystify it. With a bit of research and a receptive mindset, it won’t seem so daunting.
Reclaimed Materials
Another way that you can go green in your home is to buy recycled materials and reuse what you can. Get renewable flooring such as linoleum, bamboo and cork, which release fewer VOCs. Also, get paint that has lower VOC content to score more savings.
Some of the upgrades may seem overwhelming or expensive due to the impact your home has on the environment. However, there are some upgrades you can do without spending too much money or making major changes. For instance, insulating your rooms and eliminating cold spots or drafts will save you energy costs and even the money you spend on these costs.
Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs is another cheap and fast upgrade that saves money while making a big difference. One or two of your bulbs can be replaced with LEDs to both reduce energy and money, all in one. Another larger scale ambition is to install a solar electricity system. That cuts utility bills dramatically and makes you more energy self-reliant, but it also takes lots of research and financial planning, and you need to know how to use power tools and how to wire electricity, which can cost between $7000-$18000 (before the current 30% federal tax credit) and take many weekends to install successfully. For more information on solar power projects of all scales, check out Solar Power, a section devoted to articles, plans and guides for dozens of projects that will keep you building all year long.
Renewable Energy Systems
As energy costs keep rising, there is even more noticeable interest in do-it-yourself (DIY) power systems that run on renewable energy. Although DIY solar projects could prove harder to install than a professional installation, they might prove much less expensive than hiring a contractor to do the work for you.
These milestones – setting goals and doing a load analysis – are part of any DIY adventure. This entails adding up wattage figures for each appliance, TV, light and tools such as the refrigerator and light bulb, then estimate monthly power usage. Ask yourself which of those items consume power continuously (refrigerator and light bulb), and which do so only when put to use (power tools or wood drying kiln ).
Finally, once you have identified a few types of project, check your technical ability. For example, PV solar panels require a certain level of technical training for safety reasons, whereas gaining fresh eggs is much less demanding. Consider your time constraints and level of commitment, so you find something that suits your lifestyle: successful projects provide a lifelong learning experience and a rewarding sense of achievement that lasts a good many decades after you have finished.