Reduce Your Home's Carbon Footprint: Top 5 Tips

What is a Carbon Footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide or other carbon compounds produced from the consumption of fossil fuels. As the effects of global climate change become ever more apparent and ominous, individuals, organizations, and governments are assuming responsibility to limit the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses emitted as a result of our daily activities. A carbon footprint can refer to how much carbon dioxide we cumulatively produce from all our activities or just from certain products or pursuits.

Why Renovate Instead of Building New to Reduce Carbon?

While new homes tend to be much less energy-intensive to operate, there is an enormous carbon footprint associated with the construction process itself. A new home might limit your energy expenditures by half through improved thermal performance, energy-saving fixtures, and even passive house design. A UK study found that a newly built, small, two-bedroom cottage would contribute over 80 tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Compare this to only 8 tons of carbon dioxide emissions for a complete home renovation.

How Do HVAC Upgrades Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioners (HVAC) account for 40% of all carbon emissions associated with a home. So, one of the most impactful changes you can make to reduce your home's carbon footprint is opting for more energy-efficient HVAC systems and moving away from fossil-fuel-burning furnaces (even high-efficiency options). Consider going all-electric with a geothermal or air-source heat pump.

Why Install Renewable Energy to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

Perhaps most important, investing in renewable energy technologies is a very impactful step in lowering your home's carbon footprint. While making advances in energy efficiency is certainly important, it is only possible to reduce a certain amount of the energy your home uses. Even the most energy-efficient home will need some heating, cooling, and lighting, all of which require energy.

Deciding to produce all or a part of the energy your home uses through renewable energy technologies can significantly cut back on your home's carbon footprint. Solar and wind energies, to name just two familiar sources of renewable energy, operate carbon-free. While there is an obvious cost to investing in renewable energies, and carbon expended in their production, these technologies are increasingly more affordable. There are also many tax credits, as well as financing and leasing options available. 

How Does Composting Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

Carbon dioxide is considered to be the main culprit for global climate change. What may surprise you is that other greenhouse gasses are more potent and dangerous when released into the atmosphere. Though methane accounts for a much smaller percentage of total emissions, it is 30 times more potent as a heat-trapping gas than CO2.

The EPA estimates that over 15% of all methane gas emissions in the country come from municipal landfills. In these landfills, anaerobic bacteria begin the process of decomposing organic waste to produce biogas. This gas consists of methane and carbon dioxide, both of which are greenhouse gases and contribute to global climate change. By choosing to compost your organic waste at home, you can help to limit this anaerobic decomposition process that occurs in landfills. Instead of methane and CO2, the byproduct of composting your kitchen scraps is rich soil fertilizer you can apply to your vegetable garden or flower beds.

How Do Electric Vehicles Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

The transportation sector accounts for 27% of all US GHG emissions from fossil fuels. While transportation is not generally associated with people's homes, your home's location and the vehicle you drive can significantly affect carbon emissions. Though walking, bicycling, or taking public transportation is the best option for reducing your carbon footprints, electric cars can also help. Engines that run on gasoline will always burn fossil fuels. Electric motors that draw power from the utility grid are less carbon-intensive and are getting cleaner, as electricity grids invest more in renewable energy. So, if you are renovating your garage, it's a good idea to make sure the electrical outlet is capable of charging an electric vehicle.