Personal Action Steps

If you’re in Central New York, choose one of the following, and follow the instructions below:

1. Sign up for Renewable Energy Certificates 
   • Super Easy
   • They may charge $1-$10 more per month
   • For homeowners or renters
2. Get a quote to lease solar panels from a community solar farm
   • Still pretty easy
   • Many companies charge 90% of what you’re paying now- so you save money!
   • With many companies, there is no long term commitment.
   • For homeowners or renters with most companies
3. Set up a consultation with a home solar provider
   • Not hard, but will need to meet with installers
   • More money up front, but after around a 9-year payback period, you will save money! Panels last 30 years.
   • For homeowners

Instructions

1. Sign up for Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
   1. National Grid and NYSEG get energy from a variety of sources, which is fed into the grid, then sent to your home. RECs represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource and was fed into a shared system of power lines. So while that energy might not technically make it to your home, you will support renewable energy with every bit of energy you use.
   2. Find a company to buy RECs from at Green-e Certified by choosing “Renewable Energy”, “Residential” and “NY”.  But…it can be confusing. So, we’ve tried to do some of the legwork and identify ones that are available in CNY*. For some of them, once you sign up, you just pay your energy bill like normal each month and it’s all taken care of for you.
      1. Community Energy Inc (partners with National Grid)
      2. Green Energy Consumers Alliance (partners with National Grid)
      3. Kiwi Energy 
      4. Ambit Energy
      5. Green Mountain Energy
   3. Or you can go to New York Power to Choose and filter for companies with 100% renewable energy.
2. Get a quote for Community Solar
   1. Watch this video to see how community solar works 
   2. Use NYSERDA’s Map to find a community solar project near you
   3. Call or email one or two companies to get a quote. Then pick one and fill out the application (this may require a credit check). 
   4. Once the solar farm is complete, you’ll start getting credits for the energy, and pay the solar company the amount agreed upon.
3. Set up a consultation with a Home Solar installer
   1. Do you have a partly south-facing, unshaded roof? Or another spot on your property where you could install solar? You could be a good candidate for home solar.
   2. Join Energy Sage and shop for installers through their pre-screened list of companies.
   3. Or call or email a local home solar installer and ask for a quote to put solar on your roof. They will probably want to meet with you at your house to discuss your options and measure and assess your property 
   4. Some local Home Solar Installers*
      1. CNY Solar
      2. Renovus Solar
      3. NES (Nickels Energy Solutions)
      4. ETM Solar Works
      5. Halco
      6. Apex Solar
      7. Alternative Power Solutions
   5. With this option you’re also supporting the local economy. But if it turns out solar won’t work for your home, you can always go back to option A or B above!

*We cannot say we have experience with all of these companies, nor are we recommending specific companies. We are just helping to identify options in CNY.

In NY, conventional heating and cooling systems are responsible for 37 percent of energy consumption and 32 percent of emissions. It is much easier and more affordable to make electricity green than to make a green fuel, so making the switch to electric heating is a key part of reducing emissions. And we need to do this as soon as possible.

All 4 of these steps will also lower your energy costs and SAVE YOU MONEY!

*HINT: You can work with the same contractor for Steps 1, 2, and 3.

1. Schedule a Home Energy Audit

• Home energy audits identify how efficiently your home is operating and where your home is wasting energy, and will include recommendations for improving energy efficiency.
• Do you rent? If you’re income-eligible you can access energy audits, insulation and other energy efficiency upgrades for free with your landlord’s permission through New York’s EmPower+ program. Enroll online or through EnergySmart CNY.
• If you are a homeowner, enroll in EnergySmart CNY or call a local contractor and set up a no-cost Home Energy Audit. And ask them for a quote for Step 2 and 3.

2. Air-seal your home

• If you’re income-eligible, you have options!
• With more generous income eligibility guidelines the EmPower+ program has matching funds of up to $5,000 for energy efficiency improvements including air sealing.
• If you’re more of the do-it-yourself type, find and seal air leaks in your home
• Or when you get Insulation (step 3) make sure the contractor will also be “air-sealing” your home. This can make a huge difference!
• Whether you rent or own, PEACE, Inc operates New York’s Weatherization Assistance Program in Onondaga County. They will help you air seal and insulate your home to reduce heating costs.  

