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How to Reduce Carbon Emissions With Home Heating

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If you have cold winters where you live, then you’re probably guilty of running your heating system more than you should. Heat might be the key to keeping us warm all winter, but it’s not quite as comfortable for the environment. Heating systems burn lots of fossil fuels and release carbon emissions just to keep you content. But maybe there’s a more environmentally-friendly way to go about this.

You don’t have to give up heat to save the planet, but there are certainly ways to reduce carbon emissions with home heating. As it turns out, nearly 70% of residential energy comes from fossil fuels. So, it’s time to make a change for the sake of our planet.

Reducing Carbon Emissions

The easiest way to be more conscientious about carbon emissions is to find ways to use less heat and contain heat inside your home better. Luckily, there are a few ways to do this.

You can reduce carbon emissions with home heating by:

  • Sealing any air leaks or gaps in your home to prevent heat from escaping
  • Updating insulation in walls, basement, and attic to be more effective
  • Improving the insulation on your windows.

In addition to those fixes, you can also change some aspects of your routine too. For example, you can try setting your thermostat lower, especially when you’re sleeping or out of the house. It’s estimated that turning your heat down when you don’t need it could save three to six percent of your energy use.

Some systems might also allow you to only heat certain areas of your home. That way, you don’t have to waste heat on areas you rarely use, such as the basement.

Also, if you’re planning to move to a new location soon, consider getting a smaller home. Smaller houses with updated systems will often waste less heat, ultimately reducing carbon emissions.

Reuse Wasted Heat

In addition to reducing carbon emissions with home heating, you can also reuse some of your wasted heat. If you’re interested in doing so, you can get a heat recovery ventilator. But only get one if your home is already effectively air sealed and insulated.

Heat recovery ventilators can ventilate your home while transferring heat from the air leaving your house to the air coming in. It’s an ideal addition to any eco-friendly home.

Drain water recovery units are another option to look into if you want to reuse some heat. When you take a shower, you barely use that heat at all, and then it just goes down the drain. However, you can use a device to recover some of the heat and reuse it in your home. You’ll no longer have to feel guilty about taking boiling hot showers.

Of course, adding these systems to your home can be pricey, but they will reuse so much heat in the long run, ultimately reducing carbon emissions. So, if you’re able to give one a try, it can certainly help.

Replace Your Heating System

Finally, upgrading to a more eco-friendly heating system can help you reduce carbon emissions with home heating. Older, less efficient units are more likely to have negative effects on the environment. So, if it’s time for an upgrade, why not look at the most environmentally-friendly options?

Many households are aware that heat pumps are often the best options when it comes to saving money and helping the planet. Yet, there are some models that are even safer than others. Geothermal heat pumps are considered one of the most eco-friendly because they’re kept underground. They take heat from the earth rather than the outside air.

Below the earth’s surface, the temperature is warmer and more consistent. So, it will take less energy to heat your home. Geothermal heating costs more upfront than a traditional heat pump, but it will save you money in the long run due to how efficient it is.

Another eco-friendly heating option is solar heating. This is considered the greenest heating option, but it might not always work the best. If the solar panels can’t get enough energy from the sun, a backup heating system will kick in. So, it’s not the most reliable option, but it can still benefit the environment greatly.

Are you looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions with home heating? Luckily, there are plenty of ways for you to reduce, reuse, and update when it comes to your heating system. Westisle Heating & Cooling is here to help with all your HVAC needs. Contact us today to see how you can help make this world a safer place!