Transportation and Emissions

The largest proportion of community emissions is linked to how we get around. According to our 2019 greenhouse gas inventory, 41% of community emissions were from transportation. Nationwide, half of transportation emissions come from personal cars. Moving towards a lower-carbon transportation future will take effort, but every step towards a more sustainable mode of transportation is worth it!

Week Without Driving Challenge

Take the Week Without Driving Challenge and immerse yourself in sustainable and alternative transportation options. Challenge yourself to make climate-friendly swaps on a regular basis to reduce your carbon footprint.

Reducing Trips and Emissions

With the services and technology available today, getting around doesn't always have to involve driving. Consider telecommuting and opting for virtual meetings at work. Combining trips to make more efficient routes not only saves time but also helps reduce emissions.

What is Idling?

Idling refers to running a vehicle's engine when the vehicle is not in motion.

When to Turn Off Your Car?

• In a drive-through.
• In the school pick-up line.
• While waiting between errands.

Engines don’t need more than 30 seconds to warm up, even on cold winter days. Driving is the best way to get an engine to optimal temperatures. If it's very warm or very cold, instead of waiting in the car, consider going into sheltered areas while running errands.

When to Keep Your Car On?

• While in traffic, even slow traffic. It's unsafe to turn off your car on the road.
• During extreme weather conditions when passengers are inside.

Idling wastes up to half a gallon an hour in smaller vehicles and because an idling vehicle is not running optimally, the incomplete combustion can damage the engine from excessive fuel residue.

Newer vehicles come equipped with auto idle stop, which helps increase fuel efficiency by shutting off the engine when it's not needed, such as at stoplights, drive-throughs, and in stopped traffic. This feature allows the engine to quickly restart when the gas is pushed. Even with a newer vehicle, turning your vehicle off for stops can help improve air quality and increase the life of your vehicle. If auto idle stop is disabled in your vehicle, you can re-enable it to improve fuel efficiency.

Temperature Control

The biggest energy user in your home is any temperature-changing device (air conditioning, heating, water heater, dryer, space heater, refrigerator, and freezers). Using these less can significantly reduce your energy bill. 

Weatherization

A well-insulated house helps maintain temperatures inside for longer, requiring less effort from heating or cooling systems. Here are some DIY projects to improve your home's efficiency and lower your electricity bills:

• $$ Add insulation to your attic and unairconditioned garages.
• $ Replace worn-out or add weather stripping for drafty doors or windows (and a door sweep, if needed). For smaller air leaks, caulking may be better suited to help.
• $ Insulate outlets and switch covers.
• $ Replace worn out gaskets on refrigerators or freezers. If you can place a piece of paper between the door and easily pull it out when closed, it’s too loose and should be replaced.
• $ Add window coverings.
• $ Replace air filters bi-monthly.

 Water Heater Best Practices

Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees F. Higher temperatures often aren’t used because of anti-scalding devices.

Fridge Best Practices

Use fridge and freezer thermometers to ensure food safe and energy efficient temperatures. Fridge can be between 35 – 38 degrees F and freezers can be between 0-5 degrees F. Settings of 10 degrees cooler use up to 25% more energy. Be sure to leave room in your fridge and freezer: overcrowding your appliance not only makes food waste more likely, but it reduces air flow and can create pockets of warmer and colder air that lead to higher energy use.

Smart Thermostats 

Use smart thermostats (or timer features on thermostats) to keep indoor temperatures closer to outdoor temperatures when you’re away from home. Regularly setting the thermostat to 2 degrees closer to outside temperature can reduce energy costs by up to 6 percent.

Fans

Use fans to cool people or pets, not rooms. Running a fan around the clock costs about $12 a month.

Phantom Energy

Unplug devices when not in use to avoid phantom energy draw. Use smart power strips to stop drawing power when it's not needed.

Run Full Loads

Run appliances like dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. Washing clothes in cold water reduces energy costs and protects clothing.

Drying Racks

Use drying racks instead of dryers to cut energy costs and be gentle on clothes. If using a dryer, fill the load to ¾ or less for efficient use.

Energy Star

Upgrade to Energy Star-labeled appliances and check for tax credits!

Heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling to buildings, despite their name. These appliances regulate temperatures by transferring heat from one place to another. During cold weather, the heat pump extracts heat from the air or ground and transfers it into the building. In warm weather, it reverses this process, removing heat from inside and releasing it outside.

