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

  • 3
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    Have HVAC systems professionally evaluated and maintained
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    It is important to have your HVAC system evaluated and maintained, especially if you are living in a home with a pre-existing system. Annual, pre-season check-ups can ensure that your system is operating correctly and efficiently, and help to avoid costly maintenance problems. A typical check-up should include checking thermostat settings and system controls, lubricating moving system parts, and inspecting the condensate drain. Additional evaluations may be performed specific to the heating or cooling system being checked.

    Potomac Edison customers can receive a rebate for having their HVAC systems tuned-up.

    Learn more about heating and cooling maintenance from the Energy Savers guide or ENERGY STAR® guide.

    Mar 28 Elizabeth Butler

    Doesn't work

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  • 7
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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 ducts
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    In 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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  • 7
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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 alternative
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    If 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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  • 5
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    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
    Install an Energy Star certified electric Heat Pump Water Heater
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Water heaters are often the second highest energy user in the home. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR certified Heat Pump Water Heater to save energy, save money, and help protect our climate. Investing in a planned replacement NOW can lock in big energy savings and help avoid a potential costly clean up when your old water heater fails. Heat pump water heaters come in both electric and gas models. While they may cost more to purchase, a heat pump water heater costs less to operate and can reduce your utility bills.

    To see how heat pump water heaters work and how ENERGY STAR certified models can help you save on your utility bills, watch this short video:  "ENERGY STAR Water Heaters Mean BIG Savings!"

    See this Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater fact sheet (PDF, 228.13 KB) that explains the savings opportunity.

    Washington Gas rebates and federal tax credits are available for Energy Star certified storage water heaters. For example, in 2016 the federal tax credit was $300.

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