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
-
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.
-
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. 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 Seal gaps around doors and windowsAir flow through leaky doors and window joints, cracks, frames, and sashes can account for 15-40% of a home’s heating and cooling losses. If you close a piece of paper in a door and can pull it out easily, it needs weatherstripping. Stop air leaks from windows and doors with caulking, weatherstripping, plastic film, storm windows, or storm doors. Learn more about how windows can waste energy.
From draft guards to foam weatherstripping, there’s a wide variety of products and strategies. It’s a good idea to learn what works best for your particular situation and the location and type of doors and windows you are sealing. Learn more about different strategies and materials from the Energy Savers guide, savehouseholdenergy.com, or Consumer Energy Center.
If you are a renter, there are temporary fixes for simple sealing projects, like using plastic window film or rope caulking, or laying a rolled up towel to stop drafts below doors. Air sealing strategies that are more permanent should have landlord approval.
Watch this door weatherstripping video or window/door weatherstripping video to learn more.
You must be registered and logged in to leave comments
-
Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
1
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 Turn off lights in areas that are not being usedThis is the simplest behavioral change that you and your family can make to your daily energy-saving regimen! Making a difference starts with small changes. Learn more about when to turn off your lights from EnergySavers.gov.
You must be registered and logged in to leave comments
-
Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
1
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 Substitute natural light for electrical lightOpen your curtains to allow natural lighting in, and close them if the room gets too warm. Using light that is already available during daytime hours reduces energy output from light bulbs, saving you money. Learn more about daylighting from EnergySavers.gov.
You must be registered and logged in to leave comments
-
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. 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 energy-efficient lighting in at least 75% of your lighting fixturesFluorescent lights use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs, and can last up to 10 times as long. If you replace 20 bulbs with more energy-efficient lights, you can save up to $600 over the lifetimes of the bulbs. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) now come in all shapes and sizes. There are dimmable models, and models for recessed or outdoor lighting. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting is even more efficient than CFL lighting, but with a greater up-front cost.
Learn more about ENERGY STAR® light bulb options.
If you need help selecting the right bulb replacements, smart phone apps like Light Bulb Finder can help you to choose the right bulbs to upgrade.
Save on upfront costs by taking advantage of Potomac Edison’s lighting rebates.
If you tried a CFL and didn’t like it, it may be because you didn’t select the right wattage, color, brightness, or size. When purchasing CFLs, use these equivalencies to get the brightness you are looking for (or roughly divide by 4):
Incandescent CLF 60 Watt 13 Watt 75 Watt 18 Watt 100 Watt 23 Watt Apr 07 Jesse Speak
I am concerned about mercury so we do not use these. But, I am interested in LED lights if they are affordable.
Jul 25 Donald Frank-Rice
I have installed LED lights in all of the main rooms of the house. All that is left is the basement and bathroom.
You must be registered and logged in to leave comments
You must be registered and logged in to leave comments