Top Green Stories
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- Upgraded electrical system from 100 Amps...
- I,m delighted to find this site. There a...
- Recent I completed construction on a new...
News from the Green
Homes Challenge
Green Homes Challenge
Jun 24, 2021
The time has never been better to add solar or an EV charger to your h...
Green Homes Challenge
Feb 5, 2020
The Frederick County Sustainability Commission is accepting nomination...
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Green Stories
Verma Household
Apr 2, 2024
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Ali Household test
Apr 1, 2024
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Ali Household test
Apr 1, 2024
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Verma Household
Jan 25, 2024
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test check
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Kennedy Household
Apr 22, 2023
I am a new grandma and want to make changes so that I can teach my gra... Read more
I am a new grandma and want to make changes so that I can teach my grandchildren how to take care of the environment.
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iang Household
Apr 13, 2023
Good for our community. Read more
Good for our community.
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SULLAM Household
Nov 28, 2022
I do the power saver items listed 54 points Read more
I do the power saver items listed 54 points
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kaluza Household
Nov 25, 2022
we want to do our part. Read more
we want to do our part.
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Lyons Household
Jan 2, 2021
We built our home back in late 2006 and move in Feb 2007. What's uniq... Read more
We built our home back in late 2006 and move in Feb 2007. What's unique is that this home uses SIPS panels in place of studded exterior walls. This makes for a tighter fit thus reducing air leakage which lowers energy costs to heat and cool. We heat both would a dual fuel forced air unit and a wood stove to offset costs. We have an 8.745 kw PV solar array installed in 2014 that produces enough electricity to zero out our monthly bill. We also collect all rainwater off the roof and attached garage store it in 2 (1000) gal tanks buried, to do all of our outdoor watering. We compost all of kitchen scraps and use that to fertilize our garden and of course take advantage of the curbside recycling thus eliminating a need for regular trash pickup. My wife and I are interested in learning how to reduce our footprint further and look forward to learning from others.
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Rall Household
Dec 16, 2020
Mobilizefrederick.org is the new site to learn about and contribute to... Read more
Mobilizefrederick.org is the new site to learn about and contribute to slowing global warming and preparing for its effects in Frederick County.
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Barnes Household
Jun 23, 2020
Recently installed new shower heads and facets with water saver attach... Read more
Recently installed new shower heads and facets with water saver attachments
Replacing burned out light bulbs with leds
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Green Homes Challenge
Apr 22, 2019
Good morning! We're here to help! Do you need assistance with the Gr... Read more
Good morning! We're here to help! Do you need assistance with the Green Homes Challenge or the Green Stories message board?
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Kevin Anderson Household
Apr 23, 2018
Looking to make my "new" "first" home greener for myself, community, a... Read more
Looking to make my "new" "first" home greener for myself, community, and environment.
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Kraus Household
Feb 20, 2017
I am currently undergoing a kitchen renovation. All materials that wi... Read more
I am currently undergoing a kitchen renovation. All materials that will be removed, and not recycled through my daughter, will be taken by my contractor to the ReStore to be used. reused.
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Chan Household
Aug 21, 2016
Among our many blessings is being accepted in this Power Saver Retrofi... Read more
Among our many blessings is being accepted in this Power Saver Retrofits program. While waiting for our audit, our air conditioning died in July when we were having the worst heat and humidity. We were very impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of Matt McDaniel and Kyle Heister who did out audit. Hagerstown Heating & Cooling was our contractor, who also did a phenomenal job for us. Because we had to work, we were not able to always be at home when they came, but granted them access to do what they had to do. Being able to do that showed how trustworthy these people were. We had a good experience from start to finish. We now have AC that works very well, and we thank everyone involved who made this happen for us.
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SULLAM Household
Jul 13, 2016
I always turn off lights in rooms not used. I unplug my computer so i... Read more
I always turn off lights in rooms not used. I unplug my computer so it doesn't run all the time. We wash with cold water in the washing machine.
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Marcello Household
Apr 7, 2016
Good Day
Bought a fixer upper.Boy oh boy needs lots of fixing. My obje... Read more
Good Day
Bought a fixer upper.Boy oh boy needs lots of fixing. My objective is to focus on the green space for better atmosphere and to reduce my consumption of resources.