3. Insulate your house

• Enroll with EnergySmart CNY or call a contractor to get an estimate for insulation (or talk to the company who did your home energy audit)
• Depending on your income, NYSERDA offers incentives toward getting insulation put in your basement, attic, and/or walls. They also offer low-interest loans.

4. Enroll in the EnergySmartCNY campaign or Switch to cleaner energy today

• Clean heating and cooling technologies, such as heat pumps are going to play a key role in reducing emissions in NY. Why are they great?
• Enroll in the EnergySmart CNY campaign to learn more and connect with vetted local installers. Or call a participating air source or geothermal heat pump installer today to get a quote for a heat pump. Even if you can’t afford it today, knowing what to expect will help you plan to replace your old heating system when it dies, or when you can afford it.
• Note: If you have a newer energy efficient gas furnace, you can still get a heat pump. You can drastically reduce your emissions and take advantage of savings from incentives offered today by adding a cold climate air source heat pump to your system!
• Not ready to enroll yet or already have a heat pump? Sign up for updates and notices of upcoming workshops and open houses from EnergySmart CNY. You could even volunteer!
• More comfortable year round. Better quality of life.
• Save energy
• Can use renewable energy to heat home
• More expensive to install, but cheaper to use

If you’re building a new home, consider a Zero Energy Passive House building.

• http://www.homescore.org
• http://www.bpihomeowner.org
• http://www.newyorkpowertochoose.com
• http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/zero-energy-ready-home
• http://www.phius.org

Make a plan to electrify everything! Write down a list of the major appliances in your home and how old they are. It takes energy to manufacture each of these, so if they are newer, we’re not suggesting you replace them. But if they are older, have a plan for when they break to get more energy efficient or electric versions of everything. Ideally choose appliances that save at least 25% in energy consumption over your current models. Here’s what to think about:

• For all appliances: always compare ENERGY STAR ratings.
• Fridge and Freezers: If you bought your current fridge or freezer before 1993, replace it now. A new Energy Star fridge will keep 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year because they are so much more efficient now. 
• Washing Machine: Washers make up 14% of the average household’s energy in the US. Replace models over 10 years old with Energy Star models, which can use 25% less energy than standard ones. And wash more clothes in cold water.
• Dryer: Dryers use an incredible amount of energy. In an average home it uses 35% of energy expended on appliances. Replace your dryer when your old one stops working. In the meantime: Use sensor drying instead of timed drying. Long cycles on low heat use less energy than short cycles on high heat, so use low heat. Or even better, get drying racks and hang dry your clothes! 
• Stove: Consider replacing your gas or electric stove with an induction cooktop  Induction heats up much faster, and is far more energy efficient than gas. Here’s another example of why you should remove gas and put in an induction stove. 
• Water Heater: This is more complicated. Switch to electric, a heat pump water heater, or a Solar water heaters. Call your favorite plumber to figure out which option is best for your home.

And remember to recycle your old appliances! National Grid will pick your fridge up and give you a $50 rebate! Or if you’re in Onondaga County search OCRRA for how to recycle them. And if you decommission any gas appliances, remember to hire a professional to make sure everything is safe when you disconnect the gas.

• Prevent Phantom Loading by putting electronic appliances on a power strip
• Look for the energy star rating for appliances and consider wattage usage of any new electronics
• Replace existing incandescent and CFL light bulbs with LED bulbs
• Purchase a Kill A Watt device to find out how much wattage individual devices use. Kill-A-Watt meters are also available to check out from many libraries.
• Shut down the TV by disconnecting it at the power cord.
• Use smaller bath towels.
• Don’t run the faucet continuously while washing dishes or brushing your teeth.
• Run your clothes washer and dishwasher on full loads.
• Buy energy efficient appliances.
• Reduce use of hair driers.
• Purchase electric powered garden equipment.

A third of all food emissions in the United States come from red meat and dairy products. Eating Vegan, vegetarian, or even just reducing your beef intake can make a big difference.

