Green Your Home
Whether you’re a renter or own a condo or house, there are two easy and meaningful steps you can quickly take help fight climate change in your home:
- Go to Mass Save® to sign up for a free energy audit of your home. Then take as many of their recommended steps as you can.
- Sign up for 100% renewable electricity through the Town’s official program, Brookline Green.
Got that checked off your list? Here are some more easy actions that will help you reduce your energy consumption (and bill!):
- Turn off lights when they are not being used and switch to LED bulbs.
- Did you know that 5% to 10% of your home energy usage may be from appliances that you think are turned off? Learn about “vampire appliances” and how to stop them from wasting energy (and your money).
- In the winter, lower your heat thermostat to 55 degrees while you are away or when you’ll be asleep.
- In the summer, try not to set your air conditioner lower than 77 degrees.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Adjust refrigerator settings to 37-40 degrees and freezer to 0-5 degrees.
- Use a microwave or convection oven instead of a conventional oven whenever possible.
- Consider an induction cooktop (you can borrow one for free from the Brookline Library to try it out).
- Avoid running water continuously while doing dishes, washing up, brushing teeth, or shaving.
- Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water. Take shorter showers.
- Wash clothes in cold water. They will still get clean – honest – and they’ll last longer, too.
Ready to do even more? Whether you’re a renter or own a condo or house, check out Electrify Brookline’s website for a wealth of information on how you can make your home healthier and more energy efficient, including How To Guides and other resources such as information about available financial incentives and a list of contractors used by other Brookline residents.