Green Me Now

The Extreme Green Neighborhood Makeover aims to improve the energy efficiency and eco-friendliness of some homes in Washington, DC. "Our goal is to prove that even a small investment can reap huge rewards financially and environmentally," says Rhys Gerholdt, founder of CarbonfreeDC, which organized the event.

The organization won a $20,000 prize from the SunChips Green Effect Contest in July to launch the makeover campaign, according to the Washington Post. By August, more than 80 homes had applied for makeovers.

Twenty homes were chosen for the retrofits, which include programmable thermostats, compact fluorescent light bulbs, weather stripping, caulk and power-down power strips.

Dozens of volunteers have helped caulk windows, weather-seal doors, and conduct audits, the Post article says. The campaign has a second, more intensive phase, which will involve the replacement of furnaces and water heaters, as well as the installation of insulation and bamboo flooring.