You have the power to make meaningful changes in your daily life that contribute to a sustainable Fairfax. Read on below for some actions you can take to get you started right away. 

Your participation isn’t just good for the environment — it’s also great for your wallet, health and community well-being. By adopting sustainable practices, you can immediately see benefits, including:

• Lower utility bills from straightforward energy-saving measures.
• Better comfort and health thanks to cleaner air, reduced pollution because of EVs, and less traffic congestion due to more public transportation use. 

Select a topic below to view actions and resources. Or, learn how you can take and track action today with the Sustain Fairfax Challenge.

Save Energy at Home

Making smart energy choices can make your home more energy efficient and comfortable, reduce costs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Learn more on our Home Energy page.

• LED Bulbs: Switch to LED bulbs to save money on electricity — they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer.
• ENERGY STAR®-Certified Appliances: Replace old systems (e.g., heating, cooling, fridge) with ENERGY STAR®-certified products for rebates.
• Seal Your Home: Stop drafts—use weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors. Borrow thermal cameras from the Fairfax County Library or get a home energy assessment near you to find leaks.
• Thermostat Tweaks: Turning your thermostat up or down 7 or 10 degrees from its usual setting for 8 hours per day can save 10% on cooling and heating bills, respectively. To make it even easier, smart thermostats connect to your Wi-Fi and automatically make temperature adjustments based on your desired temperature settings throughout the day.
• Change Air Filters: Replace furnace filters every three months to save on energy costs.
• Unplug Electronics: Avoid “vampire energy” by using smart power strips or disconnecting devices or appliances not in use.
• Upgrade Insulation: Improve your insulation—rebates may be available through your utility provider!
• Contact the Energy Compass program to start your home energy efficiency journey: Fairfax Energy Compass provides free, local expert guidance to help make your home more comfortable and use less energy.

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Go Solar

By using renewable energy like solar instead of fossil fuels, you help reduce pollution and planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more on Going Solar.

• Assess your Home’s Potential: Investigate your property’s solar potential by visiting the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's NOVA Solar Map.
• Federal and Local Incentives: Fairfax County offers incentives such as waived permit fees and a 5-year solar equipment tax exemption.
• Get Started: Find trusted residential solar installers near you or join a solar group purchasing program, like Solarize Virginia or Switch Together.

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Drive Clean, Breathe Easy

Electric vehicles (EVs) help reduce emissions and improve our air quality, since they do not have tailpipe emissions. EV drivers can also enjoy reduced fuel and maintenance costs. Explore the benefits of driving an EV on our Electric Vehicles page.

• EV Charging Made Easy: Fairfax County has nearly 400 public charging stations—and more on the way. Find a charging station near you with this ChargePoint locator tool.
• Charge Up Fairfax: Get financial and technical support to install EV chargers in your community.

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Choose Sustainable Transportation

Use public transit, bike, or walk to reduce emissions and save money on transportation costs. These options are affordable and environmentally friendly! Find your next ride on our Sustainable Transportation page.

• Public Transit: Leave your car at home! Use Fairfax Connector buses, Metro or VRE for an affordable and environmentally friendly commute.
• Biking and Walking: Explore Fairfax’s network of bike trails and pedestrian-friendly paths to stay active and reduce emissions.
• Carpooling: Share rides with friends, family, or coworkers to save money, reduce traffic, and cut emissions.
• Plan Your Route: Check out tools like the Fairfax County Transit Map to find the most efficient way to get where you need to go.

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