Learn and Act
Household Carbon Footprint Calculators and Apps
What is a Carbon Footprint?
Carbon footprints are a way to represent the greenhouse gas emissions produced by a person, group, or activity.
The average American emits around 14,000 to 16,000 kg CO₂equivalents – or 14 to 16 tons CO₂ equivalents – each year. That’s enough to fill the inside of more than 120 standard shipping containers.1
On the Road
Drive less by combining errands into one trip; carpool, bike, or walk.
Properly inflate your tires and keep your engine properly tuned.
Perform regular maintenance on your vehicles.
Purchase an electric vehicle or a more fuel efficient vehicle.
At Home
Switch to electric appliances, heating, and water heaters.
Turning down your heating thermostat.
Turning up the thermostat for air conditioners.
Enable sleep feature on your computer and monitor.
Wash clothes in cold water instead of hot. Use a clothes line or drying rack for your laundry, instead of your dryer.
Use LED lightbulbs.
Replace your old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR model.
Replace an old boiler or furnace with a heat pump.
Replace single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR windows.
Have an energy audit to see if you can save energy, particularly by insulating your basement and attic.
Think About Your Consumption
Consume less: share, borrow, reuse, repurpose, repair.
Recycle 100 percent of all recyclable materials.
Compost food scraps year round.
Waste less food.
Remember your reusable grocery, shopping, and produce bags when you do errands.