You’ve likely heard the phrases greenhouse effect, global warming and carbon footprint recently. No matter your beliefs, one thing is true: Using renewable energy can make a significant positive impact on the environment and our planet. Southern California enjoys on average about 280 sunny days per year. Therefore, it’s an ideal place to take advantage of solar energy. Read on to learn more about your household’s carbon footprint and how solar power can help reduce it.
What’s a Carbon Footprint, and Why Does It Matter?
First, a carbon footprint is a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). There is a wide range of activities that emit greenhouse gases, including transportation, food production and manufacturing. Your household’s carbon footprint is the sum of all the emission of CO2 induced by your family’s activities in a year. Solar energy provides you with a renewable source of power. As a result, it can help to reduce your electricity costs.
What Daily Activities Increase Your Carbon Footprint?
Here are activities that increase your household’s carbon footprint:
- Operating your HVAC system for long periods at extreme temperature settings.
- Drying your clothes in a dryer instead of hanging them in the sunshine.
- Leaving electronic devices plugged in and not using power strips.
- Taking hot showers for longer than required to wash your body.
- Not turning off the lights when leaving a room.
How Does Solar Energy Help to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?
Burning huge amounts of fossil fuels is bad for the environment, and California is among the top states in the nation in electricity generation from renewable resources. Generating electricity with solar energy rather than fossil fuels will reduce your household’s carbon footprint. It’ll lower your energy bills. It’ll also increase your home’s value and reduce your tax liability. As a result, it’ll help you save even more.
Do you want to learn more about solar energy? Contact Magnolia Heating and Cooling at (951) 688-3524 for additional information or to schedule an installation. Let us help you harness the power of the sun. As a result, you’ll help protect the planet for future generations.
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