50 Actions for a More Sustainable Life
I/WE HAVE TAKEN THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS IN OUR HOME…
Renter* (35)
Owner (50)
Expensive
One-time
Low-cost
Behavior
Resources
(More resources to be
Section Subsection Action Points developed)
Energy
Have had a professional home energy assessment
1 conducted in the past 5 years. 1x x
2 Monitor energy use. 2 x x x x
Caulking, weatherstripping, draft
guards, and other materials can
help get rid of unplanned air
Completed simple steps to seal leaks in windows, leakage. Blinds or curtains can
Building
3 doors, attic and basement. 2x x x help keep heat in.
Insulation has been added/upgraded to increase
4 energy efficiency. 3x x x
5 Have energy efficient windows. 2x x x
Lead test if home built before
6 Have had home tested for lead and radon. 1x x 1978.
Solar, wind, and/or geothermal energy are used to
7 generate electricity at home. 5x x x
Purchase solar or wind energy via the home energy bill,
8 RECs or carbon offsets. 4x x x
Turn off lights when not in use and use natural light
9 when possible. 2 x x x x
Lighting
10 Use some energy-efficient indoor lighting (CFLs, LEDs). 1x x x
Bonus point: Over half of indoor lighting is energy-
11 efficient. 1x x x
Adjust thermostat when away from home manually or
Heating/Cooling/Hot Water
with an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable
12 thermostat. 2x x x x x
Installed insulation for water heaters, hot water lines,
13 and furnaces, such as a water heater blanket. 2x x
Turned down water heater's maximum temperature to
14 120°F. 1x x x
Installed a solar hot water system or a tankless hot
15 water system. 4x x x
Replace or clean filters, radiator vents, and/or Follow directions specific for each
16 appliance coils at least twice a year. 2 x x x x appliance and system.
Computers and other electronic equipment are turned
off and unplugged or plugged into a power strip that is
turned off when not in use or are set to revert to an
17 energy-saving mode. 2x x x x x
liances/Electronics
Renter* (35)
Owner (50)
Expensive
One-time
Low-cost
Behavior
Resources
(More resources to be
Section Subsection Action Points developed)
Appliances/Electronics
Use clothes lines/racks to dry laundry instead of using
18 the dryer. 2 x x x x
19 Wash clothes in cold water and only run full loads. 1 x x x x
Test the seal on refrigerator and freezer and replace
20 them when needed. 1 x x x x
Jugs of water can help to keep the
freezer running at its greatest
21 Keep the freezer at least 75% full. 2 x x x x efficiency.
22 Do not have a second refrigerator or freezer 1x x x x
When purchasing appliances, choose to purchase high-
23 efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances. 4x x x
Complete up to 2 other ENERGY actions of your choice
INNOVATION POINTS
for one point each (note actions). 2
Indoor Water Use
Some actions include: taking
shorter showers; turning off water
when brushing teeth/shaving. For
more tips visit
24 Have changed behavior to conserve water at home. 2 x x x x www.wateruseitwisely.com.
Only run the dishwasher when full and do not prewash
dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Turn off
25 the heated dry option on your dishwasher. 2 x x x x
Purchase WaterSense products, such as faucet
26 aerators, showerheads, and toilets. 2x x x
Regularly check for and fix leaks in faucets, pipes, and
27 toilets. 2 x x x
Complete up to 2 other INDOOR WATER actions of
INNOVATION POINTS
your choice for one point each (note actions). 2
Waste Reduction/Recycling
28 Recycle paper, plastic, glass, and cans. 2 x x x x Follow local guidelines.
29 Use reusable shopping bags. 1 x x x x
Purchase products that can be reused, that are made
with recycled materials, or that use less packaging;
make an effort to repair durable goods instead of
30 buying new ones. 2 x x x
Recycle items such as computers, standard household
and rechargeable batteries, CDs, electronics, cell Follow local guidelines for where
31 phones and other household appliances. 1 x x x x to dispose of these materials.
Use Green Seal certified or similar natural and non-
32 toxic cleaners and detergents. 1 x x x
Waste Reduction/
Renter* (35)
Owner (50)
Expensive
One-time
Low-cost
Behavior
Resources
(More resources to be
Section Subsection Action Points developed)
Minimize paper by using electronic format for forms,
and financial statements, and bills, and sign up for junk
33 mail opt-out lists. 1x x x x
34 Compost food and yard waste. 3 x x x Do-it-yourself or use local services.
Visit nodryclean.com to find a
Use a green dry cleaning service and give back the green dry cleaning service near
35 hangers that they provide. 1 x x x you.
Dispose of hazardous materials appropriately, such as
burned out fluroescent and CFL bulbs, paint, paint Follow local guidelines for where
36 thinners and pesticides. 1 x x x x to dispose of these materials.
Complete up to 2 other WASTE
INNOVATION POINTS REDUCTION/RECYCLING actions of your choice for one
point each (note actions). 2
Food
Eat local food. Shop at farmers markets; purchase
products grown locally, such as through Community
37 Supported Agriculture; or grow your own food. 3 x x x
Use a water pitcher at home and reusable bottles for
beverages on-the-go instead of purchasing bottled
38 water. 2 x x x x
Complete up to 2 other FOOD actions of your choice
INNOVATION POINTS
for one point each (note actions). 2
Transportation
Participate in Bike to Work Day
Use public transportation, walking, biking, or and Car Free Day in
39 carpooling when possible. 3 x x x May/September each year.
40 Do not own a car. 4x x x
Check out your state regulations
to see if you qualify to drive in
41 Drive a low-emission vehicle. 5x x x x HOV lanes with your car.
42 Participate in employer's telecommuting program. 1 x x x x
Properly inflate and check tire
pressure frequently. Check oil
Perform regular maintenance of cars to maintain levels every 3,000 miles. Track
43 efficiency. 2 x x x average miles-per-gallon.
Refrain from idling the car when stopped and waiting
44 to load/unload goods and passengers. 1 x x x x
Renter* (35)
Owner (50)
Expensive
One-time
Low-cost
Behavior
Resources
(More resources to be
Section Subsection Action Points developed)
INNOVATION POINTS Complete up to 2 other TRANSPORTATION actions of
your choice for one point each (note actions). 2
Outdoors/Yard
45 Plant low water-use trees and plants in the yard. 2x x
Use a push reel mower or an electric mower, or have
46 landscaped to make lawn mowing unnecessary. 2x x
47 Use a broom to clean driveway and walkways. 1 x x x
Some actions include: water only
in morning and evenings; mulch in
plant beds and around trees; use
Take actions to conserve water in landscaping drip irrigation. For more tips visit
48 practices. 2 x x www.wateruseitwisely.com.
Do not use harmful pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers
49 in the yard and opt for safer options. 1 x x
50 Have installed rain barrels and/or rain gardens. 2x x
Complete up to 2 other OUTDOOR/YARD actions of
INNOVATION POINTS
your choice for one point each (note actions). 2
Participate in or sponsor environmental restoration or
education projects, or other community efforts to
reduce environmental impacts. 1 x x x
Have referred at least one friend or neighbor to
BONUS ACTIONS participate in this program. 1
TOTAL POINTS 100 54 50 33 23 100 67
Renter* (35)
Owner (50)
Expensive
One-time
Low-cost
Behavior
Section Subsection Action Points
* Actions applicable to renters may vary based on exact situation. Labels are a guide and any action may or may not apply to a renter. Renters can get double points for
completing any actions labeled as owner-only.