better homes, better planet
Join the movement to help Oak Park residents lower their utility bills, improve their homes , and help fight climate change together.
Credit: Kelly Bauer/Block Club Chicago
better homes, better planet program stats
*last updated Q3 2021
Energy assessments
Since 2019, 273 Oak Park homes underwent energy assessments, saving over 323,000 kWh, which is enough to power over 40 homes for one year.
Free energy assessments in Oak Park are conducted through ComEd. Data spans from Q1 2019 to present.
community solar
275 Oak Park households have subscribed to community solar, enabling the generation of over 2,292,000 kWh of clean, solar energy, which avoids 1,625 metric tons of carbon pollution annually.
weatherization
Since 2019, 42 homes underwent free
weatherization services, saving over 131,600 kWh, which is equivalent to the carbon sequestered by over 115 acres of forest in one year.
rooftop
solar
Rooftop solar is supported through the Village of Oak Park. Data spans from Q1 2019 to present.
MC2 is Oak Park's community solar partner. Data reflected is from Q1 2019 to present.
Weatherizations are conducted through ComEd and Nicor. Data spans from Q1 2019 to present.
New Breakfast Menu
Removing 876 cars off the road for one year
Avoiding 53 tanker trucks' worth of gasoline
730 homes' worth of electricity for one year
This is equivalent to:
4,027
Tons of CO2
Better Homes, Better Planet's Carbon Mitigated or Avoided:
Removing 876 cars off the road for one year
Avoiding 53 tanker trucks' worth of gasoline
730 homes' worth of electricity for one year
This is equivalent to:
4,027
Tons of CO2
Better Homes, Better Planet's Carbon Mitigated or Avoided:
How is climate change impacting oak park right now?
Climate change is causing more frequent and intense rain storms, flooding, droughts, and tornadoes in the Midwest. Worsened rain events stress outdated stormwater and sewer infrastructure; water quality decreases due to overburdened systems.
weather
AGRICULTURE
Warmer, wetter weather in winter and spring create increasing spring planting delays in Illinois. Midwest agricultural productivity is projected to drop to levels of the 1980s.
Longer, hotter summers, poor air quality days, heavy rainfalls, and extended pollen seasons worsen public health. A hotter climate means a greater range of disease-carrying pests and insects.
public health
A quickly warming climate causes native plants and animals to lose habitat and be displaced by environmentally and economically destructive species like Asian Carp and Emerald Ash Borers.
biodiversity
take the next step
Already took action against climate change at home? Check out Oak Park's future Comprehensive Sustainability and Climate Action Resiliency Plan, or "Climate Plan" and help your village by adding community feedback. Your comments will help form the goals and objectives, highlight key local organizations, and ensure that the Plan can be implemented.