April offers the perfect chance to step up your eco-friendly efforts with Earth Day, but protecting our planet is an everyday commitment.

Many people spend their time on Earth Day picking up trash, planting flowers, or looking for other ways to make a difference in the environment. Others, though, are looking for a more permanent way to reduce their carbon footprint.

Energy consumption is a big topic of discussion regarding living a greener lifestyle. Drawing from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), here’s a breakdown of how energy is utilized in American households.

Total Energy Consumption

In 2020, the average U.S. household consumed approximately 76.8 million British thermal units (MMBtu) of site energy.

Energy Use by End-Use Category

• Space Heating: This remains the largest energy expense for most homes. On average, households used about 29.3 MMBtu for space heating, accounting for 38 percent of total household energy consumption.

• Water Heating: Following space heating, water heating is a significant energy user. Households consumed approximately 13.1 MMBtu for this purpose, representing 17 percent of their total energy use.

• Air Conditioning: Cooling needs varied by region, but on average, homes used about 8.1 MMBtu for air conditioning, making up 10 percent of their energy consumption.

• Appliances, Lighting, and Electronics: This category encompasses a wide range of devices, from refrigerators to computers. Collectively, these accounted for approximately 26.3 MMBtu or 34 percent of the total household energy consumption.

Regional Variations

• Midwest: Homes in this region, especially older ones, consumed more natural gas than those in other areas. This is largely due to colder climates necessitating increased heating.
  
  
• South and West: Households in warmer states typically used less site energy compared to those in colder states, primarily because of reduced heating demands.

These insights from the 2020 RECS highlight the diverse energy consumption patterns across the country and underscore the importance of energy efficiency measures tailored to specific household needs.

Now, let’s dive into some Earth Day tips to make your lifestyle more energy-efficient.

Earth Day Advice for a Greener Lifestyle

To support your journey toward sustainability, we’ve gathered practical Earth Day tips and advice to help reduce your carbon footprint, improve your home’s efficiency, and even lower your energy bills year-round.

Shop Local, Buy Fresh

Did you know that typical produce travels more than 1,500 miles before it reaches your table?

Buying local, seasonal fruits and vegetables significantly cuts transportation pollution, reduces fuel consumption, supports your local farmers, and often provides fresher and more nutritious options.

Eliminate Energy Vampires

Many household appliances silently drain electricity, even when turned off, costing Americans around $1 billion annually.

Unplug devices like TVs, coffee makers, chargers, and computers when they’re not in use, or use power strips to easily turn off multiple devices at once.

Opt for Energy Star Appliances

Choosing Energy Star-rated appliances significantly reduces greenhouse gases because they meet strict energy-efficiency standards set by the EPA.

Not only is this great Earth Day advice, but it also noticeably trims your monthly energy bills.

Program Your Thermostat

A programmable thermostat efficiently manages your home’s heating and cooling, automatically adjusting temperatures during the hours you’re asleep or away.

This simple device can cut your energy consumption significantly while maintaining comfort.

Switch to Efficient Lighting

Swap incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs, which last significantly longer and use up to 75 percent less energy.

Replacing just one bulb saves around 500 pounds of CO2 annually, helping to combat climate change.

Keep Pollutants Outside

Leaving shoes at the door prevents harmful pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, oils, and allergens from contaminating your home’s air.

This small habit promotes better indoor air quality and reduces the need for excessive cleaning.

Fix Those Leaks

Dripping faucets and leaking toilets waste more than 10,000 gallons of water per household annually.

Repairing these leaks promptly conserves water, reduces water bills, and preserves this essential natural resource.

Embrace the Three Rs

Follow the mantra: reduce consumption by being mindful of purchases, reuse items whenever possible, and recycle materials that cannot be reused.

Each step minimizes waste and contributes significantly to sustainability.

Invest in Renewable Energy

Solar, wind, or hydroelectric power reduces dependency on fossil fuels, significantly decreasing emissions.

While initially an investment, renewable energy sources can drastically cut long-term electricity costs and protect the environment.

Choose Green Transportation

Carpooling, using public transit, or biking instead of driving alone significantly reduces carbon emissions.

It also saves money, decreases traffic congestion, and provides health benefits through increased physical activity.

