Tackling climate change is an ongoing challenge for people around the world. As a homeowner, there are a variety of steps you can take to prevent further environmental damage and improve the long-term health of planet Earth. Since our homes may use more energy than any other part of our lives, making a few minor changes in your home can have a big environmental impact. Here are a few ways homeowners can help fight climate change:

Use LED Lightbulbs

Swapping out your traditional lightbulbs for energy efficient LED bulbs is a simple way to make a big impact on climate change. That’s because an LED bulb uses up to 75 percent less energy than a regular light bulb.

Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat will help you regulate your home’s temperature more efficiently than a traditional analog model. Smart thermostats not only keep your home’s temperature stay more consistent, but they also allow you to customize the temperature your home based on the time of day. You can cut back on the heating and cooling when you’re at work and return the temperature to normal when you arrive home. This little upgrade can save a ton of energy each year.

Install Solar Panels

Solar panels used to be an expensive home upgrade, but advancements in the technology have recently caused the cost of installation to plummet. And your initial investment can be recouped in a short amount of time thanks to the energy savings you’ll see from the solar panels. Solar panels will allow your home to harness the energy of the sun to power your electric appliances, which will help reduce your home’s carbon footprint drastically.

Get Energy Star Appliances

If your home has outdated appliances, upgrading them can be very beneficial. Appliances with an Energy Star label are more efficient, which means they use less energy than their non-rated counterparts. That will help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save you money on your utility bills at the same time.

Do Laundry in Cold Water

Did you know that nearly 75 percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions produced by a load of laundry comes from warming the water? Simply switching to cold water for each load of laundry can make a big impact on your home’s carbon emissions. And studies have found that washing your clothing in cold water is just as effective as washing them in warm water.

Replace Your HVAC Filter

A dirty HVAC filter will cause your air conditioner or furnace to work harder to cool or warm your home. That not only makes it less efficient, but it can also damage the unit over time. To ensure your HVAC unit is working as efficiently as possible, make sure your filter is clean. Check the filter once a month and replace or clean it at least every three months for maximum efficiency.

Use Natural Light

During the day, make the most of natural light by opening your blinds and curtains and turning off your electric lights. To enhance the use of natural light throughout your home, work to design each room to around sources of natural light. And make sure your windows are clean to let in as much light as possible.

Unplug Electronics

Unused electronics that remain plugged in are continually draining power. In fact, nearly 25 percent of residential energy usage comes from idle devices. When you’re not using electronics, like your computer, TV, cable box, coffeemaker, or speakers, unplug them to keep them from draining unneeded power. To make it simple to plug and unplug these appliances, use power strips that can be turned on and off easily.

Make Your Water Heater More Efficient

Your water heater can use a lot of energy, but there are ways to reduce its energy consumption. Start by reducing the temperature on your hot water heater to ensure it doesn’t heat the water as often. Then, take steps to insulate the tank of your hot water heater and the pipes coming out of the water heater.

Save Water

Pumping, treating, and heating the water in your home consumes a lot of energy. Do your best to reduce your water usage to fight against climate change. In addition to conserving water throughout your home, also be sure to repair leaks right away.

Insulate

A properly insulated home will make your entire house more energy efficient, which can decrease your need to heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Insulation, weather stripping, and caulking can help your home hold warm and cool air inside, making it more efficient and helping to cut back on your energy consumption.

Use a Recycle Bin

Help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from waste disposal by using a recycling bin in your home. Separate your paper, plastic, and glass from the rest of your trash and recycle those items at your local recycling facility.