How Do I Lower the CO2 Levels in My Home?

People often use high volumes of energy in their home without thinking of the implications for the environment. If you're looking for ways to lower the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in your home by hundreds and thousands of pounds a year, consider a few strategies when cooling, heating, lighting and powering your living space.

Insulating and Windows

• Seal your home's ducts and insulate any portions passing through unconditioned areas, such as the attic, basement, or garage. Caulk and weather-strip to save even more CO2 emissions. Consult a home energy auditor if you need assistance identifying areas that need more insulation.

  Do not leave windows open for long periods; keep as much heat in your home, so it does not cost as much to warm your house during cold months. Consider replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed. While double-glazing costs more upfront, you will lose less energy through windows in the long run.

Heating and Cooling

• The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that half of a household's annual utility bills pay for cooling and heating, which means the potential for high CO2 levels in your home.

  To reduce CO2 levels stemming from cooling and heating, lower your thermostat a few degrees in the winter and raise it a few degrees in the summer. Or, use an automatic thermostat that lowers heat or air conditioning at night and raises them in the morning.

  Cover a water heater that's 10 years old or more with an insulated blanket; newer models with sufficient insulation should not need a blanket. Set the thermostat between low and medium, or at around 120 degrees.

  Clean or replace your air filters to reduce CO2 levels further, and consider replacing your conventional hot water heater or air conditioning system with more energy-efficient newer models.

Energy-Efficient Products

• Other household appliances use more energy than others. Consider using a front-loaded washing machine, or a top-loader model that's more energy-efficient than a traditional top-loader.

  Use your washer when you have enough laundry to fill the machine, or use economy settings when you do not have a full load. Wash clothes in warm or cold water rather than hot, and, if possible, hang your clothes out to dry during warmer months.

  Defrost old refrigerators and freezers regularly. If your refrigerator and freezer are more than 10 years old, consider getting newer, more energy-efficient models that have automatic defrost cycles. If your refrigerator and freezer are next to a boiler or cooker, move them so that they stand on their own, using less energy.

  Your lighting choices can reduce CO2 levels. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), which last longer than regular bulbs and use significantly less energy. CFLs contain mercury, so when the bulb runs its course, dispose of it carefully.

  For more information regarding energy-efficient products, visit www.energystar.gov.

Conserve Energy and Water

• If you have an older-model computer and have finished using it for the day, shut it down. Newer-model computers do not use much energy in sleep or standby mode, so you do not have to shut down your computer if you're taking a short break. Turn off your television when you're not watching it, and unplug chargers if you're not using them.

  Conserve water to help lower CO2 levels in your home. When brushing your teeth, shaving or washing dishes, do not leave the water running. If you have a leaky faucet or toilet, fix it. Rather than taking a bath, take a shower and use low-flow shower heads