4 Quick Home Updates That Will Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
In the environmentally-conscious world that we live in, people are always looking for ways to do their part. When it comes to your home, it’s likely one of your biggest contributors to your overall carbon footprint. To help reduce your footprint, here are some quick home updates you can do.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
One of the biggest energy wasters in your home can be an outdated thermostat. It has trouble properly reading the temperature and will run for hours trying to keep your room at the designated setting. Update your system by installing a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat works to more effectively monitor your indoor air climate and shuts off the heating source when temperatures are at their optimal level. Just be sure to install the thermostat away from windows, vents, and other drafty areas that could cause the thermostat to misread.
Update Your Windows
Your windows are a big factor in determining how much you pay to heat and cool your home. Windows that are not well insulated can allow your heat to leak out of your home during the window or could trap heat during the summer, requiring more effort on your HVAC unit’s part. Not only will this increase your carbon footprint, but it will raise your energy bills sky high. Windows which are constructed with insulation and UV reflection technology allow you to save a bundle on energy costs. If your windows are outdated, consider a window replacement for your home.
Install Ceiling Fans
Most homeowners use about 40 percent of the space in their home regularly. You should consider installing ceiling fans in these rooms so that you can help to disperse the air better. A ceiling fan can help in the winter months to blow the warm air back towards the floor. This can assist in keeping your family comfortable at lower temperatures so that you don’t have to run your furnace so much during those cold winter months.
Install Energy Efficient Appliances
While it can be costly to upgrade all the appliances in your home at once, you should have a clear idea of the type of appliances you’ll be getting when an update is needed. As your old appliances start to malfunction or you just want a change, you should opt for energy-efficient appliances. Newer appliances with Energy Star rating can save you a bundle when compared to your old appliances by using less energy.
Reducing your carbon footprint is fairly easy to do. When it comes to your home, there are many ways you can take action. The above four are a great place to get you started. We’re sure you’ll come up with many more in the future.