Rising emissions is a significant threat to our environment. Did you know that what you do each day can have an impact on the climate and global warming? You may be doing things that are harmful or boosting your emissions output without even realizing it. On an individual level, there are a lot of things that you can personally do to reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of it has to do with what you do at home. Your lifestyle, consumption habits, energy use, and more can all affect your carbon footprint.
There is a lot of concern about global warming and how it impacts our environment. It is estimated that without immediate action, our global temperature will increase by 2 C or more. In order to limit a temperature increase to 1.5 C, we as a society need to reduce greenhouse gas emission 7.6% each year from 2020 to 2030.
So, why is EcoTech Windows and Doors writing about the impact of your carbon footprint on the environment? Your windows, doors, and many other areas of your home impact carbon emissions.
There are many things you can do to make a difference.
Your household carbon footprint can have a big impact on your home energy efficiency. Do you know how much your emissions are affecting the environment and climate change? Most people do not. Reducing your CO2 emissions is a responsible way to take ownership of consumption habits.
Every little bit helps to reduce your carbon footprint. The Homeowners Ultimate Guide To Reduce Your Household’s Carbon Footprint was designed for homeowners who want to become more aware and make changes in order to lessen their impact on the environment. It is for people who want to run a more energy efficient household.
In this guide you will learn:
You hear the phrase carbon footprint a lot these days. Many people have an idea what it means but there is still some ambiguity about its meaning and impact.
The Earth Institute at Columbia University defines carbon footprint in the following way:
“Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases—including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases and others—that you produce as you live your life.”
As a globe, we are producing harmful greenhouse gasses that are increasing the global climate and contributing to global warming.
Renee Cho from Columbia explains:
“The Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project determined that in order to hold the global temperature rise to 2˚C or less, everyone on earth will need to average an annual carbon footprint of 1.87 tons by 2050. Currently, the average U.S. per capita carbon footprint is 18.3 tons. By comparison, China’s per capita carbon emissions are 8.2 tons. We all have a ways to go to get to 1.87 tons.”
Canada is not performing much better than the US. According to Our World In Data, Canada averaged 15.6 tonnes, which is about three times higher than the global average. Overall, the country has 1.66% of the world’s emissions.
Understanding the factors that can affect how much emissions you are producing is a first step to reducing your overall impact. Here are the top factors used to calculate your carbon footprint:
There are many things in your life that make a difference, even smaller daily decisions. It is often the combination of little bad habits that add up. Find out an estimate of your carbon footprint by trying an online carbon calculator.
Now you know what a carbon footprint is and some of the daily factors that affect how much is produced. Next, we’ll look at some Canadian household carbon emissions data.
The Government of Canada provides some key insights into greenhouse gas emissions in the country. Here we will outline emissions from a national and provincial level. Then we will compare how Canada compares to other countries.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been on the rise in Canada. Since 1990 emissions have been steadily rising. They have increased by 20.9%. In 2018, the country’s total GHG was 729 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
This is up from 600 megatons in 1990. The country peaked at 742 in 2007 and dropped down to as low as 680 in 2009. Numbers have been on the rise since. These numbers indicate that we have some work to do as a country.
Emissions vary greatly based on the province. The top 5 emitters collectively are responsible for 91% of Canada’s top emissions. These provinces are Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Ontario and Quebec have been able to reduce their level of emissions between 1990 and 2018, while the other top emitters saw an increase. Overall, Alberta and Ontario make up 60% of the country’s emissions.
Here a list of top emitters:
The Publications Office of the European Union report titled Fossil CO2 Emissions of All World Countries, provides some insights into who produces the most emissions.
It’s no surprise that top industrial and oil producing nations make up a good portion of the top emission producers list. Here are the countries that produce the most emissions (2017):
Even though Canada has not seen increases compared to other top nations, emissions are still on the rise. Here are the top producing countries with the biggest increase in emissions from 1990 to 2017:
Here are the top producing countries with the biggest decrease in emissions from 1990 to 2017:
Here are the countries that produce the most emissions per capita:
There is a lot of work we can do as Canadians to reduce our carbon footprint. Next, we will discuss where carbon emissions come from.
There are a variety of factors that contribute to Canada’s emissions output. In general, more developed and stable countries produce more emissions.
Hannah Ritchie from Our World In Data explains:
“Since there is such a strong relationship between income and per capita CO2 emissions, we’d expect this to be the case: that countries with high standards of living would have a high carbon footprint. But what becomes clear is that there can be large differences in per capita emissions, even between countries with similar standards of living. Many countries across Europe, for example, have much lower emissions than the US, Canada or Australia.”
“Prosperity is a primary driver of CO2 emissions, but clearly policy and technological choices make a difference.,” she adds.
Overall, here is a list of the top factors that lead to carbon emissions output:
“87 percent of all human-produced carbon dioxide emissions come from the burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil. The remainder results from the clearing of forests and other land use changes (9%), as well as some industrial processes such as cement manufacturing (4%).”
