5 Energy Saving Tips for Your Workshop

1. Unplug first your power tool to figure out which cordless tools like drill/drivers get the most use. Almost all tools that have nickel cadmium (NiCad) batteries hold some charges for up to a year. They lose 15 to 20 percent of their juice each month but can power up again in a few of hours. However, if you use newer tools with lithium ion batteries (LIB) only lose 2 to 5 percent of their juice each month; even though you haven’t charged them for months they’ll be ready to go.

2. Spread the sawdust gathered by your dust collection system to the floor. Wet them down and then push them around using a stiff broom to remove the remaining rubbish from your concrete garage or workshop floor. This mix is the same as the power-guzzling shop vacuum but it doesn’t swirl into the air.


3. When you use incandescent bulbs (with dimmers or three-ways) on multiple fixtures of your workshop, increase the brightness of your lights. One 100-Watt incandescent bulb emits more light compared to two 60-Watt bulbs combined. It only requires 17% less power. The 100-Watt bulb is twice brighter than a four 25-Watt bulbs but still uses the same energy. Just be sure your bulb doesn’t exceed the maximum wattage recommended for each fixture.

4. Save the plastic transparent container of your leftover take-out. It can’t be recycled in most municipal waste system, instead you can use them to organize your nails, screws, and leftover paints. These see-through containers can be stack neatly and display contents for you to find right away what you’re looking for. Their tight seal can also help preserve solvents. You can also double the thin containers for more durability.


5. After cleaning oil-based finishes from brushes and tools, you can still save the paint thinner that you used by allowing the dirty solvent to sit overnight. When the sludge settled at the bottom of the jar, a layer of clear thinner on top is left. Using a clean jar, carefully pour the clear thinner into it. Reseal tightly for future use. Do not pour the sludge into the sink or into a street gutter but at the nearest hazardous-waste-disposal site.

Clean Your House in less than 30 minutes

KITCHEN

1. After doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher, wipe down the sink for thirty (30) seconds.

2. Wipe down the stove top and counters. It will only take one (1) minute each to finish the task.

3. Use sweep, sniffer or vacuum to clean the floor for two (2) minutes.


BATHROOM

Make cleaning the basin an everyday routine just like washing your hands for two (2) minutes. But before throwing away the re-moistened recycled wipes, get the most out of it by cleaning around the edges or the tub and the toilet.

1. Wipe out the sink for thirty (30) seconds.

2. Wipe out the toilet seat and rim for fifteen (15) seconds.

3. Use a brush to clean the toilet bowl for fifteen (15) seconds.

4. Wipe the mirror and faucet for fifteen (15) seconds.

5. Use squeegee to the show door for thirty (30) seconds.

6. After every use, spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist for fifteen (15) seconds.


BEDROOM



Make your bed right before or after your morning shower. By doing this, it will inspire you to deal with other messes right away. Even though smoothing sheets and plumping pillow might not be a high priority when you’re rushing to go to work but at the end of the day it will all be worth it when you slip back under the unruffled covers.

1. For two (2) minutes, make the bed.

2. For four (4) minutes, fold or hang clothes and put away jewelry.

3. For thirty (30) seconds, straighten out the night-table surface.

FAMILY ROOM, LIVING ROOM, FOYER

Your living room will never look tidy as long as your sofa is not arranged. So start with your sofa. Once you’ve fluffed the pillows and folded the throws, you’re halfway done. If you put on your player and pop a CD while you dust, you should be able to finish cleaning up the whole room by the time the third track ended.


1. With a handheld vacuum, pick up crumbs and dust bunnies that are scattered all over for one (1) minute.

2. Fluff cushions and fold throw pillows after use for two (2) minutes.

3. Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints for one (1) minute.

4. Straighten everything on your coffee-table like books and magazines and throw out old newspapers and put away CDs and videos for two (2) minutes.




roSEO, an SEO company in the Philippines, currently working for Clear it Waste London.