Addressing climate change can seem overwhelming, but it’s easier when you start small. In a previous blog post, we talked about actions that are free to do that can reduce your energy use and thereby lower your greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Now let’s talk about actions that have a low upfront cost.
Water Usage
• Replace your shower head and go low-flow.
• Replace your faucet aerators.
Using proper aerators and low-flow showerheads reduces that amount of water that you need to use to get clean. This means less energy is necessary to heat the water and less emissions due to wastewater treatment. Plus, you save money on your water bill when you use less.
Lighting
LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy that incandescent bulbs use while emitting the same amount of light. They also last much longer. To get the most energy savings from your lights, ensure that you are only using lights when they are necessary, so remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room.
Temperature
One simple way to reduce draftiness in your home is to make use of caulking, weatherstripping or window films on and around windows and doors. This will help maintain the temperature of the house and avoid lost energy.
Compost
Composting is a great way to deal with a large amount of household waste. The only cost here is to get the bin started which can be super simple to very elaborate, but they all do the same job. You can then use the compost to add nutrients to soil in your potted plants or garden! Here is more information on how to start composting.
If you are interested in taking more climate action, be sure to check out our Actions page.