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The energy we use at home accounts for about a fifth of U.S. global warming pollution. That means making smart choices at home matters.

Heating and cooling

This is a top home energy user, with the average household producing about four tons of heat-trapping pollution a year. It is heavily influenced by weather. For example, a relatively cold 1996 led to an increase in heat-trapping emissions compared to the previous year. But the next year, a warmer winter helped emissions dip bit. Warmer summers increase greenhouse gas pollution, too, from heavy air conditioning use. Despite the relative warm or coolness of the season, the U.S. emits a harmful amount of global warming pollution.

Even as the weather varies, your choices can help spew less global warming pollution.

• In summer, keep shades drawn to keep the cool in.
• In winter, open shades to let the sunlight to help warm rooms.
• In winter, keep your thermostat cooler at night or when the house is empty.
• Install a programmable thermostat to heat and cool rooms only when necessary.
• Plant trees around your house to cut cooling costs in summer.
• Insulate your walls and ceilings.
• Install a light-colored or reflective roof.

Consumer Reports also offers more detailed ratings and green buying guides for air conditioners, including central cooling systems.

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters can save homeowners as much as $500 a year on energy costs. The initial cost, including installation, is usually higher than for conventional water heaters, but after the payback period of 2-5 years, homeowners can realize substantial savings (even more than $500 a year if energy prices continue to increase).

The economics are even more convincing if you're buying a new home or refinancing.  You can include the price of a solar water heater in your mortgage. For a 30-year mortgage, the amount is usually between $13 and $20 per month.

The federal income tax deduction for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system shaves off about $3–$5 per month. So if your fuel savings top $15 a month, investing in a solar water heater pays off immediately on a monthly basis.

Learn more at the California Energy Commission and the U.S. Dept. of Energy.

Appliances

After heating, refrigerators and freezers are generally the home's next two big energy eaters. Other appliances follow closely. Together, these items account for nearly eight tons of heat-trapping emissions per household per year.

• Upgrade to Energy Star products. Not all appliances are equal. Whether you're in the market for a new fridge, toaster or air conditioner, look for Energy Star choices, which offer the best energy savings.

• Size counts. When in the market for an appliance, make sure you buy what suits your needs. Items too large or too small waste electricity and your money.

• Unplug. Your electric meter is often adding up kilowatt hours when you don’t think you’re using an appliance. Unplug toasters and cell phone and other chargers when they’re not in use. Don't use air fresheners that have to be plugged in.

• Use power strips. Cable boxes and video game boxes, and to a lesser extent TVs and VCRs, use almost as much energy when they're off as when they're on. Make it easy to turn them all the way off—plug them into a power strip and turn off the whole strip. 

Consumer Reports also offers more detailed ratings and green buying guides for appliances, from vacuum cleaners to laundry machines.

Lighting

Lighting accounts for about 21 percent of commercial energy consumption and about 12 percent of home energy consumption. In terms of heat-trapping pollution, that means the lights in the average household produce just over a ton of carbon dioxide each year. Here are a few steps to lower those numbers.

• Use energy-efficient lights. Changing just one 75-watt bulb to a compact fluorescent light cuts roughly 1,300 pounds of global warming pollution. They also last up to 15 times as long and save you money. (Learn how to pick the best bulbs.)

• Turn off lights. A good chunk of lighting expenses is from rooms that stay unnecessarily lit.

• Use natural light. Open shades and use sunlight to help light rooms.

• Install motion-sensors so that lights automatically turn on when someone is in the room and turn off when empty.

Green Energy

Does your electric company sell energy from renewable sources, like wind and solar? More than forty states in the U.S. now offer cleaner energy. Find out more about home energy choices.

Other energy efficient choices for your home

• Use the energy saver cycle on your dishwasher and only run it when full.
• Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot.
• Turn down your water heater to 120°Fahrenheit.
• Clean or replace the air filter on your air conditioner.
• Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water.
• Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows.
• Ask your utility company for a free home energy audit.

Choose food thoughtfully

Raising meat contributes more global warming emissions than raising crops. Cutting back on meat even once a week can make a difference. Get the details.

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