Go Go Green,
Mike
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Pick Household
Mar 3, 2016
February 2016:
Replaced leaking shower faucet moen cartridge.
replaced... Read more
February 2016:
Replaced leaking shower faucet moen cartridge.
replaced leaky ring in utility sink faucet.
Got compost bucket for under the sink
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Chapman
Feb 22, 2016
On 12/14/15 had 24 solar panels installed by Sustainable Energy System... Read more
On 12/14/15 had 24 solar panels installed by Sustainable Energy Systems. I am thrilled to finally be part of the solution of saving energy and helping the environment.
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LEWIS Household
Feb 9, 2016
INSTALLED SOLAR PANELS IN JANUARY 2016, UP AND RUNNING FEB 2016 Read more
INSTALLED SOLAR PANELS IN JANUARY 2016, UP AND RUNNING FEB 2016
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Groth Household
Oct 15, 2015
I own a hybrid car. Over time I am finding ways to drive and continue... Read more
I own a hybrid car. Over time I am finding ways to drive and continue to see miles per gallon increase.
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Brady Household
Sep 2, 2015
Added a conservation garden and new tree. Reduce storm water runoff! Read more
Added a conservation garden and new tree. Reduce storm water runoff!
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dvorak Household
Aug 25, 2015
Trying composting for the first time...great way to get rid of some of... Read more
Trying composting for the first time...great way to get rid of some of the "garbage." Not too hard of a change to make.
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Sunshine household
Aug 21, 2015
try to cut back on heat and coolant Read more
try to cut back on heat and coolant
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The Vasseur-Hoffman Family
Apr 17, 2015
We are currently in the process of building a "near zero" home in Brun... Read more
We are currently in the process of building a "near zero" home in Brunswick, MD. Modular pieces have been built and will be placed on the land beginning of May, with a move in date of July 1st. Action Items in this challenge was a nice check list for us when planning and designing this house. Instead of updating and retrofitting an older home, we are making sure everything is done from start to finish of this home build. It is being built as a passive solar home.
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Ward Household
Mar 26, 2015
We collect our shower water in a 5 gallon bucket as it's warming and t... Read more
We collect our shower water in a 5 gallon bucket as it's warming and then use it to flush the toilet, water plants and as water for our cats.
The Gurzick's
Feb 28, 2015
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1000142412788732378970457844317393245009... Read more
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323789704578443173932450096
Our green story made the cover of the real estate section of the Wall Street Journal
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Moore-Deliyannis Household
Feb 25, 2015
Getting ready for tonight's Green Home Challenge recognition event! I... Read more
Getting ready for tonight's Green Home Challenge recognition event! I am looking forward to seeing our certified households and recognizing them for their accomplishments- including an estimated $840,000 savings per year in utility costs! Plus we are able to give out some great prizes thanks to our event sponsors.
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Norris Household
Feb 9, 2015
After making energy improvements we put in aprox $14,000 of solar elec... Read more
After making energy improvements we put in aprox $14,000 of solar electric (after gov incentives) and we are now net zero with no electric bill. Our house is all electric so with the sale of the energy certificates earned by the solar our home actually pays us to live there!
Butler Household
Nov 1, 2014
Installed a 10.3KWp solar system during July 21014 Read more
Installed a 10.3KWp solar system during July 21014
David & Jan Barrow
Oct 28, 2014
Recent I completed construction on a new home for my daughter. We int... Read more
Recent I completed construction on a new home for my daughter. We intentionally spent nearly $10,000 on energy improvement to reduce the monthly reoccurring cost of operating the house. Comparing there new home to the previous home, they are saving $130 a month. The saving will pay for the improvements in 6.5 years. The nice thing is this house is so much more comfortable without any hot spots in the summer or cold rooms in the winter.
Johnson-Mead Household
Oct 5, 2014
So excited to see how the small decisions we make everyday can add up... Read more
So excited to see how the small decisions we make everyday can add up and make you feel proud of your lifestyle!
