From iVillage.com
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Here a few ideas you can use at home to reduce your carbon footprint
See the Light
Efficient 'fluorescent' light bulbs use less than half the energy to produce the same amount of light than traditional 'incandescent' bulbs. The US Department of Energy has estimated that over 400 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year could be avoided by switching to efficient lighting in the US alone.
Low-Carbon Cuisine
Think about energy in the kitchen. Take care not to over-fill pans and kettles. Use the correct size of ring or burner for your pan. Keep refrigerators ice-free.
Recycle to Reduce
Recycling materials can help to reduce carbon emissions by avoiding the need to extract and refine new raw materials. Recycling organic materials such as paper and cardboard can avoid emissions of methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) from landfill sites.
Did You Know?
The recycling of one kilo of aluminum can avoid the emission of up to 11 kilos of CO2.
Intelligent Insulating
Good thermal insulation and draught-proofing are some of the most cost-effective means of reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. Check out the quality of insulation in lofts and cavity walls. Check for gaps around doors and windows.
Less Hot Air
Most home energy is used for heating and cooling. Cost savings and CO2 reductions of over 10% can often be made simply by adjusting heating controls to reduce overheating and using natural ventilation more effectively.
Renewable Revolution
Renewable energy technologies can radically reduce the carbon emissions associated with the energy we use. Solar energy can be used both for heating water and generating electricity. Biomass heating systems are increasingly used in several European countries.
Did You Know?
New small-scale wind turbines are becoming available for household electricity generation.
Practical Plug-ins
When purchasing a dishwasher, television, or other appliance, look for a model that’s highly efficient. If possible, choose an appliance that has an official label, such as The Energy Star in the US or A/A+ rated in Europe.
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