During the winter, carbon emissions may increase as more people are using heat in their homes. Whether it be from appliances or heating systems, your home can be one of the sources of this increase. Don’t worry! There are steps you can take to reduce your carbon emissions this winter.
Fix Energy Leaks
An energy leak is any area of your home where air is escaping in or out of your house. These leaks make it so your heating system has to work harder. Fixing the energy leaks in your house allows you to use energy more efficiently. You can save money and lower your impact on the environment. One way to address energy leaks is by improving the insulation in your home. Pay careful attention to insulating your attic space as this is an area where a lot of heat is lost. You should also make sure your windows and doors are well insulated. It may be helpful to have your house checked to see where air may be escaping.
Switch to Electric Appliances
Much of the carbon emissions from homes is due to appliances. They use a great deal of energy and can be wasteful. In order to reduce your carbon emissions, consider switching to more efficient electric appliances. For example, you can replace your fireplace with an electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces lead to healthier indoor air because there is no wood or gas to burn. They also reduce the amount of carbon released into the outdoor air. Similarly, you can switch to an electric stove rather than a gas stove. This will give you many of the same benefits as an electric fireplace.
Get an Efficient Water Heater
In the winter time, hot water is a necessity. However, you can switch to a different water heater that allows you to still get plenty of hot water in the winter while also being more energy conscious. We just recently purchased an instant water heater and we really love it. More than 2 people can take a shower in a night and you never run out of hot water. The best part, you aren't heating water when you aren't using it! There are many different types of water heaters. Each type has different benefits, but not all of them are perfect. For example, a solar water heater reduces the amount of electricity produced to heat your household’s water. However, they can be costly and are only useful in areas with a lot of sunlight. As you decide on a more efficient water heater, consider all the factors and determine which will work best for you.
Decreasing your carbon emissions is an important step. While some methods may be more costly or something to consider long-term, there are plenty of things you can do now. Start looking for ways you can decrease the carbon emissions from your home.
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