$FWLRQDEOH (QYLURQPHQWDO ,PSDFWV DW +RPH

Swap common household devices to curb your carbon footprint

(Family Features) In every room of your home, you’ll likely find numerous devices, appliances and fixtures that rely on the electric grid for power. Collectively, they affect your carbon footprint more than you may realize. Converting to lower carbon alternatives can help you be a better steward for the environment while reducing your reliance on electricity.

“As a father, husband, home builder and real estate agent, I think it’s important to make smart choices for a cleaner today and greener tomorrow,” said Matt Blashaw, residential contractor, licensed real estate agent and host of HGTV’s “Build it Forward.” “We all want to be good stewards of the Earth. I want people to think beyond planting a tree or recycling. The time is right now

to choose a diverse, low-carbon energy mix to power our homes and businesses.”

Consider these environmentally friendly upgrades from Blashaw and the experts at the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) to help decarbonize Earth:

Smart Thermostats Programmable thermostats and smart plugs don’t conserve electricity on their own, but they help you become more aware of your energy consumption and adapt your usage to avoid waste. The introduction of programmable thermostats made it possible to adjust the temperature in your home when you’re not there or when you are sleeping.

Some smart thermostats take those adjustments even further by learning your household habits and adjusting the temperature to accommodate your usage patterns. You can also make adjustments remotely, and some models allow you to control specific zones or rooms independently so you’re only using the energy you really need. When combined with low-carbon, efficient HVAC

units, smart thermostats can help lessen the impact on the planet.

Motion Sensors

Like programmable thermostats and smart plugs, motion sensors help manage your energy usage. Motion sensors ensure you’re only drawing electricity to illuminate a space when it’s in use or when the light quality falls below a certain threshold. You may be in the habit of turning on a switch when you enter a room whether you need the extra light or not. Relying on a sensor reduces the waste associated with that routine and helps

Appliances

You may be surprised to learn the difference it can make to swap appliances for a different energy source. According to PERC, propane appliances are more efficient and produce fewer greenhouse gases

than electric appliances. For example, propanepowered clothes dryers generate up to 42% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric dryers. They also dry clothes faster than electric dryers, and the moist heat is gentler on fabrics and can even help relax wrinkles and static cling.

Similarly, propane-powered cooking ranges generate up to 15% fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to electric ranges while also allowing for greater control of heat levels. In addition, their

instant flame turnoff capabilities help them cool faster than electric stoves, which can remain dangerously hot after they have been turned off.

Energy-Efficient Windows

Nearly one-third of energy loss in your home can be attributed to windows, especially if they’re older or in poor condition. Even windows in good condition can be a source of energy loss if there’s only one pane of glass or you have air leaks around the frame. Upgrading to double- or triple-pane windows can be costly but making more cost-efficient improvements like caulking and weatherstripping can reduce window-related energy loss. You can also rely on window treatments such as drapes or blinds, awnings or plant vegetation that provide shade to help manage how your windows contribute to your energy needs.

Tankless Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters maintain a tank of heated water at all times. Heating and re-heating the same water over and over is inefficient and wasteful. Conversely, tankless water heaters warm water only when you need it, cutting your energy usage and saving you money. Because it heats water whenever you need it, you don’t have to worry about running out of hot water. In addition, your

water heater’s energy source can produce even greater savings. Switching from an electric storage water heater to a propane-fueled tankless water heater can prevent more than 1 ton of greenhouse gas emissions from entering the atmosphere each year, the same amount produced from driving a car more than 3,000 miles, according to PERC.

Ceiling Fans

You may think of ceiling fans as design elements and comfort features, but they also play a role in 6(( 3$*( ' !!

ensure lights are turned off when they may otherwise be forgotten in an empty room.