Meadowmont Goes Green!

ELECTRICAL:

• Keep thermostats set at no higher than 68 degrees in the winter and no lower than 78 in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat to increase/decrease settings at night or when you are away.
• Turn off non-essential lights indoors and outdoors. Install motion switches.
• Change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent (75% savings)
• Use LED lights where feasible (flashlights, christmas lights)
• Switch to energy star rated appliances and electronic equipment.
• Use dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded.
• Wash cloths in warm/cold water. Dry clothes outside or on an attic
• Unplug chargers (phone, camera, IPod) when not needed
• Sign on to blocks of NC Green Power via your power company (tax deductible) ($4.00 per 100 KWh block). www.ncgreenpower.org
• Check your water-heating tank. Too large for what you need? Well insulated? Recommended temperature  setting  1020 degrees F. Consider a solar water heater or an instant (tankless) system.
• Keep your furnace well maintained and change filters frequently.
• Check your heating/cooling system ducts for leakage (on an average 20% of energy is lost through leaks in the system)
• Close heating registers in bedrooms and hallways
• Check for air leaks around doors, windows and at electrical wall outlets (handy little insulation pads for wall outlets are available at hardware stores)
• Close the damper on a wood fireplace when not in use. Shut off the gas in a gas fireplace when not in use for a longer time. Use the gas fireplace on winter evenings for local heating; it will keep the rest of the house cooler.
• Install/use ceiling fans to cool rooms in the summer. Use a ceiling fan in a cathedral ceiling in the winter to push warm air down.
• Check the temperatures in your refrigerator (recommended 38 degrees F for the refrigerator; 0-5 degrees for the freezer)  Perform the "dollar check" on door seals. Abandon your "extra" freezer.

. 

WATER:

• Install a low-flow shower head. Limit showers to less than 6 minutes. Put a bucket in the shower to catch the water that is wasted while it is getting warm. Shut off the water when applying soap or shampoo (shut off valves are available at hardware stores and do not affect the temperature settings.)
• Don't run the water while brushing teeth or shaving. Use a cup.
• Don't pre-rinse the dishes that go into the dishwasher
• Follow OWASA guidelines for watering. www.owasa.org
• Landscape with drought resistant plants and grasses (Xeriscaping); water by hand rather than with a sprinkler; water early in the morning and never in full sunlight.
• Add rain barrels to catch roof run-off for outside watering . (should have an overflow valve)
• Consider a hot water recirculating pump.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE:

• Look for the packaging of the products you buy; avoid excess; buy bulk.
• Reuse your single printed pages to print on both sides or use them for scrap notes. Purchase paper products and goods made from recycled materials.
• Recycle  your printer ink cartridges (Staples)
• Switch to paperless bills. Opt out of unnecessary catalogs www.catalogchoice.com
• Bring your used egg cartons, clamshell containers and plastic flower pots to the farmers markets.
• Gift wrap with multi-use packaging such as bags, boxes and ties that can be reused.
• Compost yard and kitchen waste.
• Avoid single use plastic bottles.
• Properly dispose of batteries and fluorescent bulbs (at Brunch Bunch!) and other hazardous waste (www.co.orange.nc.us/recycleing/community.asp)
• Recycle redundant articles through recycling organizations. (www.habitathandmeups.org;  www.planetaid.org;  www.freecycle.org)

AUTOMOBILES:

• Choose your next automobile on high fuel mileage (hybrid) or type of fuel (bio-fuel).
• Reduce your driving by organizing your trips, carpooling, taking the bus, walking or biking. Plan your trips to avoid left hand turns and long waiting at stoplights (particularly in Chapel Hill)
• Obey the speed limits. It saves gas and stress. Avoid quick acceleration.
• Shut off the cruise control in hilly terrain. Go a little slower up-hill and a little faster down-hill.
• Check your tire pressure frequently. Low tire pressure increases gas consumption as well as wear and tear. Consider filling your tires with nitrogen ( nitrofil -www.ChapelHillTire.com)
• Put your car in the garage. A cold start in the winter requires more gas; a hot start in the summer more airconditioning. Use window shades.
• Shut your engine off if you expect to idle for more than 20 seconds.
• Avoid drive-thru's. the idling wastes gas and it is unhealthy to breathe the fumes for the person serving you. Park and take a walk!