Skip to content

save money

Stacked bar chart of U.S. personal carbon footprints by income group in 2019: poorest 10% 7.3 tons, lower income 11.6, middle class 18.2, upper income 37, top 1% 198. The share from investments rises from 2% for the poorest to 68% for the top 1%.

Low(er) Impact Living

Reduce, reuse, recycle… but who’s actually doing it? Here’s how big the average American footprint really is, why the top 1% leave a much bigger mark, and the habits I use to live lighter, ranked from free to $$$$. No guilt, just values in action.

Graph of rising energy costs

Why go solar?

Going solar is a smart move for your wallet and the planet. Not only can solar panels slash your electricity bills significantly, but they also offer a strong return on investment. The average solar payback period is between 6 to 10 years, depending on factors like electricity costs and incentives. Once the payback period is over, homeowners start saving money on their electricity bills, which can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the system’s lifespan. Additionally, solar energy is a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, producing no emissions during operation.

Reading time: 6 minutes

Solar Install

How to pick a solar installer for your home

When considering getting solar installed on your house, online platforms can simplify the process and help you save time and money. By providing property details, you can receive multiple customized quotes from local solar installers. You can then use other online tools to research and narrow down your choice to a company that best suits your needs.

Insulation – The Low Hanging Fruit of Carbon Reduction (and money savings!)

Insulation presents a significant opportunity for your carbon footprint reduction, but that’s not the real reason to do it. It also improves comfort and lowers your energy costs. With 90% of US homes under-insulated, enhancing insulation can reduce energy use and carbon emissions dramatically. It also offers additional benefits like increased home value.