Offset Your Carbon by Winterizing Your Home

Summer has left us and winter is just around the corner. One of the simplest ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint is by preparing your home for the coming cold weather.

Its one of those things many of us do anyway but will really reduce your energy use and thus your impact on carbon emissions. Remember the less we use traditionally produced electricity the better off the planet.

Sealing doors and windows eliminates drafts which in turn lowers the amount of heat used to keep a room warm. Less heat, less money, lower carbon footprint. Use draft excluder made from used clothes filled with fabric scraps and reuse plastic bags and sheeting by making it into window covering.

Turn down the heat on your hot water tank. 120 degrees is more than adequate. Most tanks are set at 140 or higher which is both dangerous and unnecessary. Lowering the temperature on the heater will make your house safer for small children and make a large dent in your electric bill.

Wear a sweater rather than turning up the thermostat. It can get really cold in winter but make sure not to overcompensate. A well sealed room with adequate insulation is just fine with a thermostat set at 68 degrees. Not only does this save money but it offsets carbon emissions and stuffy rooms. Its winter, you should be wearing layers anyway.

Improve your insulation by adding a layer in the attic. Traditional insulation has quite the carbon footprint. These days there are several green alternatives including fillers made from newspapers and old clothes. Get the best that you can afford as the savings in energy loss and use are well worth it.

Consider alternative fuel sources. A wood burning stove is better than a coal burning electricity plant. You can plant new trees but not new fossil fuels. It’s also a good way to reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill.

Taking a few minutes to look around your home and think of ways to reduce heat loss and energy use is smart, practical and green. The planet will thank you for it even if the electric company won’t.