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So you want to reduce your personal carbon footprint! This wiki page is a living document of ideas for how to do so!

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Home

Appliances

Change the air filter in your heater

Only use your dishwasher when you have full loads

Replace your old appliances

Unplug electronics

Use cold water in the washing machine

Use a clothesline instead of a dryer

Clean your refrigerator's coils and defrost it

Heating and Cooling

Lower the temperature on your thermostat (Winter)

Raise the temperature on your thermostat (Summer)

Insulation

Caulk and weatherstrip your home

Lighting

Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescents or LEDs

Water

Install a low-flow showerhead

Replace your water heater

• Water heaters supposedly last 10-15 years, but the U.S. Department of Energy recommends you replace yours sooner. Newer units with the "Energy Guide" label  are more efficient.
  

Revamp your water heater

There are a variety of things you can do to make sure your water heater is in good shape and efficient. These include:

• Drain a quart / liter of water from your water heater every 3 months to remove sediment that makes your water heater less efficient. (see your manual)
  
• Add heat traps to your water heater
• Insulate the first few meters / 6 feet of the pipes leading into and out of your water heater

Turn down the temperature of your water heater 

• Turn down the water heater to 120 degrees F / 50 degrees C. This could save you 3-5% of in energy costs.

Landscaping

Plant a tree (or shrubs)

• In addition to absorbing carbon, trees can shade your home, reducing your cooling costs in the summer months. Typically, newly planted trees will begin shading windows in their first year and will reach your roof in years 5-10. During winter, dense, low-lying trees and shrubbery on the north and northeast sides of your home can help protect your home against wind chill.
• Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your house creates dead air spaces that insulate your home in both winter and summer. Plant so there will be at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall.

Compost

Home Improvements

Add solar panels, or make other home improvements. Check out this site to see if there are any federal or state incentives that will help you pay for them.

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Car

Inflate your tires

Buy a more fuel efficient car

Carpool

Use public transit

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Air Travel

Videoconference instead

Fly economy

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Personal

Buy products locally

Eat less meat

Go paperless with your bills

Reduce your junk mail

Use reusable shopping bags

Take shorter showers

Take cooler showers

• Taking cooler showers reduces your energy consumption (3 - 5% according to the U.S. Department of Energy) and is better for your skin too!

Recycle

Avoid using styrofoam products

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Sources

• http://www.energy.gov/energysavingtips.htm
  

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