Читать книгу The Self-Sufficiency Handbook - Alan Bridgewater - Страница 17

“Make do and mend” comes from a British expression that arose in the time of World War II to encourage people to repair and reuse items that were broken or torn rather than replacing them. The make-do-and-mend self-sufficiency solution is aimed at four groups of people: (1) those who by default choose green technology only because they need to cut costs; (2) those who buy into green technology because it is fashionable; (3) those who are very interested in going green but must stay where they are and make the best of what they have; (4) and those who are inspired to move to a new home and property and do their best to be self-sufficient but are still forced to take it little by little. The make-do-and-mend philosophy involves a step-by-step DIY approach that helps you evaluate what you have—no matter the size of your house—and then make a series of changes to cut energy costs.

Make-Do-and-Mend Step-by-Step Plan

• Install good, heavy curtains on all windows and exterior doors. Open the curtains during the day and close them at night to keep the heat in. Wear layered clothes when the weather is cold.

• Replace all single-pane windows with double- or even triple-pane units.

• Reduce the number of exterior doors.

• Insulate the attic and all cavity walls. If you have solid walls, add insulation to the inside or outside faces.

• If you live in the northern hemisphere, reduce the number or size of north-facing windows and increase the size and number of south-facing windows; vice versa if you live in the southern hemisphere.

• Install a wood-burning stove and remove any gas and electric fireplaces. Install vents and ducts so that you can channel excess heat around the house.

• Install a glassed-in porch or conservatory at every exterior door. Install vents at floor and ceiling height so you can direct hot air from the glass structures into the house as well as create a cooling circulating system.

• Install solar collectors on your roof so you can preheat your cooking and heating water.

• Modify your water system to save and reuse gray water (wastewater from showers/baths, sinks, and washing machines that has not come into contact with fecal matter). One example of gray water use is to use your bath water to flush the toilets.