How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

What is a carbon footprint?

Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere as a direct or indirect result of your activities. Primarily composed of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, greenhouse gas emissions stem from various sources, including transportation, excess energy use, and the consumption of goods and services. 

The excessive release of gas emissions traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to global warming and associated consequences like rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and poor air quality. Learning how to reduce your personal carbon footprint at home and beyond is therefore essential for those looking to play a more active role in creating a cleaner, greener society for future generations to enjoy. 

Ready to learn more about how to reduce carbon footprint patterns? We’ve compiled a list of simple lifestyle changes and habits you can adopt to make a positive environmental impact.

18 ways to reduce your carbon footprint at home

Here’s a comprehensive list of actionable steps and savvy energy tips to help you start reducing your carbon footprint.

1. Run an energy audit 

Whether you opt for a DIY or professional approach, home assessments pinpoint energy efficiency problems like drafty windows, outdated appliances, and inadequate insulation. From there, you can make improvements that reduce energy consumption by eliminating waste. 

2. Invest in high-efficiency appliances

Choose ENERGY STAR certified appliances when upgrading or replacing household devices. These appliances are specifically designed to use less energy, whether to heat water, operate refrigerators and freezers, or power other household electronics.

3. Use less water

Save energy by reducing the amount of water you use, especially hot water. Lowering the load on your water heater translates to reduced carbon emissions. Top tips include taking shorter showers and investing in a low-flow showerhead. But our guidance doesn’t stop there. Discover many more strategies in our water conservation guide.  

4. Master your thermostat settings

It’s relatively straightforward to optimize energy efficiency by adjusting your thermostat settings. It might not feel like a big difference, but an adjustment of just 2 degrees can reduce your carbon footprint by 2000 pounds a year. 

5. Insulate your home

One of the most effective ways to reduce carbon footprint excess is proper insulation, which prevents heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Research shows that insulating just 4 million homes (about 4% of all North American housing stock) could lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to planting 667 million acres of trees. 

6. Turn off your air conditioning when your windows are open

Natural ventilation is always preferable to using a cooling system that takes energy to operate. However, when you do switch on your AC units, be sure to check that windows and doors are closed to avoid wasting valuable home energy.

7. Switch out your lightbulbs

Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. These not only consume less electricity but also last significantly longer. For instance, while a regular incandescent bulb may last around 1000 hours, an LED bulb can last up to 25,000 hours.

8. Turn the lights off

Learning to turn your lights off when leaving a room is a great way to save energy by using only what you need. For added convenience, consider installing sensors, timers, and other automatic lighting controls.

9. Buy vintage or recycled clothing

The fast fashion industry is estimated to account for as much as 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. So, think carefully about whether you really need that brand new brand t-shirt. Instead, try to buy vintage or recycled clothing to stop the cycle of waste and pollution. 

10. Reuse, repair, and donate

Extend the lifespan of consumables like clothes, electronic items, furniture, and more, by reusing, repairing, or donating items to others once you no longer need them. By contributing to a circular economy, you can improve carbon footprint trends spanning a wider circle of households. 

11. Eat less meat

Plant-based foods require fewer resources. Therefore, cutting down on red meat or adopting a vegan diet can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research shows that if people followed the dietary guidelines already in place in many countries (the US included), we could reduce global emissions by 30%. 

12. Choose organic and local foods

Buying more food from local suppliers reduces emissions associated with long-distance transportation and promotes community resilience. Plus, local foods from nearby farms tend to be fresher and can taste better because they are sold soon after harvest. Organic foods are also less likely to contain certain pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

13. Start composting

Composting food waste lowers greenhouse gases by improving carbon sequestration and preventing methane emissions. Most food and yard waste can be composted, and it’s relatively easy to get started. Learn more in our composting guide for beginners. 

14. Use your car less

Consider cycling or using public transport where possible as group transport is more fuel efficient. Where public transportation isn’t feasible, try to avoid traffic and congestion wherever possible to eliminate unnecessary idling. Additionally, keeping your tires properly inflated increases efficiency.

15. Invest in an electric vehicle

When it’s time to upgrade your car, switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle will minimize environmental pollutants, particularly over longer distances. While it’s a big investment, federal tax credits and state and utility incentives can often offset initial costs.

16. Take fewer flights 

It’s not always possible to avoid flying altogether. However, the average flight’s carbon emissions reach up to 3.15 grams per gram of fuel, so minimizing air travel and reducing carbon footprints go hand in hand. If you must fly, consider traveling economy class to lower your carbon impact, and always evaluate the environmental cost before booking a round-trip flight. 

17. Eliminate single-use plastic

Cutting out single-use plastic is already a well-known strategy for how to reduce carbon footprint damage. But, with so much plastic out there, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Here are a few simple suggestions:

• Use reusable bags

• Carry a reusable water bottle or thermos

• Use stainless steel or glass straws 

• Switch to soap and shampoo bars instead of bottles

  
  

18. Choose renewable energy utility providers

Consciously choosing renewable energy is a powerful way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support climate action. Look for providers that prioritize clean energy sources and consider installing solar panels to improve fuel efficiency.