Follow these guidelines to help the environment in your home.
Energy Efficiency
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Visit the Energy Star Web site and complete the
Home Energy Yardstick, which will provide recommendations for how
to improve the efficiency of your home.
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Alternatively, hire a contractor to conduct a home energy audit through
the Energy Star Home Performance program.
Examples of annual carbon dioxide emission reductions:
| Install programmable thermostat |
600 pounds |
| Insulate water heater |
1,000 pounds |
| Seal windows and doors with caulk/weatherstripping | 1,000 pounds |
| Insulate attic | up to 1,300 pounds |
| Change 1 incandescent bulb to 1 CFL bulb | 100 pounds |
| Wash clothes with cold water | 500 pounds |
| Air dry laundry in the summer | 780 pounds |
| Clean condenser coils of refrigerator | 175 pounds |
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Renters can work with landlords to recommend any of these
improvements.
- Fairfax County does not endorse any particular contractor so consult online directories or the phone book for more details.
Phantom Loads
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A ‘phantom load’ is the electricity consumed by an appliance when
it is powered down, but not electronically disconnected. Many off
switches only put an appliance or device into standby mode. When
possible, avoid phantom loads by unplugging TV cable boxes,
washing machines, computers, stereos, microwaves and other electronic
equipment.
- TV cable and satellite boxes are typically extremely wasteful of energy even when not in use. 250 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by eliminating phantom loads per box, depending on the size of its phantom load.
Recycling
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Participate fully in curbside recycling (reduces
470 pounds carbon dioxide emissions annually) and recycle all materials that are
acceptable.
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Purchase minimum 50 percent post consumer recycled
paper.
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Maintain compost heap for vegetable and yard waste; use closed
bins.
- Reuse items.
Appliances
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Purchase Energy Star appliances and choose models with a true on/off
switch to avoid phantom loads. Any off switch that is a touch
screen, soft touch button or that is remotely controlled
may only switch the appliance to standby status.
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Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs
(CFLs) for both indoor and outdoor use.
- When not in use, minimize phantom loads by unplugging TV cable boxes, computers, TVs, stereos, clothes washers and microwaves.