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homestead – Page 2 – Homesteader Depot

Tag: homestead

  • How to Reduce Electricity Use

    How to Reduce Electricity Use

    Are you using too much energy in your house? The answer for most people is going to be yes. Often, people are wasting energy without even realizing it. If you are a homesteader, and you have electricity through the grid – or through solar power for that matter – you have to take steps to reduce the amount of electricity you use to make your home more efficient. It will also help to reduce the cost. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to save on your electricity and these simple tips will help you get started.

    One of the first things you will want to do is unplug. Many people keep most of their appliances and electronics plugged-in throughout the day, even when they are not using them. You might not realize it, but even when the item is in not on, it is still drawing electricity. That is wasted electricity because it isn’t doing anything for you. By simply unplugging them when you are not using them, you can save a substantial amount of energy each month.

    Another way to lower your electric bill is to upgrade the appliances you have. If you have old appliances, they are not likely energy efficient. This means they are sucking away far more electricity than a newer model will. If the appliance is on its last legs anyway, do yourself a favor and upgrade.

    You probably heard your parents say it when you were a kid, and now it’s your turn. If you leave a room, turn off the lights. Many people leave the lights on throughout their house, even when they are unoccupied. It might seem like a small thing, but over time, you will be wasting a substantial amount of electricity.

    As you can see, the tips for saving energy and electricity are really quite simple. You can put them to use today.

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  • Getting the Homestead Ready for the Winter

    Getting the Homestead Ready for the Winter

    Days are getting shorter and nights are getting colder. Are you and your homestead ready for the changing season? Here are a few tips on getting ready for the winter so that you don’t get caught out in the cold.

    Preparing the Home
    The first preparation should be firewood. If you don’t already have a nice big pile of wood cut and dry, then you are going to go buy a cord of wood or have it delivered. Locate gaps and cracks that will cause drafts, fill them with caulk or foam to help insulate your home. If your home is large your fuel demands are going to be high, to help conserve your fuel close off unnecessary rooms to concentrate the heat. Give it a good cleaning and out the mouse traps because your home is about to look much more inviting than it did in the summer.
    Preparing the Garden
    As your crops finish up, prepare each bed that is done for the winter. Add compost and a thick layer of mulch to insulate the ground and provide food for the organisms that keep your soil healthy. Take some compost and soil inside where it won’t freeze if you plan on doing some indoor early spring planting.
    Preparing Animals
    Make sure that your animals have a warm place to sleep. If it snows in area, make sure that the structure will stand up to a layer of snow on the roof. If you have pigs, or chickens that are older and unproductive layers, now is a good time to start butchering them since it will save you feed costs and the meat will be easier to process in the cold weather. Make sure they have lots of straw on the ground, and consider leaving in their manure since the decomposition will give off heat.

    Winter is inevitable, and it’s not too far off. Prepare now so that you can enjoy it instead of suffering through it.

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