Biggest ways to reduce carbon footprint from your home

The problem of managing carbon footprint seem overwhelming, but experts note there are easy ways for consumers to make a difference every day. Here biggest ways to reduce carbon footprint from your home

Biggest ways to reduce carbon footprint from your home

Stop waste more

Simple solutions to lower your food waste (and these tips will save you money, too.): 

• Take stock. Organize your fridge regularly to check on what you already have, and make grocery shopping lists before you go to the store to prevent buying things you don’t need.
• Be wary of bulk. Low-priced food might seem like a good deal, but it’s not if you don’t end up eating it before it goes bad.
• Plan. Don’t cook more food than you can eat. Account for the right amount of food for the number of people eating, and adapt recipes to your needs.
• Get creative. Reuse leftovers instead of tossing them.
• Freeze. Extend the life of your food, including additional portions, as well as produce like fresh herbs, by freezing them properly.  
• Doggie bag. Take home half of oversized restaurant servings. 

Save your water

• 1. When you brush your teeth, be sure to shut off the water while you lather up. Don’t leave it running: Only turn it on when it’s time to rinse your mouth out.
• 2. Take shorter showers. A fun way to do this is by listening to a 5 to 10 minute song, then shut the shower off when it’s over.
• 3. Don’t flush things down the toilet to dispose of them. One flush can waste up to 5 or 7 gallons of water!
• 4. Avoid dish/body soaps filled with toxins. Conventional dish and body soap contain ingredients that go down the drain and only further pollute our water supply. Make the switch to all-natural, eco-friendly soap.
• 5. Host or join a waterway cleanup in your local community. Keep those waters plastic-free!
• 6. Opt for reusables. Lots of disposable items take gallons of water to make. For example, one roll of toilet paper takes 37 gallons of water; A single disposable diaper takes 144 gallons of water.

Energy Efficiency

Seal your home well. Trouble spots can include the attic, windows, and doors, where heat and cool can escape.  

Insulate your home. This helps keep the temperature stable. There are a range of materials you can use. This guide can help you to choose the right one. A professional energy auditor can help you work out if it’s time to re-insulate. Some insulation does degrade – for example, prior to the 1940s, sawdust and newspaper were used for insulation. You should remove insulation too if it has damage from pests, if it smells, or if it’s wet or moldy.

Install a cool roof. This is made of a reflective material that redirects light away from your house, keeping it cool. 

Plant shrubs and trees around your home. This is an easy, and pretty, insulation fix, especially for older homes. 

Check the energy-efficiency rating for your windows, doors, and skylights. Consider replacing those that don’t meet modern standards. 

Look into incentives. These may include tax credits and rebates. 

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Heat, Lights, and Appliances

In the average American home, 25 percent of energy is used to heat spaces, 13 percent is used to heat water, 11 percent is used for cooling and the remainder is spent on appliances

• Turn down your water heater — 120 degrees Fahrenheit is sufficient.
• Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them. Turn off appliances at the power outlet to reduce even more energy. Putting them to sleep is second best.
• Stream movies through your smart TV, not your game console. Smart TVs and their plugins use just a few watts to stream movies, Mr. Horowitz said, but if you use your game console, energy use is about 10 times higher, because they aren’t optimized to play films.
• Buy a laptop, not a desktop computer. Laptops take less energy to charge and run. 
• Replace lights. LED lights use up to 85 percent less energy, last up to 25 times longer and are cheaper to run than incandescent lights. About two billion sockets in the United States still have an energy-wasting bulb in them, said Mr. Horowitz. “This is a massive opportunity that we could change almost overnight,” he said. 
• Don't set your fridge and freezer temperatures lower than necessary. The United States Department of Energy recommends around 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment and 0 degrees for freezers. (And unplug that old fridge in the garage when you don't need it to chill anything.)
• Choose renewables. If you live in a state where you can choose your energy supplier, pick one that runs on renewables.
• Replace old fridges. They are “energy hogs” according to Mr. Horowitz, and can cost you up to $100 extra per year to run. “If it’s 15 to 20 years old,” he said, “it’s a no brainer to recycle it.”
• Turn down the heat. Use a programmable or smart thermostat, if you have one. Keep blinds closed to help keep temperature stable inside.
• Look for an Energy Star symbol when buying new products. This certification means a product has met energy efficiency standards for the United States.

Also read : Tesla Solar Roof Tax Credit >> Click Here/

How to change from fossil fuel to renewable energy

• Install solar panels on your roof: This is the most expensive option, but a good one if you feel you can make the investment. Talk to a professional and a trusted company before making the leap. Your own utility may even offer installation.
• Join a community solar farm: This is a lot more feasible if you’re on a budget. Or don’t have a suitable roof. The solar farms are remote and don’t require you to install anything on your property. In return, you’ll see savings on your energy bill over time.
• Sign up for energy-saving programs: Many utilities are beginning to offer programs that will help you reduce your energy usage, and save a buck. See if yours offers any you can take advantage of.
• Cut down on electricity use altogether: No matter what you decide to do, using less electricity is always the best option. Invest in more energy-efficient products (I personally only buy products with the energy star logo on it), and make sure to shut off lights when you’re not in a room. Pull plus out when not in use too.
• Buy an electric car: When it comes time to buy a new car, instead of buying a traditional car, why not buy electricity? If it’s too out of budget, consider buying a used EV or hybrid instead.

Source:

Livia Albeck-Ripka from Nytimes.com https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint)

Ariana Palmieri from goingzerowaste.com  (https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/5-ways-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/)

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