Now that we have a more detailed understanding of how much emissions Canada produces and how we compare globally, we will now start to look at what you can do. Let’s take a look at some Canadian home emissions statistics.
Statistics Canada provides some very telling statistics about how our consumption habits affect carbon emissions:
The way we consume impacts our emissions output. Next, we will provide you with some of the advantages of taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint.
Reducing your carbon footprint is not just a good thing to do, it will benefit you personally in a number of ways, including the following:
So, where does most of the energy get used in your home? We’ll look at this next.
Do you know how most of your electricity is used in your home? Many homeowners do not and this can lead to you using more energy than you realize.
A study by the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) identified the top ways households use energy. Here is what they found:
Other uses include small electric devices, heating elements, exterior lights, outdoor grills, pool and spa heaters, backup electricity generators and more.
Based on these numbers, more than 30% of your energy use has to do with controlling your indoor temperature. This can be directly affected by the quality of your windows and doors. Poorly insulated windows and doors can cause your home to require more energy to heat and cool it.
The next section will look at things you can do at home to reduce your carbon footprint.
Carbon emissions are a clear issue. Fortunately there are a lot of things you can do personally to reduce your household carbon footprint. Some are quite simple and others can take some time and resources to implement. But, if you and your family make incremental changes over time, you can significantly reduce your impact on the environment.
Here are some effective ways to improve your consumption habits:
Your windows can have a huge impact on your home efficiency. Older windows with broken seals, air leaks, cracks and inefficient components can cause your home to use a lot more energy than new energy efficient vinyl windows. If you notice any issues with your windows, it’s time to seriously consider an energy efficient option.
Much like the windows in your home, your doors are important as well. Lower quality or damaged front entry doors, patio doors and any other door at the exterior of your home could be a source of energy loss. Upgrading them can make a big difference.
Even though garage doors are on the exterior of your home, they can also impact your energy consumption. Older models or doors with gaps can make it easier for the exterior air to affect your indoor temperature. When upgrading your garage doors, choose an energy efficient option.
The location of your home is often overlooked when assessing your carbon footprint. Your home size is a common consideration. But, what about your proximity to work, stores, and your family and friends. Homes with better walk scores encourage people to use their vehicles less. The closer you are to work and other places you frequent, the less you will drive. You may even take your bike or walk.
Your energy bill will tell you how much energy you are using on a monthly basis. You will be able to see if you are using more or less over time. But what it does not tell you is how energy is consumed. An energy audit of your home can show you how to be more efficient. You can learn where you are wasting energy and identify opportunities to reduce your emissions levels. You will quickly know what projects you can do and plan for future home upgrades.
Overall, you can make informed decisions about the best renovations for your home while also making it more efficient.
People forget to turn the lights off all the time. But leaving them on all the time can add up. Turning the lights off each time you leave the room can help reduce your energy consumption. You can take it one step further by replacing your light bulbs with LED ones.
Using less electricity in general can reduce your carbon footprint. It will also save you money. You can greatly reduce how much energy you use by simply being cognisant of how you use electricity. Do you leave devices on when you are not using them? And you leave the TV or computer on when you leave the room? Do you have appliances or other things plugged in all the time when they do not need to be? Go around your home and look for ways you can reduce your electricity use and see how much it lowers you monthly usage rates. You may be surprised by the impact it has.
Your appliances use up a good portion of energy. They will use even more if they are not energy efficient. Make energy efficiency a priority when upgrading your refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, dryer, furnace, air conditioner, or any other appliance. Look for products with the ENERGY STAR label. Even if you have to pay a little more upfront, you will save in the long term in the form of a reduced energy bill.
Much like electricity, the amount of water you use in your home can have a big impact on your household environmental impact. When you lower your water usage, you not only save water, but also use less energy. It takes energy to move, pump, and heat water.
There are a lot of things you may do that use more water than you need to. For example, you leave the water running when doing the dishes, you leave the hose running in the yard or you take long showers each day. Even a small leak, leaky faucet, or toilet that runs constantly can all add up over time.
Here are some things you can do to reduce your water usage:
Adjusting your thermostats even a few degrees can make a big difference. Keep it a little higher in the summer and turn it down a little lower during the winter months. It’s also a good idea to adjust it when you are away from the house or while sleeping at night. This will help you use less heat in the winter and reduce your use of your air conditioner in the summer. Investing in a smart thermostat can help you easily and more efficiently control the temperature at home.
An increasing number of homeowners are investing in solar panels to help offset energy costs. While there is a little more of an upfront cost than other energy saving options, there is a potentially huge return. Depending on where you live and the size of your solar panel system, you could completely get rid of your energy bill. Some homeowners even make money by selling electricity back to the grid. Your home could be sufficient enough to live off the grid.
You have options for where you get your energy from. Choosing to support clean energy sources can help you reduce your impact on the environment. Some of these sources include solar, wind, and geothermal. They are all clean alternatives to fossil fuels.
