Your home’s carbon footprint represents the total amount of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that are or have been released due to household activities. Reducing the footprint reduces your environmental impact — and often it leads to cost savings too. There are a range of swaps and changes you can make, from daily habits to long-term investments. Here are some suggestions to consider across different household areas.
Re-Evaluate Your Home’s Energy and Water Use
Before you begin, check your current estimated carbon footprint so you have a benchmark. To make sustainable changes, your home’s energy use is the obvious starting point.
1. Upgrade Your Insulation
Poor insulation leads to extensive energy waste in both heating and cooling. With an estimated 90% of homes in the U.S. having insufficient insulation, this is a major priority. Assess your situation and consider whether yours is inadequate, especially in your attic or basement. Air leaks are another related problem, so seal doors and windows with weatherstripping. In an older house with a lot of leaks, thermal curtains can be a good idea.
2. Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances and Lighting
Swapping older appliances for new Energy Star-rated models is a strong investment. From heat pumps to water heaters, cookers, washers and refrigerators, the combined savings can make a very big difference to the planet and to your bills. For some appliances, rebates or federal tax credits can help with the initial outlay.
Beyond replacing these goods, you can also change how you use them. Simple habits like washing clothes in cold water, always running the dishwasher with a full load and air-drying clothes when possible can significantly reduce your energy consumption without any upfront cost or new equipment.
Another quick and simple switch is to change your light bulbs to LED. These use just a quarter of the energy of an incandescent light and will last up to 25 times longer.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats save energy — and money — by optimizing heating and cooling schedules according to daily routines. This helps prevent waste without sacrificing comfort. You can set controls to depend on the weather conditions, too, and sensors will tell whether someone is present in a room or not. If you choose one that has earned an Energy Star rating, you could save an estimated 8% on your annual heating bill.
4. Switch to a Green Energy Provider or Install Solar
While reducing consumption is key, you can also change the source of your energy. Many utility companies now offer the option to switch to a green energy plan, which sources electricity from wind, solar or hydropower. This is often a simple swap that just takes a phone call or can be done online.
For a larger investment, installing solar panels on your roof enables you to generate your own clean electricity. This drastically reduces your reliance on fossil fuels and lowers your footprint. While there is an upfront cost, it cuts your electricity bills over the long term. Studies show the cost savings can be especially impactful in lower-income households, which spend proportionately more on energy.
5. Conserve Water
Water doesn’t magically appear in your faucets — energy is used to treat it, pump it to your home, heat it and then remove the waste. It is an increasingly scarce resource, yet an average household can lose up to 180 gallons per week through leaks. Fix running toilets and leaky faucets and consider upgrading to low-flow or WaterSense-certified fixtures.
Adopt Eco-Conscious Interior Design and Renovations
Many carbon footprint calculators overlook the importance of embodied carbon — gas that has already been emitted during your home’s construction or through the production and supply of its materials, finishes and furnishings. By making sustainable choices, you can prevent this from accumulating further.
6. Choose Sustainable Flooring
Flooring is a major component of your home, so choosing the right material is a key sustainable swap. With consumers increasingly seeking eco-conscious options, materials like cork and bamboo are becoming popular. You can also opt for recycled laminate, vinyl or carpet.
These materials are environmentally responsible for several reasons. Cork, for example, is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is not cut down in the process and regrows its bark. Bamboo is a rapidly growing grass that regenerates quickly, making it a highly renewable resource. Meanwhile, carpet made from recycled fibers diverts plastic waste from landfills.
7. Opt for Low-VOC Paints and Finishes
Many conventional paints release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air as they dry, which is what gives paint its smell. These compounds turn into ozone-causing smog and contribute to health irritations. Low- or no-VOC paints are a better option environmentally, although they may still contain toxins.
8. Furnish With Secondhand or Sustainably Sourced Pieces
Whenever you buy something new, it has an associated carbon cost for its manufacture and transportation. To reduce your household’s carbon footprint, choose brands that use recycled or certified sustainable materials. Alternatively, shop at thrift stores, flea markets or antique stores for secondhand items. This will save you money and can also add some unique style and flair to your rooms.
Rethink Your Kitchen and Waste Habits
Your cooking and eating style can have a large impact on your home’s energy consumption.
9. Start a Compost System
Across the U.S., up to 40% of all food produced ends up in a landfill. There it decays, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas. However, through composting, you can turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil that sequesters carbon instead. Starting backyard composting isn’t as hard as you think — simply designate a place for the pile, in a garden bed or a bin. You can buy worms to assist the process, which need minimal care to flourish.
Alternatively, some local farms operate a program where you can drop off your food waste, as do some community gardens. A few municipalities even run curbside collection programs, so check out what is available near you.
10. Reduce Single-Use Plastics
You are probably doing this already, but double down and focus on the kitchen. You can swap to reusable grocery bags, storage containers and water bottles with minimal expense or fuss. Try beeswax wraps and wood or bamboo utensils. Cooking from scratch whenever possible is another good way to cut your carbon footprint as it reduces reliance on pre-packaged items with plastic bags and trays.
11. Prioritize Plant-Based Meals
Industrial meat production is associated with a very high carbon footprint. In some parts of the U.S., halving meat consumption could save as much CO2 as installing solar panels, while saving money too. Start by swapping for plant-based meals a few times a week and see how you feel about expanding once you are used to the routine.
Manage Your Outdoor Space Sustainably
Sustainability doesn’t end inside the house. By making wise choices outdoors, you can keep on lowering your carbon footprint while making your space more wildlife-friendly and climate resilient.
12. Install a Rainwater Harvesting System
By harvesting the maximum amount of rainwater, you reduce your use of municipally treated water. The average household’s irrigation requirements are up to 100 gallons a day — much of that can come from a downpour, depending on your local climate. The simplest option is to use a barrel placed under a gutter downspout, then attach a hose or simply use a watering can.
If you want to make a bigger change, consider building a rain garden. This involves creating a lower level in your landscaping that collects water runoff. You can plant this lower area with pollinator-attracting flowers, which will add beauty to your yard, too.
13. Use Native Plants and Trees
All plants sequester carbon to a greater or lesser degree, but perennials with deep roots or plants with woody stems do it best. Extensive root systems can deposit carbon deeper into the soil, where it is more stable. Woody shrubs and trees store large amounts in their wood. Choosing native plants is a major bonus because these flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees will thrive in your area with minimal watering, fertilizer or extra care.
Because they are native, they fit perfectly into the local ecosystem. By providing food and habitats for wildlife, you will also be supporting biodiversity.
14. Eliminate Chemical Pesticides and Fertilizers
Creating a sustainable yard also means working with nature, not against it. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides have energy-intensive manufacturing processes, so by not buying them, you are not contributing to that. Avoiding chemicals leaching into your soil also means you will have a healthier soil ecosystem, increasing your yard’s capacity to store carbon beneath your feet.
Making a Lasting Impact, One Sustainable Swap at a Time
Lowering your home’s carbon footprint is an impactful journey that begins with intentional choices. From major upgrades like energy-efficient appliances and environmentally friendly flooring to daily habits like composting and conserving water, every action contributes. These swaps support a healthier planet and also lead to lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment. You don’t have to do everything at once, but implementing a few changes a year will see you well on your way toward a more sustainable and responsible home.