Climate Change&You

What you

can do at home

Making a few small 

changes in your home 

and yard can lead to big 

reductions of greenhouse 

gas emissions and 

save money.

Resources

ENERGY STAR

Change A Light program: 

www.energystar.gov/

changealight 

EPA’s Green Power Web site: 

www.epa.gov/greenpower

EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle 

Web site: www.epa.gov/msw/

reduce.htm

EPA’s WaterSense Web site: 

http://www.epa.gov/

watersense/

EPA’s GreenScapes program: 

www.epa.gov/epaoswer/

non-hw/green/index.htm 

EPA’s Climate Change: What You 

Can Do at Home Web site: 

www.epa.gov/climatechange/

wycd/home.html

EPA’s Household Emissions 

Calculator: www.epa.

gov/climatechange/wycd/

calculator/ind_calculator.html 

1. Change five lights

Replace your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY 

STAR qualified options and you will help the environment while saving about $60 a year 

on energy bills. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light but uses at 

least 2/3 less energy than standard lighting, generates 70 percent less heat, and lasts up 

to 10 times longer. 

2. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products

When buying new products, such as appliances for your home, get the features and 

performance you want AND help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. 

Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products in more than 50 product categories, including 

lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment, and appliances.

3. Heat and cool smartly

Simple steps like cleaning air filters regularly, installing adequate insulation, and having your 

heating and cooling equipment tuned annually by a licensed contractor can save energy and 

increase comfort at home, and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

4. Use green power

Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind 

and the sun that don’t contribute to climate change. Consider buying green power or 

modifying your house to generate your own renewable energy. EPA’s Green Power Web site 

provides information on both options.

5. Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Reduce the amount of waste you generate and water you consume whenever possible. 

Pursue simple water saving actions such as not letting the water run while shaving or brushing 

teeth. If there is a recycling program in your community, recycle your newspapers, beverage 

containers, paper, and other goods. Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your home helps 

conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gases from resource extraction, 

manufacturing, and disposal. 

6. Be green in your yard

Composting your food and yard waste reduces the amount of garbage that you send to 

landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. EPA’s GreenScapes program provides tips on 

how to improve your lawn or garden while also benefiting the environment. 

7. Calculate your household’s carbon footprint 

Use EPA’s Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Calculator to estimate your household greenhouse 

gas emissions resulting from energy use, 

transportation, and waste disposal. This tool 

helps you understand where your greenhouse 

gas emissions come from and identify ways 

to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.

Office of Air and Radiation (6207J) 

EPA 430-F-07-006

www.epa.gov 

June 2007 

Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper

(Minimum 50% Postconsumer) 

Process Chlorine Free