Discover the meaning of carbon footprint, as well as how to calculate and reduce your own footprint.
What is a carbon footprint?
Your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, or more specifically carbon dioxide, that is being produced by you and your household. The amount of electricity, natural gas, fuel, etc. that you consume all contributes to your carbon footprint.
In supporting a cleaner environment, it’s important to Legend Power to assist in the reduction of GHG and carbon dioxide. As such, we believe that determining your carbon footprint and learning ways in which you can reduce that footprint is a great step towards saving energy and the planet as a whole. Below is one way to determine your personal and household carbon footprint.
Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
Calculating your carbon footprint is actually quite easy. Before you begin, you will need some information on your household energy consumption and transportation habits in order to receive an accurate calculation of your carbon footprint. Follow the steps below to begin.
- Gather information regarding your household, such as the type of heating you use in your home (i.e. electrical, natural gas, etc.), the number of kilometers you put on your car per week and how often you use air travel.
- Visit a website, such as www.whatsmycarbonfootprint.com, and take advantage of their free online carbon footprint calculator. Here you will need the information mentioned above regarding your home energy use and transportation habits. Once you have put in all of the information, the calculator will provide you with your carbon footprint.
- Assess your results and pinpoint the largest contributors to your carbon footprint, whether that be your electrical consumption, or the amount of fuel you use by driving or flying.
- Determine ways in which you can reduce your carbon footprint. For example, if you drive your car quite frequently, plan to ride your bike to work more often, or use public transportation or walk when possible.
While we believe that reducing your individual carbon footprint is a great place to start, we know that there are many buildings could also use assistance in reducing their carbon footprint and overall GHG emissions. Contact us for more information on how our products can help you and your building lower its greenhouse gas emissions and save energy.
(Image via Pixabay)