This method is more efficient than traditional systems because it transfers heat rather than generating it. Additionally, most heat pumps are ductless, which prevents cooled or heated air loss to attics or basements.

In essence, a heat pump is a versatile device that can warm your home in winter, cool it in summer, and do so while being mindful of your finances and carbon footprint.

While upgrading to a heat pump can be initially costly, there are ways to make it more affordable. Look into current rebates and tax incentives, but be sure to verify eligibility and requirements with the relevant agency before installation to maximize benefits.

Try Department of Energy's Cold Climate Heat Pump Decision Tool to help with sizing and selection. The decision tool can take fifteen to thirty minutes to complete.

• Energy Star Federal Tax Credits
• Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives (Heat Pumps and Furnaces) 
• Low-Income Weatherization Assistance (Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action)
• Oregon Department of Energy Incentives
• Peak Energy Rebates (PGE Customers)
• EV Charging (PGE Customers)
• Energy Efficiency Programs & Incentives (Salem Electric Customers)

Tips on choosing contractors for solar or energy efficiency projects

1. Credentials - Ensure that the contractor (and subcontractors) are licensed, bonded, and insured in your area. Look for a contractor with at least 3 years of experience.
2. Transparency - As the client, don't hesitate to ask questions. Inquire about warranties, eligibility for solar incentives, the modeling assumptions used to estimate pay-off rates, and the involvement of subcontractors in the project. Seek clarity on the oversight provided by your installer.
3. Roof Conditions - Your installer should assess your roof conditions early in the process. Discuss where the panels will be placed in relation to vents and whether any repairs or replacements are needed before installation. Clarify responsibility for any roof damage or leaks that may occur. 
4. Pricing - Contractors may have different rate structures and use different models to estimate energy usage and pay-back periods. Obtain multiple quotes and consider scheduling a meeting with your power provider to better understand your energy consumption.

Remember, thorough research and clear communication with potential contractors can help ensure a successful and efficient solar or energy efficiency project.

More information: Department of Energy's Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar.

Sustainable Purchasing Decisions

Consider the lifespan of items before purchasing and explore borrowing options. The Salem Public Library offers a range of items through its , from hobby equipment to specialty baking pans, which cardholders can borrow instead of buying.

Proper Disposal

Dispose of items properly to reduce their environmental impact. Check Marion County's recycling guidelines for household items and visit their website for information on recycling hard-to-dispose items.

Reducing Food Waste

Wasted food not only produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, but also wastes the resources that went into making it. Household food waste accounts for a significant portion of total waste and has a considerable environmental impact. To reduce food waste:

• Organize your food storage to prioritize items that need to be consumed first.
• Store food correctly to prolong its shelf life.
• Shop intentionally and plan meals to avoid overbuying.
• Be realistic about your cooking habits and plan accordingly.

Reducing food waste not only benefits the environment but also saves money on grocery bills. Learn more with the Bad Apple Campaign.

Reducing Textile Waste

The textile industry's fast fashion model has led to a surge in textile waste. The average American discards about 80 pounds of textile waste per year, a significant increase from the 1960s. If you're interested to learn more, watch the 30-minute course from Make Fashion Clean. To address this issue, engage with initiatives like Make Every Thread Count, which aims to reduce textile waste.

Reducing Electronic Waste

Electronics contain materials that are energy-intensive and harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. Oregon law prohibits electronics from going to landfills, so it's crucial to recycle them correctly.  Find electronics recycling sites near you to ensure these materials are recycled responsibly.

Treating and delivering water is energy-intensive. Reducing water usage not only conserves this valuable resource but also reduces the energy demand on grids. In Western states like Oregon, water conservation has the added benefit of preserving the environment by keeping water in streams, which helps maintain soil quality and support plant growth. Healthy soil and plants act as "Carbon Sinks," absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

Landscaping

Landscaping is the biggest residential water consumer. Watering to support plant growth is important, but it's essential to do so efficiently. Use timers or irrigation systems to water plants, not streets. Most plants only need about 1 inch of rain per week. Check weather forecasts before watering and calibrate automated systems to incorporate rain gauge data.

Indoor Water Use

Other significant water users in homes are toilets, washers, showers, faucets, dishwashers, and leaks. Switching to EPA WaterSense products can save up to 20% water. Additional ways to reduce daily water use include:

Conserving water not only benefits the environment but also reduces energy consumption and helps create a more sustainable future.