Sustainability
What does sustainability mean to us at Community & Council? Simply put: living today in a way that doesn’t reduce the capacity for others to live equally well, or better, in the future.
How does that play out in our homes? There are many different ways! Sustainability in a home can mean making changes to the design, construction, and materials used in a home to reduce its environmental footprint. It typically involves making energy-efficient upgrades to reduce energy consumption, such as installing energy-efficient appliances and lighting, using renewable energy sources like solar power, or installing insulation to increase energy efficiency. Other sustainable practices include using eco-friendly materials such as recycled, reclaimed, or low-impact materials (like cork or bamboo instead of hardwoods).
Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for new appliances and consider using compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Other energy-saving strategies include turning off lights and electronics when not in use, using cold water for laundry, and unplugging devices when they’re not in use.
Solar Panels
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity and can provide a significant portion of the home’s energy needs. If your home has the perfect sun exposure, you could even end up selling energy back to the power company! To learn more, check out our video!
Water Consumption
Water is a finite resource and it takes a lot of energy and effort to purify it for household use. Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets, turning off the water while brushing your teeth, and using rain barrels to collect rainwater for gardening and other outdoor activities helps! Additionally, you could consider replacing a traditional lawn with a drought-tolerant landscape.
Insulation
Insulation reduces the amount of energy that is lost through walls and ceilings, acting as a barrier between the inside and outside of a building, trapping heat (or cool air) and keeping it from escaping. This reduces the amount of energy required to heat and cool a building, resulting in lower energy bills!
TREES ATLANTA
Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit community group that protects and improves Atlanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving, and educating. In addition to their aesthetic value, trees improve air quality, help to conserve energy through cooling, reduce stormwater runoff, mitigate noise pollution, and provide shelter for wildlife.
Did you know that in many parts of Atlanta, Trees Atlanta will come and plant trees in your neighborhood and even in your front yard, reducing your energy consumption (especially in summer)? Check out the programs on the website!
SOUTHFACE INSTITUTE
Southface is the premiere sustainability and green building organization in the Southeast (located in Midtown Atlanta). They have both programs/resources and services that can help your business or home improve its energy footprint.
THE CENTER FOR HARD TO RECYCLE MATERIALS CHARM (LIVE THRIVE)
CHaRM is a recycling facility that encourages reuse and diverts thousands of pounds of household hazardous waste and other hard-to-recycle items from Metro Atlanta landfills and water systems. They will take almost anything and have convenient drop off appointments. Check out their list of what they accept and plan a trip there to keep your household waste out of landfills!
GEORGIA POWER HOME ENERGY AUDITS & MONEY-SAVING TIPS
Home energy assessments are conducted by trained professionals who evaluate and diagnose opportunities for improvements that make your home more comfortable and save you money. You can also qualify for a rebate on your home energy assessment.
There are also rebate information, tips, and product recommendations available on the website to help save you money and reduce your energy consumption!
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DIY PROJECTS & MORE
For guides and videos that show you how to complete DIY projects that can help save you money and energy including caulking, weather stripping, installing storm windows, insulation, and more!