A typical U.S. household releases 48 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year! Residential properties are responsible for 17-21% of energy-related carbon emissions globally. The average Austinite creates 805 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. Find out your personal or household carbon emissions here. You’ll be surprised by what you find! Fortunately, you can learn how to make your home eco-friendly in Austin.

Global and local governments and organizations are making efforts to be carbon neutral. However, most households can’t buy carbon offsets, unlike municipalities and corporations to make their home carbon neutral. Yet, there are several efforts you can make to reduce your emissions significantly.

You don’t have to go and buy a tiny house or sell your house and rebuild an eco-friendly geodome to make a difference. You can make household changes that will reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to reducing carbon emissions locally and globally. Read below to learn how to make your home Eco-Friendly in Austin.

Energy Conservation

Conserving energy starts with your appliances and energy usage. Reduce your energy use through several new products designed to be energy-efficient.

Ensure that you have a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat will automatically adjust your heating and cooling to save you money and reduce energy use. Why have A/C or heat running if you’re not home? You can personalize or let the smart thermostat learn your habits. A smart thermostat is especially necessary in Austin, due to the high summer temperatures and unpredictable winters.

In addition to a smart thermostat, there are smart appliances and devices.

Major appliance brands such as Whirlpool, LG Electronics, Samsung, and GE produce smart appliances that can save you money and energy use. If you’re shopping for appliances, make sure to look for the Energy Star label or you can search their website.

There are other devices, such as smart plugs, that can automatically turn off and on, on a schedule.

An easier and less expensive way to conserve energy is to install LED or low-consumption light bulbs. LED light bulbs produce the most light with the least electricity. LED light bulbs last 5 times longer than halogen.

Do you have an older home or building a new one? If you need a water heater soon, know that there are several high-performance water heaters available now. Rheem offers several high-performance hybrid smart water heaters. Save up to $490 in annual energy costs with a hybrid electric heat pump. Monitor and control your water heater while away with built-in wifi. Get up to a 75% reduction in energy use and reduce your carbon footprint.

Conserve energy with very little cost by simply sealing gaps around your windows and doors. Older homes tend to have these more often. Put weatherstripping around doors and windows. You’ll save money on cooling during hot summer Austin days and heating in Austin winters!

Water Conservation

On average, 10% of homes have leaks that can lead to a waste of up to 90 gallons of water a day. Conserve water and ensure unused water is not wasted through leaks. Listen for any dripping noises around your home and pay close attention to your water bill. The first sign of a major or minor leak is a spike in your water bill. Worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves are the most common leaks.

Toilets account for almost 30 percent of a household’s indoor water usage! Luckily, modern toilets save gallons more than the old multiple-gallon flush toilets.  Now, all toilets on the market use no more than 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), thanks to EPA standards. However, products labeled WaterSense use no more than 1.28 GPF. So, if you’re building a home or need to replace a toilet, WaterSense toilets are a great option.

Outdoors

After you’ve lowered your carbon emissions from these indoor tips, it’s time to move to the outside. Did you know that “food transport constitutes 19 percent of food emissions, equivalent to 6% of emissions from all sources?”. Food travels an average of 1500+ miles before being consumed. Not to mention, the carbon emissions from packaging and processing. Reduce your grocery receipt and help the environment through your own veggie garden. It’s important to understand the fruits and vegetables that grow in Austin and by season. AgriLife Extension in Travis county has a guide here with everything you need to know to grow.

Once you have your garden set up, it will be easier and more beneficial to compost. Composting reduces waste and benefits your garden. Every day, 1.24 million pounds of food on average goes straight to the trash in Austin. When food ends up in the landfill it generates methane, the most potent of greenhouse gases. Restaurants and grocery stores are the leaders in waste. However, every household can make small changes for a big difference. Learn how to create a compost pile in your backyard here.

Make sure to use native plants when you’re landscaping your home. Adding native plants and trees means less water is needed for irrigation. Typically, less fertilizer and pesticides are required. All of this means less impact on the environment and less maintenance for you.

Eco-Friendly Roofing

Are you building a new home or is your roof near the end of its serviceable life? If so, consider eco-friendly roofing options.

The first type to consider would be solar roofing! Solar has come a long way from solar panels. Solar panels can be costly and cause damage to your roofing shingles. Fortunately, there are options for solar shingles. GAF Energy released the new Timberline Solar Shingle last year. Now, one Austin roofing company can install both solar and roofing shingles. Instead of having two companies come out to install your roof and then solar panels. It has the same hail, wind, and water-shedding capabilities as a traditional roof. It can even pay for itself over time. There are several benefits to going solar; reducing your monthly electric bill, money back through Solar Renewable Energy Credits, and improving home value. Most importantly, solar energy from any source is renewable energy and reduces carbon emissions.

If you’re not going solar, the most eco-friendly and weather-friendly roof option in Austin is standing-seam metal roofing. Vertical seam roofs are made from recyclable material, unlike asphalt shingles. So when it’s time for a roof replacement, your roof will not end up in a landfill. Metal roofs are energy efficient. In this Austin heat, it’s important to have a roof that will save on energy costs in the summer and keep your home cool. Metal roofs reflect the solar radiant heat. Your home will stay cooler for longer, allowing better energy savings. If you’re interested in a metal roof, learn more about our metal shop.

Tile or clay roofs are another great options if you want an eco-friendly and aesthetically unique roof. Clay roofs will reduce energy use by providing insulation against both heat and cold. They come in several colors and look great for a Spanish-style or Mediterranean home. If you have a tile roof or are interested in a tile roof, you can subscribe to our tile newsletter. Get monthly tips and information on tile roofing from tile experts.

All in the Details

Being eco-friendly is all in the details! You don’t have to plan an off-grid tiny home or join a commune to make a difference. Small changes made daily will create a larger impact in Austin and beyond. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for updates on more blog posts!

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