by Duane Craig

Created on: September 08, 2007

Here's how to go green on the cheap and cut your carbon footprint at the same time. What's a "carbon footprint" you ask?

Look at it this way. Everything requires energy. Today, most of the energy we use comes from the process of burning fuels. When things burn they give off carbon dioxide, and other gasses, many of which are the substances that create global warming. Those gasses are called greenhouse gasses. The total amount (pounds) of these gasses that are sent into the atmosphere because of the energy you use is called your carbon footprint.

According to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit organization with the mission to foster efficient and restorative uses of resources, the typical single family home contributes a little more than 26,000 pounds of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. Lighting in the home accounts for more than 2,000 pounds by itself. So one free thing you can do to go green, save money and reduce your carbon footprint is to start turning off lights when they are not in use.

Other free things you can do to reduce your footprint include hanging the clothes outside to dry on nice days, set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees and turn off other electronics when they're not being used. You would have to cut your annual automobile mileage by 3600 in order to come up with the same amount of footprint redcution these simple steps provide.

A low-cost way to squeeze even more energy and dollar savings from your home is to replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. If you replace the six standard light bulbs that you use the most with compact fluorescents you can reduce emissions by 566 pounds a year and save $32. Replace that standard bulb in the outside light you leave on all night with a compact fluorescent and cut emissions by 210 pounds saving $12 every year.

If you have a few more dollars to spend focusing on hot water offers big rewards. To start with cut the use of hot water by installing low-flow shower heads. Go further by insulating any hot water pipes you have easy access to with inexpensive and easy-to-install pipe wrap. If your electric water heater is four to six years old drain it and replace the heating element. Older heaters can also benefit from adding a code-approved insulation blanket over the tank.

It's your world, and your money, now it's your choice.

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