3 Ways to Be a Better Global Citizen

UPDATED 8/11/21

According to the latest scientific assessment from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the impact of climate change on humanity is at a pivotal point. Humans have heated the planet about 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) since the 19th century, largely by pumping carbon emissions into the atmosphere caused by burning coal, oil and gas for energy.

As a result, Earth is warming faster than previously thought, and extreme weather events, such as storms, droughts, wildfires, and heat waves, are expected to worsen and become more frequent. While some of the impact of global warming is now unavoidable, there is still a window of opportunity to stop things from getting even worse.

“There’s no going back from some changes in the climate system,” said Ko Barrett, a vice-chair of the panel and a senior adviser for climate at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Immediate and sustained emissions cuts, “could really make a difference in the climate future we have ahead of us.”

Start Small at Home

What small changes can result in a more energy efficient home, and therefore decrease carbon emissions? For starters, a home energy audit can identify hidden energy thieves, find opportunities to save energy and improve comfort in the home.

Roughly half of energy used in homes is for heating and cooling. After an energy audit, homeowners often learn how be more efficient with their heating and cooling – especially during peak periods. Here are some energy saving solutions that can help you save money.

1. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. Did you know that if every home in the United States used an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat as designed, energy savings would grow to $740 million dollars per year and offset 13 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions? Resideo offers more ENERGY STAR certified thermostats than any other manufacturer.
   
   
2. Participate in a Demand Response program. Utilities are faced with aging electrical supply infrastructures and a growing customer base that puts a strain on the grid. This is particularly evident during peak times – typically during summer months where cooling demands are at their max. To manage potential power grid overload, utilities work with participating customers with WiFi thermostats to shed the load during these high-peak periods. Resideo’s thermostats are offered by utilities throughout North America for these demand response programs.
   
   
3. Leverage Local Energy Rebates. Utilities offer incentives to their customers to purchase and install efficient energy consuming equipment for several reasons. Products Resideo manufactures that utilities typically offer rebates on include ENERGY STAR Certified smart WiFi thermostats, dehumidifiers and air purifiers.

Resideo's Energy Savings Calculator helps estimate your annual energy savings.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES: SMART HOME ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Known as “S.H.E.M.S,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first Smart Home Energy Management System specifications. The EPA will certify qualifying whole home automation systems of items like lights, appliances and smart thermostats, as an answer to generate more energy savings.

Resideo was a key contributor to offering advice on the EPA’s specifications. Abigail Daken from ENERGY STAR said, “Resideo has been with EPA every step of the way, as we worked with smart home service providers and other stakeholders to develop ENERGY STAR recognition for smart home systems that give consumers the tools they need to make their smart home energy smart.”

At Resideo, we are dedicated to making homes more efficient – saving time, energy and money – because it's core to who we are. In fact, in 2020, Resideo products across the globe (connected thermostats, recovery ventilators, and gas water heater valves) helped our customers save 1.6 Million metric tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent, which is comparable to the energy used by nearly 200,000 homes for one year.

Learn more at about Resideo and its ENERGY STAR solutions here.