🌎 Earth Day 2025: Simple Ways to Make Your Home Greener And How CDLI Can Help

Earth Day is a reminder that big change starts at home. Whether you’re a renter in an apartment or a homeowner on Long Island, there are simple, powerful ways to make your living space more energy-efficient, climate-ready, and environmentally friendly. At CDLI, we believe that sustainable housing isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a matter of affordability, comfort, and long-term community resilience.

This Earth Day, we’re sharing a few easy, impactful practices you can adopt at home, plus three game-changing programs CDLI is offering to help you go even further.

1. Swap in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Replacing old light bulbs with LEDs, installing a smart thermostat, or upgrading to ENERGY STAR®-rated refrigerators and air conditioners can lead to significant energy savings. Even unplugging devices when not in use helps reduce phantom energy use.

Need help with bigger upgrades?

Our Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration upgrades—along with insulation, weatherproofing, and heating improvements for eligible homeowners and renters in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

2. Weatherproof Your Space

Drafty windows, under-insulated walls, and leaky doors force your heating and cooling systems to work overtime. Sealing gaps, adding insulation, and using weatherstripping are quick, cost-effective ways to reduce energy loss.

Want support making those improvements?

Through our Weatherization Assistance Program, CDLI offers no-cost insulation, caulking, door and window repairs, and more—helping you stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and save money year-round.

3. Make the Switch to All-Electric Systems

Thinking bigger? Replacing outdated oil or gas heating systems with efficient electric heat pumps can dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions and lower long-term energy bills. All-electric homes are the future—and they’re more comfortable and safer, too.

Owning a multifamily building?

Our Climate Friendly Homes Fund supports owners of 5-50 unit buildings in NY State in electrifying heating, cooling, and hot water systems, especially in underserved communities. Grants and financing are available to make it doable and impactful.

4. Plan for Extreme Weather with Climate Resilience Upgrades

From stronger storms to rising flood risks, it’s smart to think beyond energy savings and consider your home’s resilience. Sump pumps, storm doors, and raised electric systems can protect your property and reduce future repair costs.

Live in a flood-prone area or near the coast?

The Long Island Resiliency Retrofits Program offers up to $50,000 in combined grants and low-interest loans to help you storm-proof your home while improving energy efficiency. No minimum credit score is required—and you can choose your own contractors.

Small Steps. Big Impact.

Every improvement—no matter how small—contributes to a greener, healthier planet and a more affordable home. This Earth Day, take a moment to look around your space and ask:

• Can I reduce drafts or insulate more effectively?

• Are there lights or appliances I could upgrade?

• Do I qualify for help making bigger changes?

At CDLI, we’re here to help our neighbors take climate action right at home. Our programs are designed to make sustainability accessible to everyone—whether you're ready to install a heat pump or just want to start with a few lightbulbs.

Let’s work together to build homes that are efficient, resilient, and Earth-friendly—today and every day.