A minimalistic lifestyle has a lot of advantages. When most people associate it with having less stuff, there is more to it. When you buy fewer things, reduce your amount of waste, use less electricity, and water, and donate unwanted items to charity, you are also reducing your environmental impact. You also have the benefit of reducing clutter, living a simpler lifestyle, and eliminating stress and improving wellness.
While it may not be one of the most exciting or flashy, insulation is a very important home investment. Ensuring your home is properly insulated can significantly reduce your energy bill. When was the last time you checked your insulation? Look in the attic, check out the basement and other areas of your home. If you are doing a renovation, make sure you add insulation on the exterior walls of your home. These are the types of steps that will pay off and reduce your carbon footprint.
Your vehicle is an extension of your household. How you use and care for your car impacts the environment. Keeping your vehicle in good condition ensures it will run as efficiently as possible. Take your car in for regular maintenance, ensure the tires are properly inflated, and address issues as soon as possible.
Walk, ride your bike to take public transportation when you can. Trying to minimize your vehicle use also matters. Try to drive less, use more efficient routes, and take advantage of energy saving features such as cruise control. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, compare hybrid and electric vehicle options to see if it is a viable option for you.
Purchasing carbon offsets can help you offset your impact on the environment. A carbon offset is a set amount of money you can put toward a project or fund that helps to reduce greenhouse gasses. Offsets help support sustainable development. They also increase renewable energy usage. If you calculate your total carbon footprint, you can figure out a dollar value for you to invest to offset your impact. You can put the money toward any type of carbon emissions. Whatever you can invest, every little bit counts.
There is no shortage of environmental charities that do great work to support environmental sustainability. Choose an organization that is close to your heart or choose a local organization.
Supporting locals can do a lot more than helping your local economy. It can have an environmental impact as well. Choosing to buy from local shops where things are made onsite and buy food from local vendors means that supplies and resources do not need to travel a long way before they get to you.
As we mentioned above, your windows and doors can play a big role in how much energy your home uses. Old, damaged, dated, or poorly designed and installed windows and doors put more pressure on your furnace and air conditioner to regulate your indoor air quality. This means more energy use and a bigger carbon footprint for your household.
Investing in high quality and energy efficient windows and doors can help to reduce your carbon footprint. Your home will be more efficient, you could lower your energy costs and improve your overall indoor air quality.
Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to your windows and doors environmental impact:
The ENERGY STAR seal of approval is a significant consideration when buying windows and doors. It’s just as important when purchasing appliances, a furnace or air conditioner as well. When you buy these products, you are investing in products that meet a certain standard for energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR program was designed to help reduce greenhouse emissions and other pollutants.
All EcoTech Windows and Doors meet the ENERGY STAR standards. They are designed with energy efficiency being a top priority.
No two windows are the same. There are many different components and the style you choose will have an impact on your windows overall energy efficiency. If you want to maximize your windows effectiveness, opt for insulated glass and frames.
At EcoTech, we use EcoSmart glass. This is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Our windows used foam filled frames, have 98% argon gas filled chambers, use a fusion welded frame, and use cardinal LoE glass. The result is energy efficiency, year-round comfort, highly effective insulation, and an R9 rating.
Doors often get overlooked when you think about energy efficiency. Just like windows, they can have an impact on how much energy is used in your home. Air can leak through door jams, broken weatherstripping, and around the door if they are not properly installed. The quality and material used for the door also play a role in its efficiency rating. If you are noticing air flowing through or around your doors, consider upgrading.
At EcoTech, we offer a large selection of top-quality front entry, patio and garage doors. We can help you improve your home’s efficiency by upgrading the doors in your home.
You can have the most efficient windows and doors, but if they are not installed properly, then they will not be as effective. Installation plays a big role in any windows and doors project. Attention to detail, using the most up to date techniques, and high-quality workmanship are essential.
At EcoTech, we take pride in ensuring your windows are installed to perfection the first time. Installation is a very important step in the window and door project timeline. Our expert installers can install new windows and doors using the technique that makes the most sense for your windows and doors.
Choose from:
Taking care of your windows and doors also plays an important role in ensuring they operate as efficiently as possible. When you care for them well, they will help reduce your energy consumption. It’s important to keep your windows clean from day one. Over time, it’s also important to take additional measures to ensure your windows are efficient. Air leaks can develop over time. If your windows are still under warranty, contact your windows company to assess your windows.
Air leaks can also be addressed by providing a little maintenance. Caulking your windows around the frames ensures there are no air leaks. Weather stripping can provide your windows with additional protection. Check your windows annually to see if they need to be caulked or have weather stripping replaced.
Every household plays a role in emitting greenhouse gas. It is important to understand the daily actions you take that contribute to your energy consumption. It is also very vital to take actions to reduce your consumption habits to lessen your carbon footprint.
We hope this guide to help you reduce your home’s carbon footprint has given you a detailed overview of ways you can reduce your overall impact on the environment.
Have questions about this guide? Want to upgrade your windows or doors to make them more energy efficient? Contact us with your questions or set up a free in-home consultation.
