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Refer 5 Frederick County households to the Green Homes Challenge

Help spread the word by referring 5 of your friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors to the Green Homes Challenge.

Click here to invite them to sign up for the Green Homes Challenge.

Upgrade your washing machine to a high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® model

ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washers can use about 20% less energy and 50% less water than regular washing machines. Utility companies and some retailers offer rebates for appliance upgrades, and the State of Maryland offer sales tax free shopping for selected ENERGY STAR® appliances each year over President’s Day weekend.

Upgrade your dishwasher to a high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® model

An ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher can save 1,300 gallons of water over its lifetime. Dishwashers made before 1994 can cost an extra $40 per year to operate compared to an efficient model. Utility companies and some retailers offer rebates for appliance upgrades, and the State of Maryland offer sales tax free shopping for selected ENERGY STAR® appliances each year over President’s Day weekend.

Install low-flow showerheads

You can reduce the amount of energy used for water heating by needing less water when you shower. Federal regulations mandate that new showerhead flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gallons per minute at 80 pounds per square inch. A low-flow showerhead can achieve water savings of 25-60%. Learn more about low-flow showerheads from EnergySavers.gov. Check out this video to learn how to install a low-flow showerhead.

Potomac Edison customers with electric hot water can receive a low-flow showerhead with a no-cost Energy Conservation Kit.

Choosing a low-flow showerhead does not mean that you have to sacrifice the great feeling of a therapeutic shower. There is a wide variety of showerheads available to suit your specific needs. Look for products at your local hardware store with the WaterSense label to ensure maximum water savings.

Install low-flow faucet aerators

Aerators cut water use by 30% or more and save money on water and energy bills. By installing faucet aerators, the average household can save over 500 gallons of water per year. Learn more about low-flow aerators from EnergySavers.gov. 

Low-volume faucet aerators are very inexpensive and can be installed without replacing the entire faucet. Look for products at your local hardware store with the WaterSense label to ensure maximum water savings. A newer kitchen faucet usually comes with a low-flow faucet aerator that restricts flow to 2.2 gpm, but should you need to replace it, or install one on a bathroom faucet, be sure to select one with a flow rate of no more than 1.0 gpm.

Potomac Edison customers with electric hot water can receive a low-flow aerator with a no-cost Energy Conservation Kit.

Use reusable bottles while on-the-go

Disposable plastic water bottles are one of the most common forms of litter, and the plastic bottle industry consumes a huge amount of energy and resources.

Instead of using disposable bottles, take a travel coffee mug to cafes and a reusable bottle to the gym, to work, on walks, and on drives. There are several options for water bottle materials, including glass, aluminum, and plastic. If you choose plastic, make sure that it is BPA-free. BPA (bisphenol a) is a potentially harmful organic compound that can leach from certain plastics. Many containers provide information on their product’s BPA content.

To learn more about the impacts of drinking bottled water, watch “The Story of Bottled Water” or this Ecobold video.