Blog.DoDesignDIY.com

The effectiveness of Solar and related energy-saving methods will depend on your local climate, the size and layout of your home and garden, and the season of the year.

The following methods generally give the most bang for the buck and (most of them) are amenable to DIY installation.

1. Solar pool water heating.
Download “Solar Water Heaters for Swimming Pools” (PDF) from this page.
DIY version: A long hose or flexible plastic water pipe (from Home stores), connected to your pool pump, and spread out on the sunniest part of your lawn or roof can heat your pool and save you money in the summer. A pool cover can conserve that heat overnight.

2. Rooftop solar hot water heating.
Download “Solar Water Heaters” (PDF) from this page.
DIY version: A long hose or flexible plastic water pipe (from Home stores), connected into your hot water heater feed pipe, and spread out on the sunniest part of your roof can heat or preheat your water. An insulated water heater tank cover can conserve the heat gained during the day. In many climates, this would only be effective in areas with milder winters.

3. Ground-coupled heat pumps
Download “Ground-coupled Heat Pumps” (PDF) from this page.
This can save you money all year, for heating and cooling, and is relatively expensive, but can save you more money than solar electric panels, particularly if you install the ground-coupled version. If your house is in need of a new heater or A/C, you would be able to install a smaller heater and A/C with a heat exchanger.
DIY version: Very limited DIY.

4. Added (super-)insulation
If you are planning to renovate your house, consider adding as much insulation as possible. In some cooler (or all) rooms, if you can spare the slight space lost, instead of replacing the wallboard, consider surfacing the entire (exterior) inner walls with 2+ inch thick high density polystyrene foam panels (construction adhesive them to the old wall surface) over thin foil reflective insulation, then adhere plasterboard or other wall facing to the foam. This would require relocating (or installing new) electrical work and adjusting the baseboards, window and door frames for the added thickness. Advantages: You do not have to remove the old wallboard and this can eliminate air leaks.
Also add insulation to your attic.
DIY version: All or much of this can be DIY (subject to your local building codes).

5. Add a Greenhouse room to your south facing wall
Download “Fact Sheet- Passive Solar Design for the Home” (PDF) from this page.
This can be costly, but the space and effect is much more satisfying than the other alternatives, and much more useful than an outside deck. For maximum effectiveness, use a thick concrete underfloor over insulation (absorbs heat in the day, releases it at night), and design the roof so that it shades the windows from the high summer sun. Consider an insulated window shade or panel system for use during the worst part of winter.
DIY version: Much of this can be DIY installation of a prefab greenhouse (subject to your local building codes).

6. Solar Electric Roof Panels
Download “Fact Sheet- Introduction to PV Systems” (PDF) from this page.
I include this because it is very popular now. Depending on your location, however, the costs of the panels and accompanying equipment are high, and the payback may take up to ten years. After checking climate (sunny days) records for your area, consider trying out a small system and adding to it over time, as the systems will slowly become less expensive.

7. Save money on food costs
Take a look at the “Garden Machine” plans HERE, and download the PDF instructions. This is Solar Power at its tastiest and entirely a DIY project.

Nowadays, we’re almost all wishing for an electric car or a magic carpet. Stop wishing and start doing. For the basics, here’s an excellent intro to the possibilities from TreeHugger.com. Use a kit, hire a high school grease monkey, or take it to a conversion shop. Next, do a Google on ‘Convert auto to electric’ for more info. The results may not look like the pic below, but it will definitely put a smile on your face.

Have the technical skills? Tools? Space? Buy used compact cars, convert and sell them locally as low-cost utility cars. You’ll have to check first on Red Tape and Regulations, but this could be the small business you need or want. The demand is high!

Make your own low-cost 11×14 inch Backlit Picture Frame that displays your photos and pictures as vividly as your computer monitor can. 8.5 x 11 Inkjet paper photo prints done on your computer printer slip in easily without tools. This is an effective backlit image frame that can hang or stand on a table, in either orientation. Hard-to-find print media is NOT required, and it costs about $30 in parts.

Get more info and access the Acrobat PDF illustrated instructions HERE, or buy it, ready-to-use, at our Store.