Reducing Your Home’s Carbon Footprint Is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Just How Detrimental Is Your Carbon Footprint? Find Out Exactly How Powerful Your Carbon Footprint Is & Why You Should Be Reducing It. Here Are A Few Tips To Get Started…

13 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Household’s Carbon Footprint

Just How Detrimental Is Your Carbon Footprint? Find Out Exactly How Powerful Your Carbon Footprint Is & Why You Should Be Reducing It. Here Are A Few Tips To Get Started…
This article contains tops tips from our experts, backed by in-depth research.
Last Updated: 18 Apr 2025
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Reduce Your Households Carbon Footprint

You may have heard the term carbon footprint doing the rounds as of late, but what does it mean and why should you care?

How about starting with the fact that the average carbon footprint is 4 tons!1

As experts in our field, we discuss the following in this article:

    ByPurify has compiled a quick guide on everything you need to know about reducing your household’s carbon footprint, so keep reading…

    What Exactly Is Your Carbon Footprint & Why Does It Matter?

    Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that my actions produce.

    The average human carbon footprint in the United States is 16 tons, one of the highest in the world2.

    But what about the rest of the world?

    Overall, the average carbon footprint is close to 4 tons. 

    To have the best chance of avoiding a 2°C rise in global temperatures, the average annual global carbon footprint must fall below 2 tons by 2050. 

    Reducing a person's carbon footprint from 16 tons to 2 tons doesn't happen overnight! 

    By making small changes in my behavior, I can begin to make big changes.

    How to Determine Your Carbon Footprint

    You can determine the impact of your behavior on greenhouse gases (i.e. your carbon footprint), by using a carbon footprint calculator. 

    Your household's carbon footprint is the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by your home and all the people living in it. 

    Carbon footprint calculators often consider the greenhouse gas emissions they produce at home and when traveling. 

    Check out the carbon footprint calculators listed below:

    Zerofootprint Youth Carbon Calculator 

    The Zerofootprint Youth Carbon Calculator is a user-friendly calculator that walks you through calculating your family's carbon footprint3.

    You don't need a username or email address, but you do need your school name and date of birth to use the tool.

    CoolClimate Calculator

    The CoolClimate Calculator is a comprehensive calculator that adds up your carbon emissions from your home, travel, food, and shopping4

    It allows you to compare your footprint with others' and helps you identify changes you can make to reduce your impact on climate change.

    EPA Home Carbon Calculator 

    The EPA Home Carbon Calculator helps you calculate your home energy bill before you start for a complete calculation of your home's carbon footprint5

    This calculation includes building, vehicle, and recycling energy, but doesn’t include other forms of emissions. 

    It includes useful information on how much carbon dioxide you can save by making small changes around your home to reduce your impact on climate change. 

    What’s The Average Household Carbon Footprint?

    You may be surprised to learn that, regardless of their income, the average US citizen can't seem to reach below certain CO2 emission standards. 

    Why? 

    The United States is so big that the average American's daily commute, business travel, and daily necessities generate indirect CO2 emissions, whether it's using buses, airplanes, or ships.

    A 2007 study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology measured the average CO2 emissions of Americans6.

    It found that the annual average of carbon dioxide per year per American is 20 metric tons, compared to the average of 4 tons worldwide. 

    The global average is less than half of the lowest carbon footprint of the entire United States, at 8.5 tons.

    Why You Need To Reduce Your Household’s Carbon Footprint

    The reasons you need to reduce your household's carbon footprint include that it's one of the best ways to help fight global climate change.

    Once I do this, I can begin to reap the benefits of better public health, a more stable economy, and support for biodiversity. 

    Here are a few reasons why you need to reduce your carbon footprint:

    Reduces the Impact of Global Climate Change

    Carbon emissions have devastating effects on the environment. 

    Reducing your carbon footprint can reduce these effects, because the less greenhouse gases (GHG) I emit, the less I contribute to global climate change. 

    The more I reduce GHG emissions, the more I reduce the rate of temperature increase, sea level rise, ice melting, and ocean acidification. 

