The Millstone Times July 2019

REAL ESTATE

How to Reduce Your Home's Carbon Footprint By Lauren Kowlacki Methods of reducing one's carbon footprint include drawing less on nonrenewable energy sources and reducing waste. To reduce your home's carbon footprint, you should review your everyday activities, then cut back on practices that have a net effect of increasing green- house gas emissions. Some ways that you may work to reduce your personal carbon foot- print by driving less and recycling, but it is also important to consider the footprint of your home. Here are some tips to make your home and your wallet a little greener. Buy efficient appliances. Appliances are getting more efficient every year, and some have better energy and water-use ratings than others. The energy rating of an appliance is easy to find and can be a great guide for those looking to reduce their electricity and water consumption. Install low-use fixtures. Shower heads, toilets, faucets and oth- er fixtures now come in models that use less water than others. These fixtures can lower a home's utility bill as well as reduce the amount of water a home uses. Plant a garden. Plants remove carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. Keeping a garden can help counteract your carbon output, provide a fun hobby and supply you with homegrown vegetables or beautiful flowers. Install a drip irrigation system so that plants get only the wa- ter they need. Landscape using climate-appropriate plants. Local plants are better adapted to the environment, are non-invasive to other spe- cies and require less water than outsiders.

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The Millstone Times

July 2019