Monday, January 21, 2008

How to reduce your carbon usage?

It's the most ardent problem most environmentalists have to deal with, it's the thing on everyone's lips over the past years, but even if they all talk about it, no one really does anything concluding to assist the world's movement against global heating. The thing is that people are reluctant to any ideas that imply reducing their carbon emissions because they believe it would somehow take from them all the comforts modern life accustomed us with. And those who did research and understood they don't have to give up any commodities, are convinced they can't help because it would be too expensive. The truth is that reducing carbon usage is anything but expensive, and it can actually save you money in the long-term. To set things straight, and to convince all the hesitant readers once and for all, here are a few easy and accessible ways to reduce carbon usage for you own home. 1. Insolate your house. With a small investment you can properly isolate walls and windows from the winter cold. Cover up all leaks, look for each small hole that communicates with the outside, buy some double curtains for you windows, and install thermal isolations onto the walls. You will spend little money and you will succeed in making you home more comfortable while reducing carbon usage by more than 12%. 2. Reduce your electricity consumption. There is no need to keep lights on over night; your garden doesn't need illuminated alleys while you sleep. When you leave home, be sure to turn off all electronic appliances. Also, don't think that if you switch the lights on and off frequently they will wear out faster. Be sure to turn off the lights each time you leave a room. Buy some fluorescent light bulbs. Change that old refrigerator, coffee maker, computer and all other old electronics. They consume way too much electricity. By doing this, you will reduce your electricity bills by more than 40%. 3. Use hot water wisely. If just once a week you give up a hot bath and take a shower, and if you wash your clothes in cold water (40o C) you can help the environment by reducing the carbon emissions by a considerable 5% given the small effort. 4. How many cars do you own? Your family can live very well with just one car. Sell the oldest one because it's the one that pollutes the environment the most. Or better yet, sell both cars and add a few thousand $ to buy an environmental friendly hybrid car, they have become extremely popular and are quite competent and fuel wise. 5. Replace the furnace. That old furnace needs to go, it's inefficient and it's already showing aging signs. Replace it with a 90%+ efficient furnace and the most efficient water heater you can afford. This might be quite an investment but it will count for more that 50% of you quest for 0% carbon emissions. Also, heat bills will reduce in half and in maximum two years you will get your invested money back. Of course, there are numerous other things you can do. You can, if you have a backyard, try to grow some vegetables on your own; you could walk more and use your car less; plant a tree once in a while; stop drinking fizzy drinks and carbonated water; find a company that provides a renewable electric source like solar energy and so on. If you take only one of the steps shown above, you will see how much better your life is and I'm sure you'll be inclined to continue.



About the Author
Become Netural is a Carbon Credit Retailer who not only cares for the environment, is doing something about it. {a href=" http://www.becomeneutral.com.au"}Buy Carbon Credits today ! BN08

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