[ALF]

So often there is little to replace a lose fitting door, but here are a few suggestions. The door stop that the door closes against usually receives the tape you are suggesting falls off, but , The thickness of this can be changed by laminating/adding addition thickness to the stops thickness depending on weather the door touches it tight, or even if it does, if there is a gap showing light or if the contact gap is not uniform on the strike addressed. Some nail on seals with small brads are available and often address most of these solutions when installed tight against a stationary door. The Lock Strike plates can also be adjusted for a firmer fit to the Door Stop. My problem is a small door for a big hole and gaps are below and beside the strike side of the door. If the door is not used, a cylindrical foam is available in different thickness , or bubble wrap, and they can be used to fill the voids. A nail on door sweep often used for screen doors can sometimes close off the draft if the door is above the floor enough and grade between open and shut positions allows. This type of internal draft barrier is often sightly however can function well. Not all the answers, but a few that have worked. Try the door stop 1 thicker 2 Add on to thickness with a door stop with a seal( this often covers the door gap where the strike point of contact is uneven, Strike plates. To a carpenter, the portal is point of reference, shared by both sides to shut out the otherhttp://www.aboutmyplanet.com/communi...ilies/wink.gif

[Danielle C]

That is a little known tip. My husband is a finisher. his crew only started doing that very method when building new homes unbeknowst to the new owners. Every bit helps. What a great tip to share.

[ninikins]

This is not so much an unusual tip but one that is rarely heeded, it's simple! Just make sure food is completely cooled before placing it in your refridgerator. It saves energy cooling it down. It's surprising how few people don't do this.

[Timetrvlr]

Redofthelost posted:


When I drive I try to step on the gas pedal as little as possible, especially while going downhill (though without going too far under the speed limit). I drive a van with mpg of 20miles/gallon and I spend about 40 dollars a month on gas. I'm not sure how much it saves, but every bit counts! (When traveling to closer destinations I ride my bike).

This is a great money-saving tip! If you consciously drive within the speed limit, are careful about rapid acceleration, and drive ahead so you can ease off the accelerator when approaching a red light or stalled traffic, the savings are considerable.

Another automobile fuel-saving strategy is to have your vehicle serviced regularly so it operates efficiently.

[Timetrvlr]

I thought ALF posted some great ideas on dealing with gaps around outside doors.

I found a great product this Fall when I was sealing around our doors. It's a stiff vinyl V-shaped tape. One side is coated with a super-strong adhesive and secures it to the door jamb. The other side fits against the door sealing the gap. When the door closes on the tape, it simply presses flatter to seal the gap. It works great!

[peachy]

That is a totally awesome idea! Cheap little thing that could end up saving a house a ton of money and waste of energy!

[Reverend Blair]

Unusual? Let the dogs sleep in bed with you, then you can turn the heat way down. Make your own beer and store it in mini-kegs instead of bottles. Buy a small house.

My biggest tip though is to buy a vehicle that's the right size. That doesn't always mean smaller either. When I started doing renos, I had a regular-sized half-ton. Not only did I destroy the suspension, but I often had to make two trips...one with materials and another with tools. I bought a 3/4 ton crew cab, ripped out the back seat and built a tool shelf back there. Suddenly I only had to make 1 trip. Since the larger, heavier truck had the same engine (exactly the same engine...I moved it from the old truck to the new truck) the mileage hardly changed at all.

Even with all that though, when I went to do estimates...which generally require a tape measure and a clip board...I took a small car with a four cylinder engine.

[peachy]

The idea of getting the right sized car is actually a really good point. I know we always discuss fuel efficiency, etc. But by not having to make a second trip definitely cuts down on emissions, etc. Nice.

[Reverend Blair]

While we're on vehicles, I should mention the three R's too. Unless you are buying a much more efficient vehicle, or your old one is completely toasted, you can fix the old one, or fix up another old one, with used or remanufactured parts. That will save you money and reduce the energy used in building new vehicles.

[EviesEarth]

Sounds silly, but we got a coffee press to use in place of our espresso machine. Of course this is one of many changes to save energy at home.
A big one, was to teach my kids to turn the light off when they are not in their rooms.