Slow Down on the Road

Avoid speeding and rapid acceleration, which lower fuel efficiency by up to 33 percent.

Maintaining a steady, moderate speed saves fuel, reduces wear on your vehicle, and lowers your overall carbon footprint.

Unplug Workshop Tools

Cordless tools continually consume electricity, even when idle.

Unplugging these tools when not in use conserves energy, reduces your electric bill, and extends the life of tool batteries.

Select Low-VOC Products

Use paints, finishes, and cleaning products with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

This minimizes indoor air pollution, reducing health risks such as headaches, allergies, and respiratory issues.

Reduce Water Use

Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads, and aerators and choosing native plants for landscaping significantly saves water usage.

Also, washing laundry with cold water saves energy and helps reduce monthly bills.

Meatless Days Matter

Reducing meat consumption even once a week significantly lowers your carbon and water footprints.

Meat production is resource-intensive, so cutting back helps conserve water, fossil fuels, and land.

Go Cloth, Not Paper

Transform old clothing into cleaning rags instead of purchasing paper towels.

This reuse of materials reduces waste, saves money, and is equally effective for household cleaning tasks.

Borrow and Shop Secondhand

Borrow items you rarely use or shop secondhand to extend product lifecycles, save money, and reduce waste.

Libraries, thrift stores, and online marketplaces are excellent resources for affordable and eco-friendly alternatives.

Opt-Out of Paper Mailers

Reduce paper waste by opting out of catalogs and selecting electronic statements for utilities, banking, and billing.

Digital management cuts waste, saves trees, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from paper production and transport.

Choose Reusable Bags

Avoid disposable plastic and paper grocery bags that clog landfills and harm wildlife.

Instead, use durable canvas bags that are reusable, washable, and environmentally friendly.

Save and Reuse Paint Thinner

After cleaning the brushes, allow the used paint thinner to settle and carefully reuse the clear liquid for future projects.

This reduces hazardous waste disposal and saves money.

Combine and Use Old Paint

Mix leftover paints of the same type (latex with latex, oil with oil) to repaint garages, workshops, or other spaces.

This practical solution prevents waste and helps utilize leftover resources.

Compost Food Waste

Composting food scraps reduces landfill waste and methane emissions.

It also enriches garden soil naturally without chemical fertilizers.

Try Worm Composting

No backyard?

Worm bins are efficient for indoor composting, turning kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost quickly and cleanly, reducing household waste.

Harvest Rainwater

Collect rainwater in barrels for gardening and landscaping.

This reduces dependence on treated water, saves money, and conserves an important natural resource.

Seal Gaps and Drafts

Weatherstripping around windows and doors prevents waste and improves indoor comfort.

This can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.

Insulate Your Home with Foam Insulation

Foam insulation enhances home efficiency by preventing air leaks, reducing energy costs, and creating a more comfortable living environment.

RetroFoam insulation is safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.

Start Making a Difference Today

These practical Earth Day tips offer simple yet impactful ways to contribute to a healthier planet every day.

Want to learn even more ways to enhance your home’s energy efficiency? Visit our Learning Center for helpful resources and guides.

Ready to take action? Connect with your local RetroFoam dealer on our Find a Dealer page and discover how foam insulation can improve your home’s efficiency and sustainability.

Key Points:

• Shop Local: Buy local produce to cut emissions from transportation.

• Save Energy: Unplug unused electronics and choose Energy Star appliances.

• Efficient Temperature Control: Use programmable thermostats and seal drafts around doors and windows.

• Lighting: Switch to energy-efficient bulbs like CFLs or LEDs.

• Water Conservation: Fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and harvest rainwater.

• Waste Reduction: Practice reduce, reuse, recycle; compost food scraps.

• Transportation Choices: Carpool, bike, or use public transportation; avoid speeding.

• Reduce Indoor Pollution: Leave shoes at the door and select low-VOC products.

• Reuse and Repurpose: Use cloth cleaning rags instead of paper towels, and shop secondhand.

• Go Digital: Opt for online billing and avoid unnecessary paper usage.

• Smart Yard Care: Plant native vegetation and compost naturally.

• Home Insulation: Invest in foam insulation to improve energy efficiency and home comfort.

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