How to Have a Green Home and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in Asheville
According to Merriam-Webster, a carbon footprint is the measure of greenhouse gases and specifically carbon dioxide emitted by something (such as a person’s activities or a product’s manufacture and transport) during a given period. Electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas and humans have become increasingly reliant on it. Below is a list of simple changes you can make to have a green home and reduce your carbon footprint.
Use LED Light Bulbs
Once your incandescent light bulbs stop working, replace them with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are more expensive but last much longer and use 80 to 90% less energy than incandescent light bulbs, providing you savings over time.
Use Power Strips
Some electronics use energy even when not in use. Consider buying power strips for your appliances and electronics so you can turn off the power strip when the electronics or appliances are not in use.
Use Cold Water
Water heaters require energy. If it’s not necessary to use the warm water, then keep it cold. You can wash most loads of laundry with cold water and save energy. You can even do your dishes in cold water to save energy!
Properly Insulate Your Home in Asheville and Fletcher, NC
Check windows and doors for places where cold air may be infiltrating the home. If needed, caulk your windows and replace weather stripping where needed. Be sure to check the ductwork in your attic or crawlspaces for leaks also. When there are tiny holes and cracks in your ductwork, then you’re losing air that you’re paying for and wasting energy. A properly insulated home will help keep down costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Consider installing spray foam insulation. It is more expensive than other products but is a powerful insulator and improves energy efficiency.
Use Alternative Means to Keep Cool During Summer and Warm During the Winter
Use ceiling fans. They should rotate counter clockwise during the summer months to push the cool air down and rotate clockwise during the winter months to pull warm air up to circulate around the space.
During summer, keep the blinds and curtains closed when facing the sun and avoid appliances that warm your home. Instead of using the oven and dryer, consider using crockpots and the stove and dry your clothes outside.
During winter, leave the oven door open after cooking to help warm the home. Of course, if you have young children or curious pets this may not be prudent. Open blinds and curtains during sunny days and let the sunlight warm your home. Use extra blankets when watching tv or sleeping at night, versus turning up the thermostat.
Maintain Your Heating and Cooling Systems in Asheville
Keeping to a regular maintenance schedule for your heating and cooling system will ensure that your unit is working efficiently, thus, reducing the amount of energy consumption. Sheer Comfort Heating & Cooling can help maintain your system and reduce energy bills with regular maintenance.
Think Green
Consider your actions and the ways in which you use energy. You can do simple things like turn off lights, computers, and televisions when not in use, unplug phones and tablets when done charging, cook foods at the same temperatures, and use candles to reduce your carbon footprint.
Go Green with Sheer Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning!