What can you change to reduce your carbon footprint (the impact you have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced)?
Here are some simple ideas to get you started . . .
- wash clothes in cold water
- line-dry your clothes instead of using the clothes dryer
- only run the dishwasher when it is full
- turn off the water while brushing teeth
- change standard lightbulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones
- make sure faucets don't leak
- turn off lights when not in room
- unplug chargers, stereos, DVRs & TVs when not in use
- turn off computer, monitor, printer, and speakers when not in use
- don't stand with refrigerator door open
- air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher drying cycle
- take short showers
- set hot water heater to 120 degrees F (this can cut energy use up to 25%)
- close fireplace dampers
- check for holes or cracks around walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches and electrical outlets (these are all places where air can leak out of your home)
- use weatherstripping to close up gaps in doors and windows
To check recommended insulation levels and perform a home energy audit, go to www.energysavers.gov.
Although it's more expensive, one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home retain it's proper temperature year-round is to add insulation to your attic. I saw some insulation on Home Depot's web site that is made from recycled paper. They said that you can achieve any R-value that you'd like.
Programmable thermostats are also helpful in cutting energy costs. You can set it for temperature at which the heat or air will come on (maybe it's different for each day of the week) and there's even a vacation mode.
Much of the above information is included in a helpful booklet produced by the U.S. Government. You can download the entire booklet at www.eere.energy.gov/consumers/tips.
One chart in the booklet that I found particularly interesting listed how a typical household uses water:
clothes washing - 32 gallons per use
showering - 20 gallons per use
bathing - 20 gallons per use
automatic dishwashing - 12 gallons per use
preparing food - 5 gallons per use
hand dishwashing - 4 gallons per use
This really gets me to thinking, "How can I use less?"
Conservation. I can do this. And you can too. It's easy, really.
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