Using renewable energy that doesn’t release carbon into the atmosphere is the most important thing you can do to lower your personal footprint.
Quick Wins
- Reduce your peak demand: Try to use less electricity in the after-work hours each day. For example, run your dishwasher and washing machine in the mornings, at bedtime, or on weekends. It may seem like this doesn’t make your energy any cleaner, but when your energy provider doesn’t need to provide such a high amount at peak times, it is able to provide more of its energy overall through renewables, and your net effect is positive.
- Pay for some renewable energy each month. If you can’t afford to pay for all of your electricity usage from green energy, often you can pay for a smaller block monthly. See the Fort Collins Green Energy Program and Poudre Valley REA’s Green Power Program.
- Help fund renewable energy projects in other communities. Every bit helps.
Big Impacts
- Buy renewable energy for your home’s entire electricity usage. This not only reduces your footprint, it encourages more investment in green energy in general. See the Fort Collins Green Energy Program and Poudre Valley REA’s Green Power Program.
- Buy solar panels for your home’s roof, for all or part of your electricity usage. In the summer, your electricity will be generated during part of the time of day when electricity is most expensive, and can even help earn money back. See the resources page for local companies offering solar installations and hookup.
- Buy electricity from a community solar program. If you rent or for other reasons can’t have your own solar panels, you can participate in solar arrays elsewhere. See Fort Collins Community Solar or PVREA’s Community Solar or Grid Alternatives.