Protecting Our Lakes and Waterways

Avoid storm water runoff containing fertilizers, fuel, pesticides, and dumping litter and grass clippings into our lakes and waterways. It promotes algae growth which depletes the water of oxygen destroying fish and other aquatic life - essential to the beauty and safety of our environment.

Fuel Efficiency

Drive more efficiently / obey speed limits. Keep your vehicle in shape / keep tires inflated properly. Plan and combine trips / avoid idling in traffic. Choose a fuel efficient vehicle - get 5 to 33% savings in fuel cost.

Green Yards

Avoid excessive paving around your home. It causes water to run off and pollute our water sources. Greener yards keeps your home cooler, and helps you cut down on your energy bill.

Pollution Prevention
Preventing pollution is good for the Earth and your health. It provides cleaner air and water; creates less waste; conserves natural resources, and lowers electricity/water bills. The best way to prevent pollution is to reuse, reduce, recycle!

Indoor Air Quality
Inate the use of products containing toxic chemicals - included in flooring, wall finishes, and cleaning products. Ventilate your home regularly and vacuum weekly. Install good quality air filters, and run the exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.

Energy-Wise Landscaping
Use trees and other plants to help shade your home to help reduce cooling costs (up to 25% in savings). Also conserve water along with energy by using xeriscaping methods applicable to the climate surrounding your home.

Outdoor Lighting Savings
Replace outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor equipped bulb or fixture. These devices will keep areas well lit when you need them to be while reducing your energy bill.

Preventing E-Waste
Millions of pounds of "e-waste"- discarded electronics - containing hazardous chemicals and heavy metals ends up in the municipal solid waste stream. Contact local environmental agencies for information on how to recycle your old electronic equipment.

Organic and Local Foods
Buy food that is grown without harmful chemicals. Also buy foods from local farmers at community / farmers markets. These foods are fresher, better tasting, and require less fuel to ship. This way you help the environment, and it is better for your health!

Showerhead's Water Savings
Replace pre-1996 showerheads with high-efficiency models (2.5 gallons per minute or less). Also, take shorter showers and your potential savings will amount to 45,990 gallons plus $92 per year. Call (305) 448-7283 for showerhead exchange program information.

Sealing Air Leaks
Tiny gaps and cracks in an older home are roughly equivalent to a one-foot square hole in your wall. Sealing exterior gaps with caulking and weather stripping doors and windows can save you over 10% on your energy bill per year.

Energy - Efficient Appliances
Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models (10% to 50% less energy use) and significantly cut your energy bill. Look for the ENERGY STAR label as a minimum.

Energy Saving Lighting
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights –a compact fluorescent will usually last ten times longer that a regular bulb, easily paying for itself.

Summer A/C Energy Savings
• Replace your air conditioning filter once a month -- dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the coil in your air conditioner to freeze up significantly increasing energy use.
• Set the A/C thermostat to 78 degrees with the fan set on “AUTO”. For more savings, set it to 82 degrees when you are away.

Summer Travel and the Environment
• During those long vacation trips, keep your vehicle tuned to prevent pollution. Gasoline vapor production increases during hot summer months.
• Avoid excessive idling. It wastes money, fuel and contributes to air pollution and generates carbon monoxide.
• Avoid refueling on "OZONE ACTION DAYS" (hot, muggy days, with little wind, when the amount of ground level ozone is predicted to approach unhealthful levels).
• If you must refuel on "OZONE ACTION DAYS", do so early in the morning or after 7:00 p.m. Secure the gas cap after refueling to prevent vapors from escaping.

Hurricane Preparedness and Recycling
• Reuse undamaged and clean plastic water jugs to store water for emergencies.
• Thoroughly wash plastic containers with soap and water that is safe for drinking and air dry for a minimum of 1 hour before storing water in them.
• If water is not used for hurricane emergencies, use the water for cooking within a few days after storing or use it for cleaning or watering your garden.

Water Conservation
Repair any leaks in your kitchen or bathroom faucets, as soon as possible. The cost to repair a leaky faucet is minimal compared to the cost of wasted water. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year!

Water Saving Irrigation
Water early in the morning, so that the water soaks into the soil instead of evaporating. Lawns only need 1” of water per week. Set the sprinkler at the setting that gives off large drops of water, low, and close to the ground.

Protecting Grass Areas
Keeping grassy swales in front of our homes help collect stormwater runoff from hard surfaces around them. It removes pollutants as stormwater infiltrates into the soil and replenishes the aquifer below – our sole source of drinking water that allows us to live here.

Ceiling Fan Benefits
Using ceiling fans can make you feel about 8 degrees cooler, and reduce air conditioning bills by 40%. When is not too hot outside, turn off the AC, open a few windows and allow ceiling fans to circulate the air.

Carpooling
If every commuter carpooled every day, he or she would save 500 gallons of gasoline and 550 pounds of poisonous exhaust emissions every year. Sharing a ride to work or school would help reduce traffic congestion, too.

Cool Roofs
To reduce the cost of cooling your home (up to 40% savings), install a cool roof next time you re-roof. White tile roofs are better than darker ones, and it helps in reducing the "heat island effect" in your community. Check the SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) of the material before buying it.