I found that a large part of my carbon footprint was a result of the way we heat my house (oil) and the fact that we do so for around half of the year. I also noticed this trend in my classmates footprints. Unfortunately I don’t know much about other heating possibilities or ways to lessen the heating impacts. Does anyone have ideas for different heating methods or ways to reduce the effects of heating without heating changing what we are heating with?

In my house, we are using electric heating systems, which are very good at keeping heat, and does not affect my carbon footprint at all. If everyone could get electronic heating systems in their own houses, then our carbon footprint would be much lower.

Can you further explain your “electric heating systems”

In my house I use a furnace to heat my house and it heats my house pretty good and it affects my carbon footprint a little bit. Having a furnace isn’t good because a furnace takes wood and wood comes from trees and deforestation affects our planet because as the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world's wildlife. They also provide us with the materials for tools and shelter.

I also use oil heating in my house for about half the year, and  it did make my carbon footprint higher and it was the highest in the category. I was also wondering about how I could lower it my carbon footprint, but not change the heating system in my house. Any thoughts?

I’ve also noticed a trend with higher home emissions in the colder areas where heating is more necessary. I would like to, in the future, look into the electric heating that was mentioned and figure out how much that could change my personal footprint.

Josie P, you could try keeping your house at a lower temperature and also keep it off during the summer months. Another big factor is in the insulation you use for you house.