So, it’s New Year Day and you may have already started to forget or stray from your resolutions. Instead of being upset with yourself. How about trying a few simple things that will help you reduce your carbon footprint?
Here’s a few things you can do to reduce your home carbon footprint:
Programmable thermostat – Costs about $50 or less and will save you that much or more in the first year.
Weatherstripping and Caulking – Costs almost nothing while reducing your energy use, reducing drafts and improving comfort.
Lighting – Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) have that cool curly shape and save more than 2/3rds of the energy of a regular incandescent. Each bulb can save $40 or more over its lifetime. Read the box or instructions for safe disposal. LED light bulbs are even more efficient to run than CFL bulbs and are just as affordable. In addition, LED lights contain no harmful materials and provide the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent, using up to 85 percent less power. This helps you save on your electricity bill without compromising on the amount of light.
Heating and Cooling – Keep your heating and cooling system(s) tuned. When it’s time to replace, do your research and ask for ENERGY STAR.
Insulation – Weatherstripping, caulking and insulation work together to save you energy, improve the comfort of your home, make it quieter and help you save money. Water-Conserving Showerheads & Toilets – You can reduce water and heating costs, even in your bathroom. To save even more water, turn the faucet off when brushing or shaving. These simple changes and steps can save many thousands of gallons of water annually.
Appliances – Always pay attention to the total lifetime cost, including energy—not just the price tag. Look for the ENERGY STAR label. Bigger isn’t always better – Just get the size you need; do you really need that extra refrigerator in the basement?
Electronics – Look for ENERGY STAR. And do like your Mom said- turn things off. If you’re going away or not using an item for awhile, unplug it to prevent “vampire” energy loss from electricity usage on standby.
Windows – These can be expensive, but when it’s time to replace them, make sure they are ENERGY STAR rated.
Solar – We love solar, but make sure you reduce your energy load first to keep your costs down.
New Home – Consider an energy-efficient ENERGY STAR Home.
Another good source: http://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/
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