Let the carbon countdown begin!
So, where do we begin in this quest to reduce our annual carbon emissions?
If we could both afford to stay home and not drive to work 5 days a week, that would cut our annual emissions by at least 25% (assuming that we didn't stop driving altogether, just drove maybe half as much).
Well, that's not going to happen. We have bills to pay.
We are setting a budget of $10,000 to make changes to our home and/or lifestyle to reduce our carbon emissions by at least 15% (from 37,500 pounds/year to about 31,875). The $10,000 is the extra we would pay to buy a hybrid car if we were to get a new car this year. (Don't try to follow the logic - it is just a number that makes sense to me!)
We did a little research, and found that if we replaced the old upstairs windows with Energy Star windows, we could reduce our energy use by enough annually to cut our personal carbon contribution by about 5%. There are two other benefits to doing this: 1. we cut down our heating bill (natural gas), which saves us money, and 2. thorugh the end of 2007, there is a tax credit of $500 available. The windows will cost more than $500, but paying less in taxes is always good!
So, my task for today is to contact replacement window companies to get estimates on our new windows.
Since I brought up Energy Star, I thought I should spend at least a few lines plugging the Energy Star website. If you click on the highlighted link, a new window will open for a website that was set up by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Energy (DOE). The site includes lots of tips for homeowners and businesses, plus information on products that meet the Energy Star standards.
The Energy Star label is found on products ranging from refrigerators to windows to lightbulbs. The Energy Star label is used to help inform consumers about products that are energy efficient. And, I learned today, while browsing the website, that there is even an Energy Star seal for new homes that meet their energy efficiency standards.
A few of the tips noted on the site include: insulate & seal air leaks, replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat and many other things you can do to help heat and cool your home efficiently. There is also information on hundreds of consumer products that meet the Energy Star standards.
There is something that everyone can do regardless of their budget!
If we could both afford to stay home and not drive to work 5 days a week, that would cut our annual emissions by at least 25% (assuming that we didn't stop driving altogether, just drove maybe half as much).
Well, that's not going to happen. We have bills to pay.
We are setting a budget of $10,000 to make changes to our home and/or lifestyle to reduce our carbon emissions by at least 15% (from 37,500 pounds/year to about 31,875). The $10,000 is the extra we would pay to buy a hybrid car if we were to get a new car this year. (Don't try to follow the logic - it is just a number that makes sense to me!)
We did a little research, and found that if we replaced the old upstairs windows with Energy Star windows, we could reduce our energy use by enough annually to cut our personal carbon contribution by about 5%. There are two other benefits to doing this: 1. we cut down our heating bill (natural gas), which saves us money, and 2. thorugh the end of 2007, there is a tax credit of $500 available. The windows will cost more than $500, but paying less in taxes is always good!
So, my task for today is to contact replacement window companies to get estimates on our new windows.
Since I brought up Energy Star, I thought I should spend at least a few lines plugging the Energy Star website. If you click on the highlighted link, a new window will open for a website that was set up by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and US Department of Energy (DOE). The site includes lots of tips for homeowners and businesses, plus information on products that meet the Energy Star standards.The Energy Star label is found on products ranging from refrigerators to windows to lightbulbs. The Energy Star label is used to help inform consumers about products that are energy efficient. And, I learned today, while browsing the website, that there is even an Energy Star seal for new homes that meet their energy efficiency standards.
A few of the tips noted on the site include: insulate & seal air leaks, replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat and many other things you can do to help heat and cool your home efficiently. There is also information on hundreds of consumer products that meet the Energy Star standards.
There is something that everyone can do regardless of their budget!
Lisa/Tom~
I think what you're doing is awesome on a number of levels. First of all most of us get things done better/faster/more efficiently as a group; secondly you are a wonderful role model for your relatives and any other young (or old) person who's looking for guidance in this area; and thirdly there are few excuses for not, at the very least, plugging holes, changing light bulbs, turning off/down etc....time IS running out--that's just the first three!
So thank you for being among those who put their money where their mouth is. I believe this is one of the most important causes one can dedicate time to.
Betsy
The Energy Star site looks great-I have been investigating soler for a while-- I'll have to see what they have to say.
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