| What is your home's carbon footprint? Why | | | | - Maintain your oil furnace to make sure it is |
| should your care? | | | | operating efficiently. |
| Wikipedia says carbon footprint is "the total set of | | | | - Use energy-saving lamps: compact-fluorescent |
| GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly | | | | (CFL) or light-emitting-diode (LED) lamps. |
| and indirectly by an individual, organization, event | | | | - Wrap hot water heater with an insulation blanket |
| or product." | | | | designed for that purpose. |
| Your home's carbon footprint is the total amount | | | | - In wintertime lock all windows shut to reduce |
| of greenhouse gases attributable to your home - | | | | cold air infiltration. |
| both directly as in burning coal or heating oil at | | | | - If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper |
| home - or indirectly as in using electricity | | | | is closed and sealed tightly when not in use. |
| generated by coal-fired power plants. | | | | - If you about to buy a new wood-burning stove, |
| It is usually expressed as tons of carbon dioxide | | | | get an EPA-certified stoves. It emits 70 percent |
| equivalent per year. A typical American home can | | | | less particle pollution and are approximately 50 |
| be responsible for as much as 10+ tons. It is | | | | percent more energy efficient than wood stoves |
| important because greenhouse gases contribute | | | | manufactured before 1990. |
| to global warming and many adverse | | | | Switch to renewable energy |
| consequences for planet earth. You can help | | | | Switch to solar energy at home. Not only can you |
| reduce greenhouse gases from your home. | | | | save money on your electric bills, you'll reduce the |
| This article suggests two basic ways to reduce | | | | amount of carbon emitted from power plants |
| your home's carbon footprint: save energy and | | | | that produce your electricity. |
| switch to renewable energy sources And you also | | | | - Some states allow energy "supply choice" -- you |
| save money. | | | | choose your energy commodity supplier. Consider |
| Save energy | | | | choosing the supplier with the smallest footprint. |
| Cut back on energy use at home.If your furnace | | | | - Install solar-powered deck and garden lights. |
| burns fuel oil or natural gas, saving on home | | | | - Does your house have a large south-facing, |
| heating means your chimney will discharge less | | | | unshaded rooftop? If so consider installing a |
| carbon. You'll save money too. There are many | | | | rooftop solar power system. |
| things you can do to save energy. Here are just | | | | - Purchase a solar battery charger for your |
| a few: | | | | rechargeable batteries. |
| - Make sure your house has enough insulation. If | | | | - Purchase a solar water pump for your outdoor |
| needed, add extra insulation in the ceiling, lower | | | | water garden. |
| floor if over a crawl space, and walls. | | | | - Install solar-powered post lamps. |