| Action |
Cost 1 ≥ 2000 2 ≥ 20 3 ≤ 20 |
Ease 1 = hard 3 = easy |
Impact 1 = most 3 = least |
tot |
gas/elec/ yard/water |
Major area |
Timing |
| CFLs |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Reduce days of using the air conditioning. Open windows at night to let the cooler night air in. Use ceiling fans for nearby "wind-chill". |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Windsource |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
elec |
generation |
|
| Turn off electrics when not in use |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Install air conditioning compressor in the shade. Maintain clearance for air flow. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| Seal ductwork seams with metal duct tape. |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| Ceiling Fans don’t reduce temp |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| energy Star Frig |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| LED (xmas) lights |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Savers Switch - Summer Utility option |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Unplug chargers/transformers |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Add sensors to lights, especially outdoor lights, so they get used only when needed. |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Maintain the frig. Clear the coils once a year at the bottom. Vacuum bottom grate. |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Add a solar tube to get light into an interior bath or hallway. (passive) |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Use solar landscape lights when needed outside |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
elec |
generation |
|
| PC power management |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
elec |
conservation |
|
| Eliminate air and water in outside walls and air in attics and crawlspaces. (Don't go through the vapor barrier) |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| solar photovoltaic |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
elec |
generation |
|
| Wind turbine on property |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
elec |
generation |
|
| energy Star Dishwasher |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
elec & water |
conservation |
|
| Lower demand - Thermostat Lowering the temp by 1deg x4 months reduces co2 emissions by 4-5% |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Close fireplace dampers |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| New auto Thermostat reducing the temp by 10 deg for 8 hrs reduce gas use and co2 emissions by 10% |
3 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Use window insulation film (sealant) to reduce leaks and add a thermal barrier in the winter. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Seal fireplace with a glass front |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Add ceiling insulation |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Maintain furnace, change filters and tune-up reduce emissions up to 5% |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Design Energy Trusses |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
remodel |
| seal outlets with pads |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| weatherize your house |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Maintain passive solar design. Keep plants clear of south windows |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Maintain radiators and air vents - keep free of obstructions |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Remove window air conditioners during the winter. |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
gas |
conservation |
|
| Convert wood fireplace to gas |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas |
conservation |
remodel |
| design passive solar |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas |
conservation |
remodel |
| Caulk air leaks. Breaks in a vapor barrier like floor joists are suspect. |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Add sealed vapor barrier to unfinished basements. |
3 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Weather strip the attic hatch |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Change vent cover and duct valve settings semiannually. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| vapor barrier |
3 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| Plant deciduous trees by south windows. Shade summer, sun winter. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Insulate walls the full thickness without missed spots. Include a vapor barrier. |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| Outlets: use foam pad gaskets |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Reduce use of vent fans which remove at temp air. |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| wall insulation >= 6" |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| high Efficiency furnace |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
|
| Green roof |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| windows (2pane argon is mainstream) |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas & elec |
conservation |
remodel |
| Use a solar water pool blanket |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Use a high insulation cover on spas and hot tubs. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Lower pool temp |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Add water heater jacket |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Reduce water heater temp. Use 120 deg. Reduce by 10 deg reduces co2 emissions by .6% |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Maintain water tank heater - drain a quart of water every couple months to clear out sediment from the bottom |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| Tankless Water heater |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
gas or elec |
conservation |
|
| solar water for pools |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas or elec |
generation |
|
| solar water for household |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
gas or elec |
generation |
|
| Maintain vehicles. Inflate tires |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gasoline |
conservation |
|
| Work in home or close to home |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
gasoline |
conservation |
|
| Electric Vs Gas small engines. Lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw, compressor, etc |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
gasoline |
conservation/ pollution |
|
| Maintain power tools. Keep sharpened |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
gasoline |
conservation |
|
| High Mileage Vehicles |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
gasoline |
conservation |
|
| Fertilize less to reduce mowing and watering |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gasoline & water |
conservation |
|
| Manual mower, raking, shoveling, shears, yard tools |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
gasoline/elec |
conservation |
|
| Never use a leaf blower. Sweep or rake it. |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
gasoline/elec |
conservation |
|
| recycle curbside - cans, bottles, etc |
3 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
na |
conservation |
|
| remove leaded paint |
2 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
na |
antipollution |
|
| plant trees |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| Use county compost for plant drop-off and soil pickup |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| Reuse - take grocery bags to the grocer |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| Reuse - take cup to the coffee store |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| Buy "natural" food |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| Buy local products |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| compost food waste |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| reduce mowed areas. Add native vegetation. |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| compost leaves |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| reduce trash, reuse containers |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| remove asbestos |
1 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
na |
antipollution |
|
| buy "farmed" wood, fish |
3 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
na |
sustainability |
|
| lower volume shower heads |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Reduce or eliminate the need for sprinklers and sprinkling with high tolerant native plants. |
3 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Raise lawn mower to at least 3" for deeper roots and less watering. |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Reduce shower times |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Collect water in a rain barrel for yard use. |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Sweep instead of hose clean |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Sprinkle early in the morning |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Use car wash |
3 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
water |
sustainability |
|
| Fix leaky faucets |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Cover exposed soil with mulch to preserve water. |
3 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Reduce lawn sprinkler time by watching the weather or buy sensing devices. |
3 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Low flush toilets |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
water |
conservation |
|
| Front load washer |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
water/gas/ elec |
conservation |
|
| Alliance to Save Energy (www.ase.org) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| California Energy Commission Bright School Program (www.energy.ca.gov/efficiency/brightschools/) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| California Energy Commission Conservation Web Links (www.energy.ca.gov/links/conservation.html) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Consumer Energy Center - Energy Efficiency at Home, Office and School(www.ConsumerEnergyCenter.org) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network Dr. E's Energy Lab (www.eren.doe.gov/kids/) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Federal Consumer Information Center (www.pueblo.gsa.gov) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Green Schools (www.ase.org/greenschools/) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| http://www.ases.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| http://www.weccusa.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| PowerSmart (tips to save money and the planet - Alliance to Save Energy> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Rocky Mountain Institute - for Kids (www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid468.php) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Dept of Energy Kids Zone (http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=KIDS) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Dept. of Energy - Energy Efficiency page |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LivingLikeEd.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
