Sustainable Living – 3 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home

3 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home

Reducing our residential carbon footprints is something that everyone should be committed to. With the global climate crisis becoming an increasingly urgent issue, it’s imperative for everyone to play their small part in improving the future outlook for our planet – and that should always start at home.

Since this is where we spend most of our lives, it’s natural that homes account for the largest proportion of individual carbon footprints.

Fortunately, people are already responding positively to the call for us all to lead more sustainable lives. In fact, data shows that residential energy-related CO2 emissions in Ireland have been reduced by 45% since 2001. While this is a promising start, there’s plenty more to be done in the battle against climate change. Fortunately, it’s often the smallest changes that can have the biggest impact, meaning it’s possible for any home to have a more positive impact on the environment.

Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home #1

Look at Your Lighting

Lighting has the potential to be one of the biggest eco offenders within our homes. The good news is that you don’t have to change your entire system to reduce the emissions in this area – it’s often enough to simply replace and update your bulbs.

Modern LED bulbs are inherently the more eco-friendly option compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. This is because they use between 80-90% less energy, which equates to a 65 kg saving in CO2 emissions every year. What’s more, LED bulbs are designed to last longer, meaning they need replacing less often and will contribute less waste to your home’s total.

Further Reading: Let the Light In: 20 Ways to Get More Natural Lighting into Your Home

Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home #2

Utilise Underfloor Heating

Adding extra elements that use energy within your home may sound counterintuitive when you’re looking to reduce your emissions. But when it comes to your heating system, upgrading your existing appliances can help to optimise the efficiency of your home, and ultimately reduce emissions in the long-term.

Underfloor heating can offer enhanced efficiency of up to 25% compared to radiators. Better still, if you use an underfloor heating system in conjunction with an eco-friendly heat pump, savings could rise further to 40%. The energy savings that come with this style of heating system are due to the fact that they rely on lower flow temperatures, but cover a more vast area to ensure enough heat is supplied to the home.

Further Reading: A Guide to the Different Types of Green Energy

Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home #3

Install Proper Insulation

Sticking to the theme of heating, insulation is key to improving your home’s energy efficiency and ultimately reducing its carbon footprint. Quite simply, when a building is properly insulated, it’ll be better equipped to keep more heat trapped inside during the colder months, whilst also improving temperature regulation in the summertime.

When less heat is escaping your home, in theory this should allow you to use less energy on heating it in the first place. Not to mention, while there is an upfront cost involved with buying the materials and getting the insulation professionally installed, it has the added long-term bonus of helping to save you money on your utility bills.

Further Reading: Sustainable Saving with Energy-Efficient Windows & Doors

Every Little Change Helps

Any positive step you take to reduce your home’s carbon footprint doesn’t have to change the world to be impactful – it just has to change your little part of it. Taking steps like the ones we’ve highlighted above to improve your home’s efficiency will help you leave a positive impact on the environment.

Further Reading: Living an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle in 6 Simple Steps

Photos by Brian Zajac

PIN: 4 Ways to Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home

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