The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation recently released these 10 steps that all of us can take to help keep our planet healthy. Some of the side benefits to adopting some of these changes include saving money, healthier living, and increasing our homes resale value!
Don't drive, use transit
Switching some of your local travel from a car to public transit can save up to 230 kg of CO2 per year for every 1,000 KM you drive.
Think Smaller
Dropping your family car a size or two can eliminate 1,100 - 2,600 kg of CO2 each year. This change will also save you hundreds of dollars at the gas pump.
Stay Grounded
For shorter family trips, taking the bus or the train instead of travelling by plane can benefit both the planet as well as your wallet.
Reduce Home Heating Bills
If you live in an older home, improving it's energy efficiency (with new windows, insulation, a high-efficiency furnace, etc) or even just lowering the thermostat by a degree or two can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Reconsider Your Space Needs
Larger homes use considerably more energy. The next time you consider moving, ask yourself if a smaller home might better fit your needs.
Buy Green
When buying appliances, choosing the most energy-efficient models can save up to 400kg of CO2 per year.
Stay Out of Hot Water
Wrapping your hot water heater in a thermal blanket and keeping it turned down to 50 C can save a family of four 600kg of CO2 per year.
Eat Your Vegetables
Adopting a less meat-intensive diet can have a significant impact on your greenhouse gas emissions, plus benefit your family's health.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Cutting your garbage production by just one bag a week can save your family 300kg of CO2 per year.
You Have the Power
In response to consumer demand, many utility companies are introducing Green Power options at a premium price. By switching to green power, you can reduce your home's CO2 emissions.
There are many benefits to making your home more energy efficient. It can reduce energy use, drafts, summer overheating, moisture and condensation problems, personal health issues, noise from outside and greenhouse gas emissions. Making only a few of these changes can lead to signifant increases in your quality of life, as well as those of future generations.
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