Karen Bellas

What Steps Can You Take To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

This is easy to do. Take the time to make this simple changes, it will save you energy and money.

Help Reduce Your Home's Hunger for Energy
 
Becoming more environmentally astute and reducing our reliance on dwindling fossil fuels is the responsibility of all of us, young and old. In almost every phase of daily life, our carbon footprint can be reduced to help maintain our limited resources and the best place to start is in the home. Basically, our carbon footprint measure the impact human activity has on the environment as a whole, which is both directly and indirectly measured in emissions of carbon dioxide. This can encompass virtually everything from how much electricity we use, how much fuel our cars consume and even what brands of toiletries we buy. At home families can, to an extent, take control and reduce consumption of energy, which can also reduce household bills considerably with little extra inconvenience.

Steps To Creating Sustainability at Home

In many homes, the heating and air conditioning systems account for nearly half of the household's total energy consumption. This is a good place that you can begin to save money and become more  environmentally friendly. The general rule is that for every degree that you raise the temperature that your thermostat is set to, you will save three percent on your energy bill. Another good tip is to keep curtains closed during the hottest part of the day, and open a window to allow cooler air in at night. You can also utilize ceiling fans in areas of your house that you don't use all the time, and that can produce a lower energy bill each month. One way to save an average of two hundred and fifty dollars a year on your electricity bill is to make sure that you unplug electronic devices such as televisions, computers, and cell phone chargers when they are not in use.

Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs for the home, they last much longer and offer much better energy efficiency. For example a 13-watt florescent bulb has the same ability to light your home as a 60-watt old style incandescent model. Other easy steps that can greatly reduce your need for energy include using sunshine and cool breezes to dry your laundry. Is that energy sucking tumble dryer necessary day in day out? How about foregoing that long soak in the bathtub for a quick and refreshing shower every once in a while?

Your Garden can be Ecologically Balanced as Well

To make your back and front yards more environmentally friendly, plant trees. Not only are trees a great source of shade, but they also reduce carbon dioxide while producing oxygen. Neighbors, friends, and family members can be encouraged to plant trees as well, therefore making a larger global impact on the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. Trees can also add value to your home, as many buyers prefer a mature yard with trees. Monitor your sprinkle system to make sure it is efficiently watering targeted areas, and not squandering water on streets or sidewalks. Consider exchanging your gas or electric lawn mower for a manual mower. These manual mowers will help you get more exercise while lessening your dependence on fossil fuels. Planting a garden full of home grown vegetables and herbs will lower your food costs and make your yard more environmentally friendly as well.

Although some new homes are being built to utilize solar and geothermal generated energy, the average household does not have to purchase equipment like that to begin to lessen their own environmental impact. Small steps can go a long way toward lessening your overall environmental impact and your household's carbon footprint. Since an average American emits 20 metric tons of carbon annually, a reduction is needed so that the United States does not continue to be one of the world's largest polluters and consumers of energy.

Article Tags: More Environmentally, Carbon Footprint, Carbon Dioxide

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