Less Power Plant Emissions

Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, there are many simple things that can help you shrink your electric bill. For example, a home energy audit can show you the areas where your house may be losing heat and air or using too much electricity. An audit can also identify ways to reduce phantom energy use, which includes appliances that are plugged in but not used.

Power plants emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases when they burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. They are responsible for more than 40 percent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Less Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Many of the same energy efficiency measures that reduce your electricity bills also cut carbon dioxide emissions. For example, replacing your incandescent light bulbs with LED energy-efficient light bulbs can reduce electricity consumption by 75% and eliminate the emissions from burning the old bulbs.

Similarly, replacing your air conditioning unit with an Energy Star-labeled model can prevent 13 billion pounds of greenhouse gas pollution per year, equal to the annual tailpipe emissions from 1.2 million cars. Purchasing energy efficient appliances, using ceiling fans in hot weather and washing your laundry with cold water are other ways to limit fossil fuel-based pollution.

Less Fossil Fuel Consumption

Fossil fuels have been vital to the world’s economy, enabling industrialization and lifting millions out of poverty. But their combustion releases greenhouse gases that are heating the planet’s atmosphere and leading to other problems, such as water shortages and air pollution.

Efforts to curb these emissions will require new technologies and changes in the way people use energy. But the pace of change needs to be fast in order to avoid dangerous climate disruptions.