| Your home's carbon footprint is as unique as you | | | | necessary to do major upgrades. You can do |
| are. You can begin lessening your home's carbon | | | | simple things such as closing your windows |
| footprint by carrying out an energy audit. Through | | | | properly and ensure that the attic is well-insulated. |
| this, you will be able to examine other important | | | | This can save you dollars on energy bill. Keep |
| factors such as the age of your home and its | | | | your cooling and heating units well maintained and |
| construction. You can check on the infrastructure | | | | if possible, use reusable filters instead. Switch |
| such as plumbing, wiring, heating and a complete | | | | incandescent light bulbs to compact ones. |
| appraisal of the appliances you are using and how | | | | 5. In landscaping, use native species of plants |
| you use them. | | | | around your home. Use organic soil when planting. |
| Once you have done this appraisal, you should be | | | | Organic soil is made with more eco-friendly |
| able to distinguish areas to reduce your carbon | | | | methods and uses fewer resources. Plant |
| footprint. Following are several tips to minimize the | | | | something; it can contribute to nature |
| carbon footprint of your home. | | | | preservation. |
| 1. Buy local and organic food. When the food is | | | | 6. If you have to shop, try window-shopping first. |
| grown locally, there is a bigger chance that it is | | | | This will allow you to note on items you really |
| grown in a green way. Try eating at restaurants | | | | need and refrain from buying on impulse and |
| that serve locally made foods. | | | | ending up purchasing things that you do not |
| 2. Be vigilant on the packaging. Try to find a store | | | | necessarily need. |
| or shop that keeps packaging at a minimum. Buy | | | | 7. Turn your water heater into vacation mode |
| loos tomatoes instead of those wrapped in plastic. | | | | when you are not around for several days. This |
| Use a reusable bag when grocery shopping. A | | | | will keep the water warm, but will not be able to |
| reusable tote bag is better than using plastics. | | | | use so much energy in keeping a tank full of hot |
| 3. Refrain from using bottled waters. These have | | | | water. This does not only reduce carbon footprint |
| a great carbon footprint since it is bottled in a | | | | but also save you several hundred dollars. |
| certain place and shipped all over. You can opt to | | | | 8. Unplug all unused appliances. Many electronics |
| purchase a reusable water bottle or canteen. | | | | have standby modes that tap energy even when |
| Many restaurants are now using in-house filtration | | | | unused. TVs, stereos, laptops and cell phone |
| instead of bottled waters. | | | | chargers are just some of the many things that |
| 4. Make your home energy-efficient. It is not | | | | should be unplugged. |