    Improves Public Health

    Air quality degradation due to carbon emissions is a major problem. 

    In 2009, the US government said that CO2, CH4, N2O, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) are pollutants that threaten public health and the well-being of both current and future generations. 

    Boosts the Global Economy

    Although I can’t put an exact price on the economic value of carbon emissions, the number should be very high. 

    A study published in the journal Nature found that every billion tons of CO2 causes a loss of gross domestic product (GDP) of almost half a percent. 

    If I follow all available climate change mitigation measures, the global economic cost will be $240-420 billion per year by 2030.

    Saves a Variety of Plants & Animals

    Climate change is one of the most serious long-term threats to the world's flora and fauna. 

    It disrupts the ecological balance between plant and animal species by increasing competition and forcing migration. 

    Although these numbers have begun to adjust for past changes, they keep up with the current rate of climate change. 

    13 Ways To Reduce Your Household’s Carbon Footprint

    When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, there are a few things you can do to make a difference.

    Here are 13 easy ways to help you get started:

    Travel Habits That Affect Your Carbon Footprint

    There are a few ways your travel habits can reduce your carbon footprint. 

    Here are some examples:

    Drive less: When it comes to reducing carbon emissions, driving less is a pretty obvious way to reduce them. No running engine, no emissions…

    Rethink your car: A fuel guzzler is a pain for so many reasons, the worst being the emissions that come from running the car. Rather look at something more fuel efficient.

    Fly less: Think of your car’s carbon emissions, but on a large scale. That’s what you’re looking at when it comes to air travel. So, whenever possible, try to avoid it.

    Eating Habits That Affect Your Carbon Footprint

    Did you know that your eating habits also contribute to your carbon footprint? 

    Here are a few things you can do to reduce your impact:

    Eat less meat: From the environmental impact of cultivating and maintaining livestock to the process involved with butchering and processing meat, it all adds up.

    Weigh your options: Less is more, and you may find that certain produce may offer more nutrients per serving in smaller portions.

    Waste less: Ditch the packaging wherever possible and try to compost any biodegradable waste.

    Habits That Can Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Your Home

    Another simple way to reduce your home’s carbon footprint is by changing your habits.

    Have a look at these: 

    Rethink heat, lights, and appliances usage: Some appliances are more draining than others, so before flipping that switch, think about whether it’s really necessary.

    Recycle household items: Instead of throwing things away to end up in a landfill, why not look into ways of repurposing or recycling items once you’re done using them?

    Make your home energy efficient: Small things like switching your light bulbs to collecting rain water and everything in between - there are so many ways to make your home more energy efficient.

    Shopping Habits That Affect Your Carbon Footprint

    The products I buy also play a role in my carbon footprint.

    Here are 2 simple ways to change things:

    Dress sustainably: Choose to wear clothing made from durable, breathable, and practical fabrics. Try to avoid synthetics, leather or any other products that aren’t only costly to produce, but are also not recyclable.

    Shop sustainably: Choose to support brands that follow eco-friendly business practices wherever possible.

    Additional Ways To Reduce Your Household’s Carbon Footprint

    In case you still weren’t sure about how to approach things, here are 2 simple tips:

    Cut carbon emissions: Find ways to reduce your carbon emissions, starting with your choice of transport and all the way through to the way you power your home.

    Take charge of climate change: Join initiatives that promote greener living and find ways to implement eco-friendly practices into your home.

    Common Questions

    What Regulations Cater to Carbon Emissions?

    What’ll Happen if My Carbon Footprint Isn’t Reduced?

    What’s the Difference Between Carbon Emissions & Carbon Footprint?

    Can My Carbon Footprint Make a Difference?

    What Inventions Can Reduce My Carbon Footprint?

    In Conclusion

    By reducing your carbon footprint, you can help reduce the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

    In my fight against climate change, every small change can have big consequences.

    It's not just about the environment. 

    Reducing your carbon footprint can help you live healthier and save money. 

    Whether it's cleaner air, better food, or lower energy bills, these benefits of reducing your carbon footprint also mean you're doing your part in fighting climate change.

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