DIY Projects to Save Money at Home
Sometimes, to save money, you have to spend money. Here are some ways that you can spend a little money up front to save yourself money over the long term around your house.
Build a Clothesline
For under $100, you can build a clothesline in your yard to save on your electricity bill. Ours was more like $5 for the cost of the hooks and ropes, it just depends on how do-it-yourself and makeshift you want it to be. Here is a good tutorial for how to put up a clothesline.
Insulate Hot Water Pipes
This project will make your hot water usage more efficient. Insulating your pipes can double the time for water to cool down (therefore requiring less time to heat up with repeat usage) in 1/2″ pipe and triple it for 3/4″ pipe. Cost for insulating 45 feet of pipe and duct tape: $60. Here is a good tutorial for insulating your hot water pipes.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Annual savings for this simple and inexpensive project is around $100/year. Programming it to your family’s schedule will make your home more efficient and lower your electric bill. For every degree you lower your thermostat over an 8 hour period is 1% savings. Lower it 10 degrees overnight and there is 10% savings! Cost: $50.
Make a Rain Barrel
Here is a tutorial on making your own rain barrel. Cost: $20.
A few smaller projects you can do for under $50 are
- Install aerators on faucets - these break up water droplets so you use less water but get just as much power.
- Clean refridgerator coils - when dirty, it takes more energy to cool your food. This is easiest when using a long handled brush.
- Replace weatherstripping - this is a relatively simple project to be done around doors and windows to keep from letting the cold or hot air seep in.
- Make Your Own Cleaning Products - instead of paying for toxic products from the store, soap, baking soda, vinegar or lemon juice can take care of most household cleaning needs. Here is a great list of recipes for making your own cleaning products with stuff you probably already have around.
What are some things you do around your house yourself to try to save money on bills or expenses?
With regards to installing faucet aerators keep in mind there are different levels of water saving aerators that you can install. typical faucet aerators allow 2.5 gallons of water per minute to flow out of your faucet. There are however water saving aerators that allow for 1.5 gallons per minute all the way down to .5 gallons per minute. These all can be found at local hardware stores.
re.this post: i have been meaning to make my own cleaning products for a while and we are out of the toxic kitchen scrubbing stuff so maybe I will do this this weekend!!!! thanks for the list. Re. your last post: I agree that the only way to cope with this if one is on a frugal path is to tune it out and keep doing things they way you were doing them before. It is such a mind-boggling mess.
neimanmarxists last blog post..September Report & Some Thoughts on Surprise Expenses
I’m going to look into the rain barrel idea. Thanks! One of my favorite homemade cleaners is dish detergent and baking soda - especially on my glass top stove! No more expensive cleaner!
Rachels last blog post..Questions? Please!
The rain barrel sounds interesting. I’ve never seen one used in California and I don’t know if we receive enough rain to utilize one. I guess it would be something that neighbors would be curious about. I’ve also heard of people taking buckets into the shower to capture water for plants. This is extreme, but could be utilized to save some water for landscaping.
Good tips. I stumbled.
Scott, I actually love that idea for the shower. My kids are constantly filling tubs and containers and such in the shower and I could reuse that water!
Great post! We’ve done all of these. Our rain barrel system cost a bit more, we got 7-55 gal barrels and hooked them all together and put them up on a platform (built with wood reclaimed from our deck demolition). All-in-all it cost $140 and I have saved so much water this summer! We also leave a bucket in the shower and fill it when “warming” the water, and we have small containers in the sinks to catch grey water from handwashing. All this gets saved and used on plants. Mr Chiots and I will be making a video about building a rain barrel system shortly (we’re videographers by trade) so this winter we’ll have an HD rain barrel instructional video up on my blog for anyone that’s interested.
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There are some great ideas here. I do love my new programmable thermostat. And the neighbors just put in a clothesline.
Looks like we’re using the same blog design by BFA! Makes me feel right at home here.
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I love my programmable thermostat. I had one in my last few houses and they are awesome! We used to forget to turn our heat down when leaving for work or even being around the house. Now it goes off after our house is heated up and we don’t have to think about it.
Happy day,
Melissa
melissa @ the inspired rooms last blog post..My One-House Drive By (Ok, it was a walk by)
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