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You might have noticed a big push this past April to focus on your carbon footprint. Each year during Earth Month, there is a big push to encourage people to adopt more sustainable practices. The truth is, being more mindful about our consumption habits and carbon footprint is important all year round! Not only is reducing, reusing, and recycling important for the planet, but it can save you money as well.
Here are five easy ways to be more sustainable every day, and save some money along the way.
Switch to reusables
You may already be doing this, but switching to reusable containers, like water bottles and coffee cups, is one of the easiest ways to reduce your plastic consumption. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it can be more cost effective as well! Some stores, like Starbucks, offer a discount when you bring in your own coffee mug.
Line dry clothing
Hanging up your freshly washed clothes to dry outside may seem like a lost art, but it has a lot of benefits. Not only can line-drying reduce the wear and tear your clothes go through, meaning they will last longer and prevent more textiles ending up in landfills, but it can also reduce your household’s carbon footprint because you won’t be running your dryer as often. This in turn will save you money on your electric bill, allowing you to save more money each month.
Compost food scraps
When food decomposes it releases methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas. When you compost food scraps, like banana peels and egg shells, you are able to greatly reduce the amount of methane being released by your garbage. If you have a garden or any plants, composting also provides you with free fertilizer! But you don’t need to have an outdoor space to reap the benefits of composting, many NYC neighborhoods are now setting up compost bins for all residents to use.
Grow your own food
What’s better than eating fruits and veggies fresh off the vine? When you grow your own food, you are able to greatly reduce the carbon emissions caused by shipping produce, even if your typical grocery store purchases are from local farms. We’ve all witnessed the rising prices at the store, and growing your own food allows you to avoid inflation-caused prices. Plus, if you compost, you can use your new fertilizer in your garden. Now THAT’S recycling!
Go solar
Adding a solar system to your home is the number one way to greatly reduce your carbon footprint and boost your savings. After your home solar installation is complete, your home will be powered by the sun, reducing your home’s carbon emissions. You will also be able to participate in a program called net metering, where the excess energy your system creates is sent back to the grid and you receive a credit on your electric bill. Because of this program, many homeowners are able to reduce their bill to only $20 a month, the required grid connection fee.
Another way to minimize your carbon footprint is to switch to an electric vehicle. If you already have solar panels and install a home EV charger, you can power your new car by energy your system is already producing. This enables some EV and solar owners to save over $1,000 each year on fueling their car as compared to a traditional gas vehicle.
There are even greater savings when you pair your home solar system with a backup battery, like a Tesla Powerwall, or an electric heat pump. Now is the best time to invest in home electrification technologies like solar due to the number of rebates available. By combining incentives, solar system owners can reduce the price of their system by up to 50%.
Interested in discovering your potential savings with solar? Book a free solar consultation today and find out how you can reduce your electricity bill each month.
Get an estimate for solar and claim your energy independence.
Get an estimate for solar and claim your energy independence.
About the Author
EmPower Solar develops, engineers, installs, and services solar and battery systems for residential and commercial clients. Since 2003, EmPower Solar has empowered thousands of New York homeowners and businesses with 47 megawatts of distributed solar. Its vision is to create a new energy paradigm powered by clean, renewable energy for a more prosperous, healthy, and civil world. The company culture is defined by the EmPowering Way, which results in consistent 5-star customer service reviews. For more information visit empower-solar.com.