Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: At Home

Big Carbon Footprint Game

Thanks to everyone who participated in our game last week.  We added quite a few stickers!  

This week we are focusing on ways to reduce our carbon footprint at home.  I hope you will join us!

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:  At Home

We spend so much of our time at our homes; it is also one of the best places to reduce our carbon footprints – and save money too!

1. Use a programmable thermostat
2. Set the thermostat cooler in winter and warmer in summer
3. Change air filters regularly for best airflow
4. Buy efficient AC and heating units
5. Get a home energy audit (you can request a free one from Pepco)
6. Seal air leaks, replace old windows, or add insulation
7. Set hot water heater to 120° F
8. Buy low flow shower heads
9. Wash clothes in warm or cold water; rinse with cold
10. Use a clothes line instead of dryer wherever possible
11. Turn off lights when not in a room
12. Turn off TV and computer when not using.  Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
13. Unplug chargers when not using, as the transformer in the AC adapter draws power continuously, even when the device is not plugged into the adapter.
14. Buy energy efficient appliances.
15. Keep your computer in low-power mode as much as possible; use automatic switching to sleep mode or turn it off.
16. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator.  Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
17. Buy/use Halogen, LED or florescent light bulbs.
18. Install solar-powered outdoor lights.
19. Put solar panels on your roof (Solar City has a 20 year lease program, or you can purchase your own.)
20. Buy clean energy.  PEPCO distributes electricity from many providers; you have a choice.  For clean energy, see Ethical Electric, Viridian power with purpose; Inspire Energy; Oasis Energy (sells dirty energy also); and Washington Gas Energy Services (has wind power options).  They all have web sites with their respective rates, contracts, etc. 

Resources:

http://www.pepco.com/my-home/save-money-and-conserve-energy/efficiency-rebates-and-incentives-and-programs/  There are several programs, including: peak energy savings credit; energy wise rewards; lighting program; home energy check-up program; and more.

energysaver.gov

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Transportation

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:  Transportation

Over 40 percent of each person’s carbon foot print comes from transportation. This equals 16 TONS of carbon emissions per person each year! So doing activities to reduce your transportation carbon is a great way to reduce Our Big Carbon Footprint.  

1. Learn the carbon emissions of your car

2. Learn the carbon emissions of air, bus, train, and boat travel

3. Carpool/Rideshare

4. Walk

5. Bicycle, Unicycle, Tricycle to work, school, errands, etc.

6. Take Bus, Take school bus

7. Take Metro (once a week, every day, or whatever works for you!)

8. Combine errands to make fewer trips

9. Replace air travel with car, bus, train, or boat travel

10. Learn efficient driving techniques. Don’t speed.

11. Moderate use of your car’s air conditioning (and heat)

12. Service your vehicle regularly

13. Keep car tires properly inflated

14.  Don’t idle car

15.  Remove excess weight from your vehicle

16.  Drive a low emission vehicle

17.  Telecommute and teleconference

18.  If you must fly, fly economy class (each flyer’s share of carbon emissions is less because it’s spread over more people).  Avoid private jets.

19. Vacation closer to home

20.  Buy local produce.  Avoid produce that is transported from South America or other distant places

21. Offset your carbon transportation use

Resources:

https://energy.gov/energysaver/saving-money-gas

http://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-emissions/

https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles

Offset Transportation Emissions

Offset your carbon transportation use.  Avoiding the release of CO2 and other greenhouse gases is the best and most direct way of reducing our climate change impact.  Yet, some emissions are unavoidable.  For those, offsetting is a worthwhile option.  This is done by purchasing ‘carbon credits’ from accredited companies which offer this service, who will then invest those dollars in (for instance) renewable energy projects or planting trees.

http://carbonfund.org/reduce/

http://cotap.org/home/how-it-works/

Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques

Fuel-efficient driving can not only save you hundreds of dollars in fuel each year but also improve road safety and prevent unnecessary wear on your vehicle.

Accelerate gently: The harder you accelerate the more fuel you consume. Pretend there is an open cup of coffee on your dashboard and try not to spill it.

Maintain a steady speed: Consider using cruise control for highway driving.  However, it can also be helpful to allow your speed to drop when you travel uphill, then regain your momentum as you roll downhill. 

Anticipate traffic: Anticipate traffic, pedestrians, etc, and keep a comfortable distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.  This will help you maintain a steady speed and keep everyone safe.

Avoid high speeds: Most vehicles are most efficient between 30-55 mph.  A vehicle uses about 20 percent more fuel at 75 mph than at 65 mph.

Coast to decelerate: This uses less fuel, and reduces wear and tear on your tires and breaks, which can reduce your maintenance costs.

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/transportation/cars-light-trucks/fuel-efficient-driving-techniques/7507

The Big Carbon Footprint Game is Coming!

In March and April, the UUCR Green Team will be presenting the Big Carbon Footprint Game!  Each week will have a different focus:

March 19th - Transportation

March 26th - Home

April 16th - Food and Water

April 23rd - Stuff We Buy

Here is how to play:

1. Using our list or thinking of your own, choose a carbon reducing action.

*This can be a pledge to take a new action or an affirmation of something you already do.

2. Write that action on a sticker.

3. Put the sticker on the giant footprint.

4. Follow through!

Keep looking here for ideas each week on how you can reduce your carbon footprint.