How Do You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Any person who advocates for the Earth knows what the three R’s are for. Together, it is an effective and simple way of reducing waste which will, in turn, help our planet.

Climate change and global greenhouse gas emissions are some of the most serious environmental issues our world is facing today. We are experiencing shifts in the globe’s climate that it has affected us humans and other life forms.

More and more individuals are becoming proactive in addressing environmental issues. Now, the fight as moved to the basic unit of society — the family in the home.

What is Carbon Footprint?

Time For Change defines carbon footprint as “the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)”.

These carbon compounds are emitted through the consumption of fossil fuels. These gases greatly contribute to the drastic warming of the planet called “Global Warming”.

Average American’s Carbon Emissions Sources

According to globalstewards.com, the average American’s carbon emissions come from:

28 percent – Transportation

26 percent – Things You Buy

17 percent – Home Heating and Cooling

15 percent – Other Home Energy Use

14 percent – Food

This basically says that every person contributes to the emission of carbon compounds into our atmosphere. Therefore, it is everyone’s responsibility to try and reduce their carbon footprint.  What better place to start than in the home.

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Reducing Carbon Footprint at Home

There are many ways you can make a difference. Reduce your carbon footprint by practicing these simple but effective steps in your house:

Go Solar

this alternative renewable energy source reduces or eliminates the need to use fossil fuel for energy.

Solar panels attached to the roof of your house can power part or the entire home. Having them installed may initially cost you a little more. However, it will help you save more money in the long run. You can even earn money by selling the solar electricity you’ve harvested back to the power grid.

To offset the costs of solar panel installations, you may look for lenders who are willing to roll these home improvement expenses into your mortgage refinancing. Local and state governments may also provide incentives to those who use this renewable energy.

Seal and Insulate

One of the biggest sources of carbon emissions it by heating or cooling the home. Simple home improvements such as caulking, insulating and weather stripping will help minimize the need to heat or cool a given space.

another best option is to have programmable thermoregulating systems which control the thermostat just tight and turns off when you’re not around.

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Lights and Appliances

Update your furnace and appliances with more energy efficient ones. To easily identify such appliances, look for the Energy Star label. Simple things like turning off lights when not in use can make a huge impact. Also, consider replacing incandescent bulbs with LED ones.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

This one never grows old. Reduce your consumption to reduce waste. Reuse items if they are safe to do so. Recycle and repurpose things instead of throwing them out immediately.

We can do our part in helping the environment. If you believe that it’s time to make the necessary home improvements to make your home more earth-friendly, click here.

There are many home financing and refinancing programs that can help you afford energy efficient changes. Talk to a lender today and learn more about it.

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