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Home energy use accounts for about 16% of our country's carbon emissions. Thanks to technological innovation, there is now an array of practices and products that can not only save you money but can reduce (or even eliminate) your need to burn fossil fuels. From long-term investments like installing rooftop solar to actions as simple as changing a light bulb, it's never been easier to make your house a money-saving, energy-efficient, pollution-reducing home.

Get a rooftop solar quote

I will connect with a local installer/distributor for a solar panel system consultation on my house.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

EnergySage tool educates about solar and connects you with vetted installers

Google's Project Sunroof shows the solar potential of your home

Drawdown Solution #10: Rooftop Solar
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Install rooftop solar

I will install rooftop solar on my home and generate $1100 in energy savings and prevent over 6 tons of carbon emissions per year.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

EnergySage tool educates about solar and connects you with vetted installers

Google's Project Sunroof shows the solar potential of your home

Drawdown Solution #10: Rooftop Solar
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Enroll in community solar

If clean energy on my home is not an option, I will find a community solar project in my area and sign up as a customer/subscriber/owner.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Solar Energy Industries Association explains Community Solar
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Participate in a green power program

If clean energy on my home is not an option, I will enroll in a legitimate green power program to encourage sourcing of electricity from renewable energy sources.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Guide to finding a legit green power program
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Install a heat pump

After assessing my heating and cooling system with a professional, I will install a heat pump that can be powered with clean energy like solar or geothermal.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution #42: Heat Pumps

Department of Energy: Heat Pump Systems
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Use solar water heating

After assessing my water heating system with a professional, I will install an efficient, solar-powered hot water heating system.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution #41: Solar Water Heating

Department of Energy: Solar Water Heating
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Smart thermostats

I will use a smart thermostat to increase my home's energy efficiency, saving an average of $130 and 1.6 tons of carbon emissions per year.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Wirecutter's comprehensive review of the top smart thermostats

Drawdown: Smart Thermostats
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Adjust the thermostat

To avoid excessive heating and cooling, I will turn the thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and up in the summer.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Thermostats

Proper Use Guidelines for Programmable Thermostats
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DAILY ACTION
Switch to LEDs

I will switch (___) incandescent lightbulbs in my home to LEDs to save an average of $5 and 60 pounds of carbon emissions per bulb per year.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution #33: LED Household Lighting

CNET's comprehensive review of the top LED lights
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Turn off the lights

I will make it a habit to always turn off the lights when I leave a room.

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DAILY ACTION
Reduce idle load

I will reduce the idle electricity load used by "vampire devices," especially when I'm not using my devices, saving an average of $70 and nearly a half ton of carbon emissions per year.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Natural Resources Defense Council explains the issue of idle load

Room-by-room guide to eliminating your idle load
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Complete a home energy audit

I will contact a local contractor or nonprofit provider to complete an energy audit of my home and identify my next steps for saving energy.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Department of Energy's info on professional home energy audits

Department of Energy's guide on conducting DIY home energy audits
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Upgrade to energy efficient appliances

I will upgrade to energy efficient appliances (like Energy Star) to increase my home's energy effiiciency.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

EnergyStar's product finder

EnergySage: What are the most energy efficient appliances and are they worth it?
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Air seal and insulate your home

I will air seal and insulate my home to make it more comfortable and energy efficient.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution #31: Insulation
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Conserve hot water

I will conserve hot water when cleaning, bathing, and doing the laundry.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Department of Energy: 15 Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill
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DAILY ACTION
Use water efficiently

I will use water efficiently and install low-flow water fixtures to conserve the significant energy it takes to manage our water system.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Drawdown Solution #46: Water Saving

EPA's WaterSense provides advice on saving water and certifies water-efficient products
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DAILY ACTION
Only run a full dishwasher

I will make it a habit to only run a full dishwasher to save water and energy.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Infographic with tips on how to save water in the home
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DAILY ACTION
Keep A/C and furnace filters clean

I will use clean A/C and furnace filters in my home to ensure they run as efficiently as possible.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to Replace Furnace Filters
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ONE-TIME ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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