How Low Can You Go: Tips on Lowering Your Home’s Carbon Footprint

Time to cut your carbon footprint and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions because it all starts at home. Carbon dioxide accounts for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions, and electricity makes up the largest portion of CO2 emissions. This means that in order to lower your carbon footprint, you must look to the electricity-hungry appliances in your home with a critical eye. In other words, you must go towards energy efficiency in a big way.

I talk about reducing your carbon footprint in the Green Guru Guides book Do It Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley.  As stated before, there are over 140 different ways you can decide to make your house energy efficient.  Furthermore, I suggested in the book and Parts Select did in this infographic. In addition, here are some other options to reduce your carbon footprint!

As Parts Select, some of the worst electricity-sucking appliances are a desktop computer. As well as the infamous clothes dryer. I mean you can’t get an Energy Star rating on a dryer! Geez!

Therefore, in order to cut down on energy, consider drying your clothing on a line. Especially outside in the warmer months will cut your carbon footprint. For appliances and devices that are entirely necessary, keep in mind that unplugging them when not in use can save you money, and send less carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Remember, just because a device is not turned on, does not mean it isn’t using power. Make a habit of unplugging your countertop appliances all at once so you don’t forget.

Luckily, manufacturers are starting to make energy-efficient appliances standard. Replacing your current appliances with Energy Star versions can save you thousands of dollars on your energy bill over several years. Until you are in a position to replace your appliances, there are some efforts you can make to reduce your usage of your current ones. For example, planning meals in advance can decrease your need to use the oven and stove. Boil several eggs at once rather than that single day’s portion, and be mindful of not preheating the oven too far in advance of your food prep.

Adopting these measures, both large and small, is enough to reduce the size of your household’s carbon footprint.

Source: PartSelect.com

greenlivingguy

The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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