Action 1/3 Conserve Water Indoors
Wash only full loads of laundry/dishes
Why? The average residential washing machine uses about 41 gallons of water per load (National Park Service) and the EPA recommends making sure your dishwasher is fully loaded to save water.
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Find and fix plumbing leaks
Why? Toilet leaks are often silent and can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, making the toilet the number one cause for a high-water bill.
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Install low flow fixtures
Why? Did you know that showering accounts for nearly 17% of residential indoor water use? By switching out your old shower head, you could save around 3,000 gallons a year!
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Install low-flow appliances (building owner)
Why? On average, toilets use up to a third of indoor water. If you have a toilet manufactured before 1995, it uses more than three times as much water as a newer model.
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Install hot water recirculator (building owner)
Why? Hot water demand recirculating pumps have the potential to solve the problem of a long wait for hot water at a distant fixture, while simultaneously saving energy, water and money (Energy Star).
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Action 2/3 Reduce Power Load
Dress for the season
Why? Dressing for the weather is the simplest, fastest, and cheapest way to reduce your home energy footprint.
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Adjust thermostat & turn things off
Why? Consider buying a programmable or smart thermostat to help you save energy and money. When connected to a service such as OhmConnect, they can also power off certain devices during times of peak energy use, saving you money and taking pressure off the grid. AMP also offers rebates for smart thermostats.
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Search for phantom power
Why? Save money you would have normally spent in electric bills, by searching for and cutting back on phantom power, also called standby power, or the energy that's wasted around your home when devices are plugged in and using power, but you're not actively using them.
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Use clothesline for drying
Why? Skipping the dryer and using a clothesline saves energy, lowers your utility bills, and keeps the house cooler during hot months. It also minimizes wrinkles and wear and tear on clothes, and sunlight acts as a disinfectant.
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Install LED light bulbs
Why? LEDs with the ENERGY STAR rating use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than the incandescent lighting of the past. They’re also cooler to handle, sturdier, and easier to install.
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Action 3/3 Improve Building Performance
Use window coverings
Why? Believe it or not, about 30% of a home’s heating and/or cooling energy is lost through windows.
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Seal air leaks (building owner)
Why? Sealing air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping is a low-tech, cost-effective, easy way to cut heating and cooling bills.
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Add insulation with express permit (building owner)
Why? Insulation can make a huge difference in keeping your household comfortable and conserving energy and you can get an express permit through the City for adding insulation.
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Install efficient windows (building owner)
Why? Energy-efficient windows are double or triple glazed and provide greater insulation in frames, reducing heat transfer between the outdoors and your home. This improves comfort, greatly increases energy efficiency, and reduces outdoor noise, among other benefits. These windows also improve the value of your home. Windows that close with levers are more efficient than those that slide open and shut.
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Install a cool roof (building owner)
Why? Cool roofs can increase comfort and reduce energy bills, among many other benefits.
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