The following contribution is from another author.
The carbon footprint is a term that you have likely heard a lot over the past few years, and it’s not one that doesn’t have its fair share of problems. The truth is that the average homeowner can do a lot less to contribute to carbon overuse than the big energy companies. Indeed, the carbon footprint was created by said energy companies in an effort to shift the onus of being carbon neutral to the average person, rather than taking it themselves. That said, there are benefits to trying to go carbon neutral, and plenty of ways to help your home achieve it. Here, we’re going to look at some of them.
Consider renewable energy sources
When it comes to managing your energy consumption, then the first and most obvious piece of advice is to look at the potential for renewable energy sources, such as solar power, for your home. Of course, solar panel installations come with an initial investment, one that not everyone can afford. You should also do your research to ensure that your home gets enough sunlight to make good use of solar energy. Even if it’s not throughout the entire year, being able to generate most or even all of your home’s electricity renewable is the biggest impact you can make towards going carbon neutral.
Mind how you heat your home
Renewable energy can be great for helping you keep the lights on in your home but when that cold, bitter winter hits, it’s not always the greatest at keeping you cozy and warm. To that end, you might want to look at other options like stoves for sale, instead. Aside from being great for generating a lot of warmth in any given room, burning wood or pellets is also carbon-neutral, not to mention a lot more efficient, getting more heat for your money. Plus, the natural aesthetic appeal of a fire in a stove is pretty hard to beat.
Get to know where you’re wasting energy
It’s not just about where you get your energy from, of course, it’s also about how efficiently your home makes use of it. Rather than pinpointing individual areas in which you can cut your energy use, the best approach might be to arrange for an energy audit. Depending on where you live, you might find that your energy providers are even willing to offer this service for free. This involves going through the home and finding all of the areas where you might be wasting energy, offering actionable advice on how to handle it.
Insulation is vital
Of course, aside from appliances in your home, a lot of energy inefficiency comes from issues with heating. Even if you have a well-heated home with carbon-neutral heating methods, like stoves, you can waste a lot of energy, fuel, and money by not doing enough to keep the heat within the home. That’s where insulation comes in. Do what you can to better insulate the home, looking for air gaps in windows and doors that you can fill, as well as installing insulation in places where you might need it, be it the walls or attic.
Opt for a greener roof
As well as the energy usage within the house, you might want to consider the carbon that is used to construct the home, as well. You’re not likely to be building your home from scratch, but any renovations, including extensions, should be considered with carbon-neutral materials and methods in mind. The same goes for your roof, which is much more likely to need a replacement at some point. A lot of people are installing green or living roofs that can prevent the escape of heat in the winter.
The benefits of going carbon-neutral
Why is carbon neutrality such a big deal for so many people, in the first place? Well, for one, consuming less carbon does decrease your reliance on fossil fuels, and enough people doing that can decrease our need to keep sustaining our current fuel economy, moving towards a greener future. However, green homes also typically have a higher home valuation, with energy and heat efficiency being particularly prized by home buyers, in case you’re ever thinking of selling up. For those building expansions or renovations, newer carbon-neutral building materials also offer great durability in some cases, too.
Doing what you can to run a net-zero household is admirable, indeed. Just don’t stress yourself making it your life mission to try and reach true carbon neutrality. Even following just a few of the tips above can make a big difference.
