ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

ENERGY-SAVING IDEAS

CURTAIN CALL
On sunny days, open south- facing drapes to let in the rays from that big solar heater in the sky. If you have large windows that don't receive direct sun, keep the drapes closed.

PUSH TECHNOLOGY
It's a cruel rule of physics that heat rises just when you need it most. But adjusting your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise will drive it back down to ground level.

BRIGHT IDEA
Install compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Sure, they're more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they pay for themselves-lasting between six and 10 times longer than their traditional counterparts.

COLD STORAGE
Contributor Lorna Reed suggests placing a bucket in the shower to collect the cold water you waste while waiting for it to heat up. You could save as much as five gallons-which you can use to hydrate houseplants.

SILVER SCREEN
This deflection device comes straight from the superheroes. Increase the efficiency of cast-iron radiators by taping heavy-duty aluminum foil to a piece of cardboard, with the shiny side of the foil facing out. Place your reflector behind the radiator, and the heat waves will bounce off the foil into the room instead of being absorbed by the wall.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND
Uncover hidden drafts around doors and windows by wetting your fingertips and running them around the frames-or hold up a tissue and see if it waves at you.

SEAL OF APPROVAL
Should you find a pesky draft, insulate moving parts (door and frame) with weather stripping. Fill leaks between nonmoving parts (window frame and wall) with caulking.

UNDER THE WIRES
Unplug small kitchen appliances, televisions, and audio/video equipment when not in use (or plug them into a power strip that you can turn off and on). Even your coffee grinder uses electricity when it's not powered up.

RUBBER SOLE
Don't have any weather stripping lying around? Not to fear. Instead, cut an old bike tire tube in half, so that it's no longer a circle. Then split it open lengthwise to form a thick band of rubber. Nail a length of the tube along the inside bottom edge of a drafty door, so that it sweeps the floor as the door closes.

STOP THE DRAFT
Cut off the arms of worn-out sweaters, fill them with (uncooked) beans, and sew the ends shut to make draft stoppers for leaky windows and doors.