12/6/12

At the end of the year, many of us go around the house and replace the alkaline batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace them with fresh batteries. This is a great idea. But those batteries are far from dead, and they shouldn't be tossed in the trash. Save those batteries and use them for other items like remote controls or children's toys.

12/5/12

Outdoor holiday lights are a festive way to bring illuminating charm to your home and neighborhood. But even energy-efficient string lights should be turned off late at night. Not only do they still use energy, but nocturnal birds often get confused by the bright lights. One easy way to turn off the lights is to use your smartphone. The app X10 Controller can turn off the decorations with the push of a button. You can also use a timer that automatically turns your outdoor light on and off each day.

12/4/12

Buying a digital camera gets rid of the film, the film packaging and the chemical processing to develop film. But one downfall? The rechargeable battery can have a short life span. One way to extend the life of your rechargeable battery is to turn off the instant photo previewing option on your camera. The LCD monitor uses a lot of energy, which drains the battery. By viewing photos only when you're ready, you'll save the battery.