Kremers Household
Jul 16, 2014
Planting Carroll Creek with 1,000 plants to mitigate algae growth in l... Read more
Planting Carroll Creek with 1,000 plants to mitigate algae growth in lieu of algaecides or expensive power hungry pump systems has been under way for two years. Join us at Color on the creek.com
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Leach Household
Jun 28, 2014
Upgraded electrical system from 100 Amps to 200 Amps; replaced wall A/... Read more
Upgraded electrical system from 100 Amps to 200 Amps; replaced wall A/C unit with central A/C; added 8" additional attic insulation; added attic exhaust fan to roof which makes attic much cooler in summer and lowers A/C costs; replaced wooden windows which had lead paint sashes with double-glazed aluminum windows; replaced back door and back storm door; added heavy living room drapes which keeps both heat and cold outside; thanks to Frederick County Refrigerator Exchange Program and am in the midst of replacing 1986 fridge with a much more energy efficient refrigerator
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Leach Household
Jun 28, 2014
Add my green stories here... Read more
Add my green stories here...
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Whitlock Household
Apr 16, 2014
I,m delighted to find this site. There are plenty of energy saving tip... Read more
I,m delighted to find this site. There are plenty of energy saving tips I can start on now and maybe next winter I won,t need to wear 3 layers clotclothing in the house
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The Cottingham-Orr Household
Feb 11, 2014
If you purchase an Energy Star appliance over Presidents's Day Weekend... Read more
If you purchase an Energy Star appliance 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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Anderson Farm
Jan 21, 2014
It's great that Potomac Edison bills are down to about $35 since insta... Read more
It's great that Potomac Edison bills are down to about $35 since installing solar panels, down from over $100 before solar. Our insulation upgrade has been worth doing. both for comfort and energy savings. However, we did not receive the rebate from Potomac Edison for insulation and sealing retrofits in over a year since we applied, and nothing from the Maryland Energy Administration Residential Clean Energy grant program for solar in over 6 months, since we applied. :)
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The Cliber Household
Nov 15, 2013
We are so excited to be certified Power Savers and are now close to be... Read more
We are so excited to be certified Power Savers and are now close to becoming Green Leaders. The steps we took to reduce energy costs in our home will definitely save us money down the line and reduce our environmental impact. In the last few months we have also replaced our water heater with an Energy Star model, replaced our old thermostat with a programmable one and we have sealed up leaks around our windows and doors which were found during our initial home energy audit (which I highly recommend!)
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Moore-Deliyannis Household
Oct 1, 2013
We finished our Renewable Star challenge with the installation of our... Read more
We finished our Renewable Star challenge with the installation of our solar hot water heating system! It has been in for a little while now and we have already saved several hundred dollars in fuel oil!
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Buckingham's Palace
Aug 9, 2013
Although my peers and friends discouraged me to insulate my flat roof... Read more
Although my peers and friends discouraged me to insulate my flat roof while I was getting the standing seam roof replaced, I decided to go the extra mile and invest in the insulation between the roof rafters. We used the environmental friendly shredded newspaper (cellulose) insulation. My friends I discussed this with argued that I would never get my invested money returned. After now 5 years having the insulation, I continue to encourage every house owner to go ahead and insulate their roof. Energy cost may be still cheaper than the invested cost for placing the insulation, but in the long term the climate in the house during winter and summer is much nicer and the energy bill is less than without the insulation. An additional factor is that we should change our attitude and think long term for future generations, in this case homeowners, who will appreciate this investment and not only short term.
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Spaans
Aug 4, 2013
Solar power panels are installed and as of 19 July producing energy. A... Read more
Solar power panels are installed and as of 19 July producing energy. All attic insulation work has been completed and we are awaiting rebate from Potomac Energy.
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Spaans
Jul 15, 2013
July 15th and 16th: Atlas Home Energy Solutions are sealing attic and... Read more
July 15th and 16th: Atlas Home Energy Solutions are sealing attic and blowing in loose fill to increase insulation to R-49; sealing and insulating exposed band joist areas in basement, weather-stripping front and back doors, and insulating and weather-sealing the attic hatch. We expect half the cost to be reimbursed by Potomac Edison in about eight weeks.
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Spaans
Jul 15, 2013
July 15th and 16th: Astrum Solar installing 26-panel photovoltaic syst... Read more
July 15th and 16th: Astrum Solar installing 26-panel photovoltaic system on our roof.
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Moore-Deliyannis Household
Jul 12, 2013
We live in a cape cod, so the second floor has lots of knee walls with... Read more
We live in a cape cod, so the second floor has lots of knee walls with open spaces behind them. We hired a contractor to cut into the walls, insulate with blown fiberglass, polyisocyanurate foam board, and spray foam. I was excited about the benefits in the winter but am already nitocing a big difference this summer. Our house isn't a big brick oven anymore!
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