TIPS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING |
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The concept of carbon footprint is one that is quite evident and impactful but isn’t something that is discussed too often. Yet, understanding it and taking conscious efforts to reduce it is of paramount importance. For those, who do not know what carbon footprint is all about, it is defined as the amount of carbon that is produced by an organisation, product, or an individual either directly or indirectly. Depending on personal habits, location and choices, everyone’s carbon footprint differs. Once we understand the role we play in the greenhouse emissions, we tend to ask ourselves what contributes the most to our carbon footprints. If you think of automobiles as an obvious answer then you are somewhat wrong. What we fail to realise is that many of us are generating hefty carbon footprints at our homes with our incessant heating and cooling habits which come up to nearly 50% of energy usage. Even though many people aren’t taking global warming seriously, it cannot be denied that efficient energy usage treads lightly when leaving carbon footprint and ensures a cleaner environment. Below are some useful tips and methods to help you negate the harm done to the environment and reduce wastage of precious resources and have a better tomorrow for a better future. Clean vents Clean HVAC vents and ducts regularly and replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Mind the gaps The gaps around doors and windows in most houses are too big for proper insulation. Good insulation will help keep the cold and hot air inside the house where you need it. Gaps can be filled by caulking and weather stripping as well as with the help of heavy drapes and other window treatment. Plant trees Plant leafy trees on the south side of the house. During summers they block sunlight and keep the interiors cool and in winter they shed their leaves and allow sunlight to warm up your home. Go low flow Water heaters account for highest energy usage after heating and cooling of homes. Try to take shorter showers and use low flow shower heads instead. You can go for aerating variety which will give you the same water pressure but uses air instead of water. Turn down the water heater The default setting on the water heater is 140 degrees Fahrenheit which is set by the manufacturers and is too hot for humans to bear. Turn it down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and you will not scald yourself by accident. Put on a Jacket Traditional water heaters have a hot water tank ready at all times. A cheap jacket available at any home improvement store will help insulate the water tank. Glow right If you are still using compact fluorescent bulb then you need to upgrade your lighting options to LEDs. They use a fraction of the energy as compared to the older types of bulbs, last way longer and provide better lighting. Clean the fridge Cleaning the vents and fans of your refrigerator will not only make it hygienic but will also make it work more efficiently. Unplug
Electricity is used to power up the electronics in the household and 75% of it is used when they are turned off. Remember to unplug the devices when not in use or use smart power strips to cut off power to appliances in standby mode. Get smart Get an upgrade for yourself by getting appliances that can be connected using internet. This will enable you to check up on these through your phone or tablet and give you access to the appliances at home and what’s happening with them from anywhere. Plus, you would not have to worry about leaving your TV on again. Applying these tips to your home will make your household more energy efficient and will make this world a better place to live. Take one step at a time and be more conscious of the carbon footprint you’re responsible for.
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AuthorAndrew Finch ArchivesCategories |