Animal agriculture is wasteful of water and arable soil. More people can be fed on a given acreage of arable soil planted in grains to feed people directly than the same area being used to feed “food” animals for people to eat. Animal agriculture pollutes water and air and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions (especially methane from cows). Wild plants are trampled or eaten and wild animals displaced when their habitat is taken over by grazing “food” animals. Vegans eat no animal flesh or animal products (especially dairy and eggs). They eat veggies, fruits, grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and the huge variety of foods made from them. Vegans are more likely to avoid heart disease, stroke and some forms of cancer than people who eat a typical U.S. diet.

Documentation, a video and recipes can be found at atlantic2.sierraclub.org/conservation/biodiversity You can also download the 4th edition of “Give a Wolf (and the World) a Break Today: Go Veggie!”

With all of the things we buy, it’s hard to know what impact each item has on our planet. But it’s important to consider. Thinking about any product’s Life Cycle (from cradle to grave) helps us understand why our choices as consumers affect Climate Change. It takes energy at each step of the process. Here are some things to consider:

• What it’s made of: Recycled materials usually use less energy than mining or growing materials
• How and Where it’s made: Buy from a company committed to using renewable energy and wasting less water. Buy items that aren’t made in countries that rely heavily on coal (i.e. China, India)
• Packaging: Buy items that use less packaging
• How it gets to you: Buy local. Buy stuff that isn’t shipped as far.
• Waste: Sell or donate what you can to give it a longer life. Recycle what you can.

How we spend our money determines how companies spend theirs. If we prioritize goods made with recycled materials and made using renewable energy, they will too.

Some options:

1. Buy nothing. Join a local Buy Nothing group (Manlius/DeWitt, B-ville/Liverpool/North Syracuse) And repair or mend items before buying new ones.
2. Buy used from area thrift stores or online stores like threadUP (women and children only, search by your favorite brand) or Poshmark. Or rent items like designer dresses or baby gear.
3. Buy products from environmentally conscious companies:*
   1. Patagonia
   2. Pact (men, women, kids, bed, and bath)
   3. Known Supply (men, women)
   4. Prana (basics and activewear)
   5. United by Blue (outerwear, clothing, reusable)
   6. Boden (men, women, children, sold at Nordstrom)
   7. Shoes: The People’s Movement, AllBirds, Rothys (made of recycled plastic)
4. Unfortunately it’s hard to find environmentally conscious clothing companies in CNY. When shopping locally, try to buy pieces that will last, and mend clothing when you can. Or look for more items made from recycled materials
   1. LL Bean has coats and shoes from recycled materials
   2. Several popular shoe companies have options using recycled plastic or tires ( i.e. Adidas, Nike, Indosole, Saolo, North Face)

*We cannot say we have experience with all of these companies, nor are we recommending specific companies. We are just helping to identify options

1. Plastic- Replace some of these single-use plastic items you use with a reusable version:
   1. Plastic shopping bags
   2. Plastic straws
   3. Water bottles
   4. Coffee to-go cups with plastic lids
   5. Leftovers to-go containers (hint: if you eat out a lot, leave a small bag with a container in it in your car to bring in the restaurant for leftovers)
   6. Plastic utensils
   7. Plastic produce bags
   8. Plastic wrap

• https://www.electricauto.org/
• https://driveelectricweek.org/

CNY Region:

• Alliance for a Green Economy
• Bike CNY
• Greening USA
• Mainstream Green
• Sierra Club
• Solarize CNY

State, National and International:

• www.350.org
• www.eany.org
• www.gofossilfree.org
• www.nypirg.org
• www.peoplesclimate.org
• www.sierraclub.org

News:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/green

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAClimate

https://www.youtube.com/user/earthtouch

Podcasts:

http://www.yaleclimateconnections.org

Blogs / Other info:

https://www.ecowatch.com/

https://climatenexus.org/

• In 2011 221 solar panels were installed on the roof of Wellwood Middle School in Fayetteville, NY
• NYSERDA offers Small Commercial Energy Assessments