In Brief
Solar electric

A tip from Treehugger.com on how to go green at home:

You think making your own bread at home feels good? There's nothing quite like the feeling of making your own electricity from the sun, wind or water. Installing a home alternative energy system is becoming more and more costeffective as technology improves and assistance programs spread. Photovoltaic, or solar electric, systems are the most common. Depending on your available space, local climate, budget and local utility, a solar electric system can provide all the energy needed for a typical home (and possibly more). Check with your local power utility about subsidy programs or other available programs. Small, homesized, wind turbines are a rapidly growing field. These can be pricey little whirleygigs, but depending on your local wind conditions, it can take a big chunk out of your energy use and replace the dirty with clean.

Chop firewood

1. Begin by assembling a pile of logs. The size of your wood stove or fireplace will often dictate the maximum length of your logs, ideally 16- 18 inches. Select your first log, and place it squarely on the surface of your chopping block. Try to situate your material so that it stands as close to 90 degrees as possible.

2. Placing your feet solidly underneath you in an athletic stance, with your left foot slightly in front of your right (vice versa for left-handed people), place one hand at the end of the ax handle, and hold strong close to the ax head with your other. Slowly bring the ax back away from your hip, raise it in an arc so as to be over your right shoulder.

3. Keeping your eyes on the center of the log, swing the ax head down squarely toward the center of the log while sliding your right hand toward the end of the ax handle where it meets the left hand. A firm grip on the ax handle and a smooth arc towards the log will provide the best results.

- www.ehow.com