Methods of reducing one's carbon footprint generally revolve around drawing less on nonrenewable energy sources and reducing waste. To reduce your home's carbon footprint, you should review your everyday activities, then cut back on practices that have a net effect of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. While you may not be able to single-handedly restore the rain forests, changing the way you live at home can help shrink your carbon footprint and offset the damage that others cause as well.
Find the contact information for companies that send you junk mail, and then request -- via email or telephone -- to be removed from their mailing lists. To find this information, you'll generally need to open your junk mail, rather than tossing it directly in the trash or the recycling bin. Eliminating junk mail helps cut back on the amount of raw materials needed to produce new paper products and on paper waste your home generates that needs to be recycled. For companies that you enjoy doing business with, ask to be contacted via email rather than through hard copies of catalogs and fliers that appear in your mailbox.
Install a programmable thermostat to stop running your heater and air conditioner needlessly. These devices cost about $50 at the time of publication, money that you can usually recoup in energy savings during the first year of use (see References 1). More efficient heating and cooling reduces the amount of energy needed to keep your home comfortable.
Walk around the inside of your house on a windy day, feeling around windows and doors for air leaks. Use spray foam or install weather stripping to reduce the entry of cold air into your home and the escape of warm air.
Check the insulation in your attic. Blown-in insulation tends to compact after time, reducing the R-value, which is the rating that measures the insulation's ability to resist the flow and transference of heat. Add additional insulation to bring the level of the material slightly above the level of the floor joists. Use attic insulation with a value of R-38 or higher in most areas and R-25 or higher in hot, humid zones. (See References 2, 4)
Replace your regular lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) that help save energy. These bulbs use almost 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Note that CFLs contain mercury, so dispose of old or broken bulbs in accordance with the instructions on the package or with your sanitation department's disposal regulations. (See References 5)
Conserve water in your home by installing low-flow toilets and shower heads designed specifically to reduce water waste. Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth or standing in front of the mirror to shave. Although leaving the water on may be a long-ingrained habit, shutting it off during these activities can help save thousands of gallons of water every year, as well as the energy required to treat and heat it. (See References 1)
Separate your trash from your recyclables. Contact your local recycling agency or public waste disposal department to determine the proper way of preparing and separating items for recycling. In addition, compost as many food scraps as possible. If you don't have a use for compost in your own backyard, see if your city has a composting program for its green spaces or ask neighbors or gardening shops if they could use your compost or compost ingredients. Recycling reduces the amount of energy used to manufacture new materials and products from scratch. Composting keeps unnecessary materials out of landfills, and proper use of compost itself can cut back on the amount of watering you need to do at your home.
- Talk to your children about ways they can help you reduce your home's carbon footprint. Setting a good example and explaining the reasons for concern over carbon emissions can encourage them to adopt positive habits early in life.
- Follow all instructions and safety precautions when installing programmable thermostats and plumbing fixtures. If you have no experience with these types of home repairs, contact an electrician or plumber to perform the installations.
- Carbonfund.org: Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
- Energy Star: Air Seal and Insulate with Energy Star
- "365 Ways to Live Green"; Diane Gow McDilda; 2008
- Energy Star: Recommended Insulation Levels
- Energy Star: CFLs
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