2/18/2006
Environmental
Sustainability checklist
INDIVIDUAL:
Resolution #1
Personal/Household:
No cost to do-
! REMEMBER: RECYCLE – REUSE – REDUCE
!
Turn water heater thermostat to 120○ F
Set Heating thermostats to
68○ F during daytime and 62○ F at bedtime. (Programmable thermostats do this
automatically…considered installing one)
Close drapes after sunset in winter
Use energy-saving settings on all appliances (washing
machine, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator). Front loading washing machine use 1/3
water/sewer capacity and ¼ the detergent.
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothing
Air-dry clothing (except for those with allergies)
and dishes
Repair leaky faucets and toilets (5% of water use is
leakage)
Take short showers instead of baths
Clean refrigerator condenser coils every 2 months
Turn off lights when leaving a room. Turn off computer and monitor when not in
use.
Unplug home electronic devices (TVs and DVD players, use power strips and turn off when not in use)
Eat lower on the food chain
Reduce use of harmful chemicals
Donate clothing and household items to a thrift shop
that donates the proceeds to a needy cause (Am. Friends Service Committee;
Newtown Association for the Blind; De Ja
Vue; Salvation Army)
Use hand-me-down clothing for children
Recycle everything!
Newspapers, bottles, plastic. Old sheets and towels make great rags!
Reuse water without chemicals in it (gray water) to
water plants
Compost kitchen scraps or save for someone who does
composting
Reuse sheets of paper with nothing on the back
side. Can be cut up
for note pads.
Reuse cardboard
Resolution #2
Personal/Household:
Inexpensive that will give pay back in less than a year-
Install a water saver shower head with a turn off
valve to use when not rising off OR a 2.5 gallon per minute showerhead
Install water efficient faucet heads on sinks
Install a programmable thermostat
Plug leaks in attic and basement that a cat could
crawl through
Replace and re-putty broken window panes
Clean or change furnace air filters per directions on
the type of filter
Insulate first 4” of piping on each side of water
heater
Insulate first three feet of hot and inlet cold water
pipes
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs in the five
fixtures most used
Install gaskets on all electrical outlets and
switches
Buy locally to reduce costs, fuel and emissions that
account for the shipping distances on products we buy
Purchase gently used clothing and household items
from a thrift shop that donates the proceeds to a needy cause (American Friends
Service Committee; Newtown Association for the Blind; De Ja Vue; Salvation Army
etc.)
Plant a small vegetable garden plot in your yard
Resolution #3
Household:
More expensive, with 1-3 year payback-
Get a comprehensive energy audit, including a blower
door test to identify sources of air filtration
Caulk and weatherize all leaks identified by the
test. Begin with attic and basement
(especially around plumbing and electrical penetrations and around the framing
that rests on the foundation)
Weatherize windows and doors
Insulate access hatch/stairs to attic
Seal and insulate warm air heating (or cooling) ducts
Add extra 6” blanket of insulation over any ducts or
Ac units in attic
Tune heating and cooling systems every year
Use insulating window shades (about 1/3 heat loss
occurs through windows and doors)
Add insulating storm windows (about 1/3 heat loss
occurs through windows and doors)
Insulate hot water pipes in unheated basements or
crawlspaces
Resolution #4
Household: An
Investment, with 3-15 year payback-
Foundation: insulate rim joist and down the
foundation wall to below frostline to at least R-19 in cold climates and to
R-11 or better in moderate climates.
Remember to caulk first
Basement: insulate the inside of basement walls/crawl
space. If heated, install to R-19 or
more above grade and to R-11 or more below grade
Attic: increase attic insulation to R-50 in cold
climate, R-38 in milder climates, and R-30 plus a radiant barrier in hot
climates
Walls: adding wall insulation is more difficult and
expensive, but may be cost-effective if your house is uncomfortable
Convert to solar heating and perhaps all
supplementary solar space heating
Upgrade water heater, furnace, boiler, air
conditioners, and refrigerator to more energy efficient models. Newer units are far more efficient. Upgrading is often cost-effective, especially
if replacing failing units. Look for the
ENERGY STAR ® label on home appliances and products as this meets strict
efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
U.S. Department of Energy.
Upgrade to super insulating or low-emissivity windows in cold climates, if replacement is
needed
Replace high-flow toilets with modern water-efficient
toilets that use 50-80% less water
Install awnings over windows that overheat your home
in the summer
Resolution #1
Auto/Transportation:
No cost to do-
Drive at sensible speed to avoid wasting gasoline
Clear car of extra weight to lighten load (Remove
roof racks when not in use)
Properly inflate tires
Check oil and use proper grade (wrong oil grade can
reduce mileage by 1-2%)
Use overdrive gearing. This allows the engine speed to decrease and
saves gas and reduces wear
Warm up your car engine by driving it. Idling wastes
fuel and increases emissions.
Use air conditioning only when necessary
Use carpooling as much as possible to work, child
activities, meetings, (check www-phillycarshare.com) and or public transit
systems
Combine
errands into one trip
Resolution #2
Auto/Transportation:
Inexpensive that will give pay back in less than a year-
Replace clogged air filters. Clean air filters can improve gas mileage by
as much as 10%!
Get car aligned!
Can improve gas mileage by as much as 3%!
Resolution #3
Auto: An
Investment, with 3-15 year payback-
Purchase a hybrid vehicle
MONTHLY
MEETING:
Meeting
House: Adopt and utilize Resolutions 1, 2, 3, 4 from Household sections
Develop a Climate Action Network with other
meetings. Engage in conversations with
the network .
A climate discernment process has begun through NMM
Peace and Service committee. An initial session and future sessions are being
scheduled