Tips for Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Your New Home

Have you wanted to reduce your carbon footprint, but it always seemed like a big challenge? Or, you felt like it was never the right time? Well, is there a better time to make this change than after you move? You’re already starting fresh and making some changes to your routine.

So, why not go all the way? Moreover, there are so many simple things you can do to reduce your personal and household carbon dioxide emissions. In this article, we’ll list some of the simple ways of reducing the carbon footprint in your new home without compromising your comfort.

Plant a garden

It’s so simple to go to the shop and purchase some fresh vegetables. But have you ever considered how far all that produce has been trucked and how much CO2 has been dumped into the air as a result? By growing your own vegetables at home, you can have a small but significant effect on the environment.

It’s the first step to sustainable living.  Moreover, besides the one we mentioned, there are multiple other reasons a garden in your home can positively affect the environment. Some of them are:

1. Plants absorb carbon dioxide, which lowers greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
2. Green spaces help to cool cities that are overheating due to all of the concrete and pavement.
3. If you can grow trees for shade, you’ll save up on AC in the summer.

Unplug your electronics

Did you know that even when an electronic device is turned off, it still consumes power if hooked into a wall socket? Although it doesn’t draw nearly as much as when it’s turned on, it can add up in the long run. That’s why unplugging your electronic devices when they’re not being used can be your very first step in reducing the carbon footprint in your new home. It might be inconvenient at times, but even the most minor steps matter. Additionally, you can use biodegradable cables to make your home even more sustainable!

Dry your clothes outdoors

Tumble dryers consume a lot of energy. That is why, wherever possible, you should dry your items outside. You will not only lower your energy expenses, which means more money in your pocket, but you will also reduce your carbon footprint. Simply buy a clothes rack or a clothesline and hang all your laundry to dry in the sun.

Switch to LED light bulbs

Another low-cost and straightforward improvement you can make is to replace incandescent light bulbs with LED lights. This is one of the easiest ways to make your new home eco-friendly. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy that a typical bulb does. They are also capable of lasting longer when compared to other bulbs. While the initial cost of LED light bulbs is unavoidably higher, they quickly pay for themselves. If you can’t afford to replace all of your light bulbs at once, start with the ones in the rooms you use the most. And the best thing is that you can even pair them with some stylish yet eco-friendly lamps!

Conserve water

Because water is so available, we often don’t even think about it. Simply turn on the water, and it will flow out. But consider how much energy and effort it takes to bring that water to your house in a drinking state. It must be treated and pumped, hence increasing our country’s carbon footprint. You can make a significant difference by minimizing the quantity of water you use. You’d be surprised by how much water you can save by taking a shower instead of a bath or repairing leaks that cause your toilet to run frequently.

Install renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint in your new home

Investing in renewable energy solutions is a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of your new home. Even the most energy-efficient home still requires some heating, cooling, and lighting, all of which demand electricity. Deciding to produce all or a portion of the energy your home needs using renewable energy technology can drastically affect your carbon footprint. Solar and wind energy, for example, are entirely carbon-free. Furthermore, there are numerous benefits of switching to solar panels as well. By using solar power as one of your sources of energy, you’re opening yourself up to numerous tax benefits, as well as financing and leasing possibilities.

Moving into your new home

You can start reducing your carbon footprint before you even move in! By planning an eco-friendly move and doing the proper research, you can easily pull off relocation in accordance with your lifestyle. One of the ways you can do it is by opting for reusable moving boxes instead of the typical cardboard boxes you’ve most certainly used in the past. These moving boxes are composed of plastic and function similarly to the standard plastic bins you’d buy for storage around the house. These are excellent for securing your items while minimizing waste. Moreover, you can do some research and pick an eco-friendly moving company. Yes, those exist!

Draught-proof and insulate your new home

Your carbon footprint can significantly increase if your house is not adequately insulated and/or has draughts. One of the solutions to this problem can be putting more insulation in the loft. However, replacing outdated windows with more energy-efficient models may be a far more effective solution. Obviously, your available budget will define what you can and cannot do in terms of sealing and insulating, but begin with the basics and work your way up.

Reuse, recycle, and repurpose

Finally, the most straightforward approach to reducing the carbon footprint in your new home is to begin recycling. Once you get into the habit of doing this, you’ll find yourself striving to do it everywhere you go. Moreover, you will start to recycle more than just the usual plastic waste. Even though replacing outdated appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models is a start in the right direction, there are numerous additional scenarios in which you should attempt to reuse, recycle, and repurpose your other belongings.

There are plenty of ideas on recycling or reusing old furniture online if you just look for them. 

Stay Green!

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