It’s Earth Month 2024. What’s Your Action Plan?
While dedicating just one month a year to the planet may seem fleeting, it can serve as a reminder of our responsibility year-round. It's a time to introspect and consider how we can lessen our impact, reduce emissions, and perhaps even ignite change within our communities.
So what are some of the ways we can reduce our carbon footprint?
What You Eat
Food, agriculture, and land use represent approximately ~24% of global greenhouse gas emissions.1 Livestock production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to methane emissions from cattle and deforestation for pasture and feed crops. Transitioning to a plant-based or majority plant-based diet can significantly reduce an individual's carbon footprint.
How You Get Around
Road transportation is estimated at 10% of global emissions.1 Switching from a gas-powered car to an electric vehicle (EV) can save approximately 4.6 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year.2 Carpooling instead of driving alone can further reduce emissions associated with transportation. Better yet, using public transportation or biking and walking can reduce emissions, and improve traffic conditions and your health.
What You Wear
The fashion industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, with the production, transportation, and disposal of clothing accounting for significant environmental impacts. According to the World Resources Institute, extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by around 20-30% each.3 Thrifting used clothing can be an effective way to extend the lifespan of clothing. Depending on how strategic you are, it can also be a great way to save money! Additionally, choosing clothing made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton or recycled fibers can further reduce emissions.
What About Where You Live?
By electrifying and decarbonizing our living spaces, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Here are some practical steps -
Assess Energy Usage: Evaluation of your home's energy consumption. This can be done through a professional energy audit or by using DIY tools such as energy monitors and thermal leak detectors. Identify areas where energy is being wasted, such as inefficient appliances, poor insulation, or drafty windows and doors.
Transition to Electric Appliances: Replace fossil fuel-based appliances with electric alternatives. This includes electric stoves, ovens, water heaters, and heating systems. Consider the lifespan and efficiency of appliances before making replacements. How do you know when to replace your appliances? Switching from oil, or a gas furnace can be costly. If you have a brand new mechanical system, it won’t make sense to replace it right away, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead and think about what the electrical alternative would be when the time comes. Get a heat pump sized and planned based on your requirement, and start looking into local and federal grants and loans and which manufacturers offer discounts.
Invest in Renewable Energy: Install solar panels on your roof to generate renewable electricity. Solar energy systems can offset a significant portion of your home's electricity needs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering your carbon footprint. Installing solar can be costly. Explore available incentives and financing options. Alternatively, consider adding solar bonds to your investment portfolio.
Improve Home Insulation: Proper insulation is essential for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and reducing energy consumption. Seal drafts around windows, doors, and other openings to prevent heat loss or gain. Add insulation to walls, floors, and attics to minimize thermal transfer. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors for further insulation benefits.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances: When replacing old appliances, choose models with high Energy Star ratings. Energy-efficient appliances consume less energy, resulting in lower utility bills and reduced carbon emissions. Look for refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and other appliances that prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability.
Optimize Heating and Cooling: Consider installing a heat pump for efficient heating and cooling. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from one area to another, providing both heating and cooling functions. Installing a heat pump not only provides efficient heating and cooling but also eliminates the need for a stand-alone air conditioning unit. Choose a heat pump with a high seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) for optimal energy savings. Use programmable thermostats to control temperature settings and schedule heating and cooling cycles based on your household's needs.
Quantifying the amount of greenhouse gas emissions saved by switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump will vary depending on the efficiency of the heat pump, the efficiency of the gas furnace being replaced, and the energy mix used to generate electricity and individual behaviours. Some estimates show that heat pumps can reduce carbon emissions by up to 50% compared to gas furnaces, particularly in regions where electricity comes from low-carbon or renewable sources. On average, this could translate to several metric tons of CO2 emissions saved per year per household.
Reduce Overall Energy Consumption: Adopt energy-saving habits to minimize overall energy consumption in your home. Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use. Use natural lighting and ventilation whenever possible to reduce reliance on artificial lighting and air conditioning. Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last longer.
Monitor and Maintain: Regularly monitor your home's energy usage and perform routine maintenance to ensure systems are operating efficiently. Clean or replace air filters in HVAC systems regularly to maintain airflow and efficiency. Inspect insulation and weatherstripping for signs of wear or damage, and repair as needed to prevent energy loss. Stay informed about advancements in energy-efficient technologies and consider upgrading your home's systems as new options become available.
So…which action will have the greatest impact?
If you own a home, switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump can have a significant impact on an individual level, potentially surpassing the emissions reductions achieved through other lifestyle changes such as eliminating meat consumption, thrifting clothing, or driving an EV.
Residential buildings account for 6% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions-or 40 Mt.4 According to Natural Resources Canada, almost 80% of emissions in the building sector come from space and water heating technologies.5
Gas furnaces rely on burning fossil fuels, releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In contrast, heat pumps operate on electricity, which can be sourced from renewable sources like solar or wind power. By transitioning to a heat pump, you not only reduce your reliance on fossil fuels but also lower your carbon footprint, making it a powerful step towards decarbonizing your home and mitigating climate change. The cumulative effect of the widespread adoption of heat pumps could contribute significantly to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Data from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows if every home in the US replaced their heating and cooling systems with heat pumps, single-family home emissions would be reduced by 142 million metric tons per year, leading to a 14% reduction in the residential sector.
How popular are heat pumps in Canada?
According to Statistics Canada, the share of heat pumps installed as primary home heating source in Canada doubled between 2013 and 2021, from 3% to 6%.6 More recently, Statscan found that in 2023, 7% of Canadians households reported using a heat pump. Heat pump adoption has grown faster in some regions. In the Maritimes, where heat pumps are already the primary heating technology, New Brunswick is ahead of the curve, with heat pumps representing 32% of primary home heating systems.
Considering switching to a heat pump? Don’t wait for your furnace or electric baseboards to die. Make a plan. Be ready. Check out Jouleia’s Heat Pump Calculator and Heat Pump Water Heater Calculator get cost comparisons between heat pumps and alternative home heating and cooling options throughout Canada. Discover the lifetime savings, and annual CO₂ reduction from making the switch, along with available financing.
Lots to consider here. The key is to make a plan and get started. For many of us, decarbonizing and electrifying our homes, including switching from a gas furnace to a heat pump, might just be the most significant contribution we make in our lifetime to reducing our environmental impact.
As we mark Earth Month 2024, we can all commit to starting our journey of contributing to a more sustainable future.
Got a question? Need some help?
If you’d like to learn more about energy efficiency upgrades appropriate to your home, how to plan for the retirement of your gas furnace, or you just want to chat with folks who love heat pumps, don't hesitate to reach out to Jouelia’s team of experts. We're here to help!
Book your free virtual home consultation with a Jouleia expert here.
Sources
1. Project Drawdown, 2023
2. Union of Concerned Scientists, based on average U.S. driving habits.
3. World Resources Institute
4. Government of Canada
5. Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN)
6. Statistics Canada
