Seven Steps to Clean, Efficient Energy
Taking these 7 steps ...
Eliminates your home’s carbon footprint
Improves your indoor air quality
Saves money every year
Increases your resale or rental value
We can do this — together!
Use our Toolkit
We have a whole set of online tools you can use to help you make the transition every step of the way!
Click the steps below to learn more about each step.
The Toolkit
Each tool below will help you along your path to clean energy!
Calculate your Carbon Footprint
Sometimes our use of fossil fuels isn’t very obvious. Your “carbon footprint” is a measure — usually expressed in tons of CO2/year — of all of the greenhouse gas emissions released from your home or business. We can each take personal responsibility for our carbon footprint, and the best way to start is to establish a baseline. Think of it as the starting point of your journey to 100% renewable energy!
Once you’ve measured your footprint, you can begin to eliminate the GHG sources using The Checklist (below). As you do, come back to this tool and take a new measurement and record your progress. You’ll be able to take pride in doing the right thing for our children and grandchildren.
Calculate your Carbon Footprint!
This self-audit is a calculator to help you discover — and quantify — the total greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide and methane) from your home or business. This interactive tool will provide you with a baseline for your carbon footprint. As you make changes, you can revisit this tool and track your progress away in eliminating your footprint and toward 100% renewable energy!
Select a Solar Option
Today, everyone can go solar — with or without installing solar panels on your roof. Thanks to New York State’s forward-thinking solar policies, our electric utilities are required to buy the electricity produced by solar farms built within their service territory. But only if we subscribe to purchase that solar electricity. That’s the essence of something called community solar.
So there are two options for going solar:
- installing solar panels on your home or business
- subscribing to a community solar program
Installing panels on your property can be a great choice. Although it requires a significant investment, owning your own photovoltaic system will save money and produce significant amounts of electricity in the long run. Sustainable Putnam can help you find a local solar installer to complete the job and put you on the path to energy independence.
Community Solar is the other major option is to subscribe to a solar farm: also known as Community Solar, you install nothing. Instead, you purchase power from a solar farm at a rate that by law is less than what your utility charges. Thanks to New York State’s forward-thinking solar regulations, there are no upfront costs, cancellation fees, or other charges! You receive up to a 10% discount on your electricity bill, while you reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants, create good jobs and a clean, green electrical grid in New York State!
Click the white “Go Solar” button to find your best option. If you already know that installing panels isn’t right for you at this time, click the green button below for details.
Should I install panels or join Community Solar?
Not sure which form of solar is right for you? Complete our questionnaire to help you decide. Take ten minutes to answer these questions and choose the best solar option for you and your household or business. Do it today and go solar!
Funding your Transition
The Checklist is a list of actions you can take to eliminate fossil fuels, and a record of your accomplishments.
Use the Checklist to find the easy steps — the low-hanging fruit —that cost little and can be accomplished quickly. Check them off, and pat yourself on the back. Then move on to those that require more effort, knowing that each will save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve your health.
Like to work with paper and pencil? Click “Download PDF” below.
Are you the digital type? Click “Get Google Doc” below and “Make a Copy” to create your very own digital Guide. Hint: Copy and paste the check mark icon next to each completed task as you go
The Guide to Funding your Transition
Download our free guide to learn about the state and federal financial incentives available for your clean energy transition.
Virtual Consultation: Have a question about funding and emergency services? Need info on installing solar? home insulation? heat pumps? electric vehicles? Whatever the topic, Sustainable Putnam can answer your renewable energy questions. Schedule a free phone or Zoom consultation with Joe Montuori, our trained Energy Coach. Appointments are available in 45 minute time slots on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Choose an On-Site Energy Audit: We can perform a basic energy audit and report on areas of your building that need weatherization or any other Seven Step upgrade. Schedule a free, 90 minute site visit with our trained Energy Coach, Joe Montuori, and receive a written report with recommended next steps.
We're here to help.
Schedule a free Virtual Consultation or an On-Site Audit to receive guidance and recommendations from our trained expert as you continue your journey to save money through a carbon free, 100% clean energy building.