Use this page to find actions that your household has completed or plans to complete. Browse the categories on the left to find actions for the Power Saver, Green Leader, or Renewable Star Challenge.

Once you have signed in, you can click Add to My Challenge to add an action to your To Do List, Already Completed to mark an action as complete, or Not Applicable if the action does not apply to you.

Once signed in, you can rate each of the actions you have completed.
The highest rated action appear under the Most Popular Actions category.

ACTIONS

  • 5
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Use energy-efficient lighting in at least 75% of your lighting fixtures
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Fluorescent lights use up to 75% less energy than incandescent light bulbs, and can last up to 10 times as long. If you replace 20 bulbs with more energy-efficient lights, you can save up to $600 over the lifetimes of the bulbs. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) now come in all shapes and sizes. There are dimmable models, and models for recessed or outdoor lighting. Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting is even more efficient than CFL lighting, but with a greater up-front cost.

    Learn more about ENERGY STAR® light bulb options.

    If you need help selecting the right bulb replacements, smart phone apps like Light Bulb Finder can help you to choose the right bulbs to upgrade.

    Save on upfront costs by taking advantage of Potomac Edison’s lighting rebates.

    If you tried a CFL and didn’t like it, it may be because you didn’t select the right wattage, color, brightness, or size. When purchasing CFLs, use these equivalencies to get the brightness you are looking for (or roughly divide by 4):

    Incandescent CLF
    60 Watt 13 Watt
    75 Watt 18 Watt
    100 Watt 23 Watt

     

     

     

    Apr 07 Jesse Speak

    I am concerned about mercury so we do not use these. But, I am interested in LED lights if they are affordable.

    Jul 25 Donald Frank-Rice

    I have installed LED lights in all of the main rooms of the house. All that is left is the basement and bathroom.

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  • 2
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Use a smart power strip
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Using a Smart Strip can cut the cost of vampire power in a home entertainment system in half. Even when your TV, DVD player, video game systems, and other electronics are turned off, they are still using electricity as long as they are plugged in. A Smart Strip makes it easy to cut off power to multiple devices when they aren't in use. Plug your TV or computer monitor into the "master" outlet on the Smart Strip, and plug any devices that you want to remain always on, such as a DVR or lamp, into the "constant-on" outlet.  Other devices will only come on when the TV or computer monitor does, while devices plugged into the “constant-on” outlet remain on all the time. 

    Watch this video to learn how to use a smart power strip.

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  • 5
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    A key denotes a renter-friendly action.
    Eliminate the use of a large appliance
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    Eliminating the use of a large appliance can be one way to reduce the overall energy consumption of household appliances. When appliances reach the end of their useful life, consider if a replacement is really necessary. Also remember to recycle or properly dispose of old appliances when you purchase a replacement. Continuing to run an inefficient appliance, such as an extra refrigerator in the garage, can be costly. Not only will the old unit be less efficient than its replacement, but it may even use more energy by being operated in an unconditioned space.

    May 01 Susan Kraus

    I no longer use my dishwasher. And before I used to only run it to the setting prior to dry & then stop it & open it to air dry.

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  • 3
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Upgrade your refrigerator to a high-efficiency ENERGY STARĀ® model
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerators are required to be 15% more efficient than standard models. Utility companies and some retailers offer rebates for appliance upgrades, and the State of Maryland offers sales tax free shopping for selected ENERGY STAR® appliances each year over President’s Day weekend.

    Learn more about what to consider when purchasing a new refrigerator.

    Feb 11 Lisa Orr

    If you purchase an Energy Star appliance over Presidents's Day Weekend, your purchase is exempt from Maryland Sales Tax! (http://www.wtop.com/41/3225744/Energy-Star-appliances-exempt-from-Md-sales-tax-Presidents-Day-weekend)

    Feb 11 Lisa Orr

    Interested in a FREE Energy Star refrigerator? Learn about the Refrigerator Exchange Program at www.FrederickFridgeExchange.org!

    May 10 Nicholas Engel

    Is the REP still available?

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  • 3
    Green leaves denote the number of Green Points earned by completing the action and its relative environmental benefit.
    Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action. Hammers denote the relative amount of effort needed to implement the action.
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Dollar signs denote the relative cost of implementing the action.
    Free < $100
    $100-$500 $501-$2000
    > $2000
    Upgrade your washing machine to a high-efficiency ENERGY STARĀ® model
    You need to be signed in to add and complete actions.
    Add to my challenge Already completed Not applicable

    ENERGY STAR® certified clothes washers can use about 20% less energy and 50% less water than regular washing machines. Utility companies and some retailers offer rebates for appliance upgrades, and the State of Maryland offer sales tax free shopping for selected ENERGY STAR® appliances each year over President’s Day weekend.

    Feb 11 Lisa Orr

    If you purchase an Energy Star appliance over Presidents's Day Weekend, your purchase is exempt from Maryland Sales Tax! (http://www.wtop.com/41/3225744/Energy-Star-appliances-exempt-from-Md-sales-tax-Presidents-Day-weekend)

    You must be registered and logged in to leave comments