The carbon footprint of your home is as individual as you are. You can start to be more environmentally responsible and begin reducing carbon footprint by using an energy audit. This will help you find other necessary factors like the construction and age of your home. You can check on the infrastructure like the wiring, plumbing and heating. A thorough appraisal of the appliances in your house and how they are used is also relevant.
Once you are through with the appraisal, you should be able to determine certain areas to lessen carbon footprint. Below are some tips to lessen your home’s footprint.
Make your home energy-effective. You need not make any major upgrades. You can do basic things like properly closing the windows and make sure that the attic is properly insulated. This will also save you dollars on your utility bill. Keep your heating and cooling systems well-maintained and if it is possible, switch to using reusable filters. Replace incandescent light bulbs to compact ones, which use less energy.
Buy only organic and local food. When the food is locally grown, there is a greater chance that is grown with eco-friendly methods. Try to eat at restaurants that serve locally made foods.
Be particular on food packaging. Look for a store or shop that minimizes on packaging. It is better to buy loose tomatoes than those in plastic wraps. When grocery shopping, bring along a reusable tote bag. It is better than plastic and greatly helps in protecting nature.
Minimize using bottled waters. Bottled waters have a big impact on the environment because they are usually bottled somewhere else and then shipped all over. You can buy a canteen or reusable water bottle. These days, many restaurants are now using in-house infiltration to make tap water preferable than bottled ones.
When landscaping, make use of locally grown plant species. Organic soil is preferable when planting and it is made in eco-friendly systems and uses lesser resources. Planting something, anything green helps preserve nature.
In shopping, you can do window-shopping first. This will let you note on things that you need and prevent you from buying unnecessary items.
When you are away for several days, you can turn the water heater mode to vacation mode. This will keep the water warm but will not consume a lot of energy in keeping a tank full of steaming hot water. This will save you hundreds on your utility bill and reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
When unused, make sure to unplug all appliances. Most electronics have standby modes that siphon energy even if they are not used. Laptops, stereos, TVs and cell phone chargers are just among the appliances you need to unplug.
Reducing, Reusing and Recycling helps in lessening your home’s footprint. You can reduce by buying less, reuse and fix things instead of buying new ones and recycle as much as you can. Your little ways can go a long way in lessening protecting Mother Nature.
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