Use this page to find actions that your household has completed or plans to complete. Browse the categories on the left to find actions for the Power Saver, Green Leader, or Renewable Star Challenge.
Once you have signed in, you can click Add to My Challenge to add an action to your To Do List, Already Completed to mark an action as complete, or Not Applicable if the action does not apply to you.
Once signed in, you can rate each of the actions you have completed.
The highest rated action appear under the Most Popular Actions category.
ACTIONS
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
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Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Test and seal leaking ductsIn typical houses, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. If you have return duct leaks, you could be pumping “bad air” directly into your living space. Leaky ducts also cause indoor air quality problems because of pressure imbalances. This can cause unhealthy air (laden with dirt, dust, pollen, allergens, and other contaminants) to be sucked into your home. Pressure imbalances can also cause back drafting in combustion appliances such as furnaces, wood stoves, and gas ranges. When this happens, you risk exposure to carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. Search online for a company that can provide diagnostic testing and servicing for ductwork.
Learn more about duct sealing from the ENERGY STAR®, and Aeroseal
You can also seal your ducts and filter rack yourself from the outside. Watch this video to see how.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
7
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Replace old heating and/or cooling system components with an efficient/ENERGY STAR® certified alternativeIf a professional evaluation reveals that it’s time to upgrade your heating or cooling system, it is worth researching the many diverse options available today—air, water, and geothermal heat pumps; wood, pellet, and corn stoves; natural gas and oil fueled furnaces and boilers; radiant floor and panel heating; air and liquid active solar heating, central or ductless mini-split air conditioners—to name a few. Read the Energy Savers heating and cooling guide, enter “home heating systems” in your internet browser, or work with an HVAC contractor to determine the right system for your home
An ENERGY STAR® air conditioner can help you to achieve up to 27% energy savings per year and up to $1,000 in lifetime energy savings. Utility company or manufacturer rebates may also be available, such as Potomac Edison appliance rebates.
Potomac Edison offers HVAC rebates for high-efficiency central air conditioners,air-to-air heat pumps,ductless mini-split heat pumps, adn Energy Star geothermal heat pumps.
Washington Gas has rebates for natural gas furnaces, programmable thermostats, and WiFi enabled programmable thermostats.
Feb 11 Lisa Orr
If you purchase an Energy Star appliance, such as an air conditioner, over Presidents's Day Weekend, your purchase is exempt from Maryland Sales Tax! (http://www.wtop.com/41/3225744/Energy-Star-appliances-exempt-from-Md-sales-tax-Presidents-Day-weekend)
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
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Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Open and close drapes to help heat and cool roomsIn the summer, close drapes and blinds during the hottest parts of the day to keep the sun from heating your rooms. Standard window blinds can be quite effective at keeping your house cool in summer, reducing heat gain by up to 45%.
In the winter, open drapes and blinds during the day to allow the sun to warm your home, and close drapes and blinds during the evening to keep the heat inside. Conventional drapes or curtains reduce heat loss from a room by only 10%. Convection carries hot air between the curtain and the window, where the air loses heat, falls below the bottom of the curtain (and out the sides) and draws in more hot air above. Drapes or blinds that are close to the window and snug on all sides can reduce heat loss by as much as 25%.
For more information, visit GreenEnergyEfficientHomes.com.
Jun 30 Mark Bradley
Front upstairs bedrooms (east facing) get most sun/heat in the morning. Added filter to windows to reduce heat load in the summer.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
2
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Use insulated shades or window quiltsA lot of heat is lost during the night through window glazing (the glass portion of the window). You can retain heat in your rooms by using insulated window shades or window quilts. Insulated shades can also keep heat from entering your rooms in the summer. There are many products to chose from; try searching Amazon.com or Google.com. Or if you are frugally-minded, learn how to make your own window quilts, make your own insulated Roman shades, or make your own solar heat catcher.
Learn more about how window shades save energy at GreenEnergyEfficientHomes.com.
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Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
5
Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
A key denotes a renter-friendly action.Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action. Free < $100 $100-$500 $501-$2000 > $2000 Stop fireplace draftsIf you have a fireplace in a well-insulated home, but leave the damper open, you could be increasing your energy use and costs by 30%. Winter air leakage through fireplaces can increase winter energy bills by $500 or more! Chimneys draw rising warm air out of your home which is replaced by cold air. Close your dampers or install a low-cost inflatable pillow in your chimney; it can be removed before fireplace use, and reinstalled after. Visit batticdoor.com or search for “inflatable dampers” with your internet browser to learn about options.
Watch this video to learn how to install a chimney balloon.
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