Nearly two-thirds of carbon emissions globally are a result of household consumption of energy. So, some of the most significant changes that need to come about in the fight against climate change are centered around individual households.
On screening around 7000 studies worldwide, a 2020 report found that taking action against climate change means fixing, redesigning, and upgrading our homes. These changes range from using renewable energy and creating composting units to switching out high energy-consuming appliances for smart and energy-efficient variations.
Some general eco-friendly household practices have made their way into people’s lives already. This includes recycling, upcycling rubbish, making wiser food choices, and buying locally. But there are a few other changes one can make to one’s household to reduce one’s environmental impact.
While some of these changes are implemented in the initial design of a house, some key sustainable architectural upgrades can also be made to established homes. One can use cellulose insulation to reduce heat and energy loss when designing one’s house. Double studding walls also go a long way in providing insulation. Other simple changes include switching out fossil fuel-consuming appliances like gas stoves with induction ovens. This severely reduces energy wastage and a household’s overall carbon footprint.
According to the United States Energy Information Administration, while homes in the US use a variety of appliances daily, the most significant energy guzzlers constitute air conditioning and heating appliances. These account for over half of a home’s yearly energy consumption. But these are seasonally-used appliances, and their usage may vary by location and household size, structure, and design.
On the other hand, heating, refrigeration, and lighting devices are used in every home year-round. These accounted for 27% of annual energy usage in 2015, with the remaining percentage being taken up by cooking appliances, computers, other entertainment devices, etc.
All these lead to one conclusion — there is an ever-increasing need for sustainable changes in households. So, what improvements and upgrades can you make to your home to not only improve your carbon footprint but also severely reduce your energy bills while not giving up on comfort?
Using double-glazed windows
Installing double-glazed windows improves the overall insulation of your house. They keep your house warmer during the cold winter months and cool during summer, thus, reducing energy consumption and wastage.
Installing a smart meter
A smart meter comes with several perks. Not only does it help reduce your carbon footprint, but it also keeps your energy bills from drilling a hole into your pocket.
The idea behind a smart meter is simple. It ensures that your heating and cooling devices do not run when they do not need to. This would come especially handy during the hot summer months as you can make sure the appliances come on and start cooling the house down. So, you never have to come back to a swelteringly hot house. During the winter months, you can set the meter so it keeps your home warm and shuts off after.
Using energy-efficient appliances
Smart devices like energy-efficient lighting and appliances that shut off automatically after each use can also come in handy when trying to reduce your energy consumption. Energy-efficient lights are also more durable and don’t have to be nearly as often as regular bulbs, making them excellent long-term investments.
Installing solar panels
Solar panels are another excellent long-term investment if you are trying to make your home more sustainable. While they cost a chunk of money to install, they make up for it in the long run and can keep your house well-lit and heated/cool while consuming little to no energy. They have no negative impact on the environment. They can go so far as to help you completely off-grid, taking the headache of high energy bills entirely out of the picture.
Using recycled furniture
Upcycled pieces of furniture are all the rage right now. Not only do they add to the aesthetic of a modern home, but they also reduce the number of furniture that ends up in landfills. The best part? They are also relatively easy on the pocket. If you DIY your own furniture — as so many social media influencers are doing currently — the entire process will cost a negligible percentage of what it would cost to buy a new dresser or coffee table.
