How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint While Relocating

                             Image via WikipediaBy Paulina Aguilera

Did you know that the average American's carbon impact is 20 tons of carbon dioxide a year? Liquid fossil fuels alone account for 36% of the world's CO2 emissions. That's more than a third coming from our transportation!

Reducing your carbon footprint on your move is easier than you think. By taking these simple steps, you'll not only reduce the amount of harmful gas entering our atmosphere, you'll feel better knowing that you did.

Before even hitting the road, check your tire pressure. Vehicles running on under-inflated tires waste more energy and can contribute up to 1.5 tons more carbon dioxide emissions than properly inflated tires. You'll get the most out of your mileage, over a 3% boost, and in turn save yourself up to $500 a year with regular tire pressure check-ups.

Avoid the lead foot. If you have the propensity to be an aggressive driver, stop yourself. Improve your mileage on your move by about 33% just by being a passive driver. Take it easy on the accelerator by using the cruise control function of your car, if you have one.

Lower the windows. A study done by the Society of Automotive Engineers found that car windows that were lowered at speeds of up to 65mph maximized fuel efficiency. Anything higher increased drag and lowered fuel efficiency on a vehicle. A good rule of thumb is if you're 45mph or under, lower your windows.

Tell your movers not to use a shuttle. If you're hauling over to your new home with professional movers that have shuttle services, tell them you prefer to have the moving truck come to your home instead of shuttling your stuff back and forth.

Ask your moving company what they do for greener relocation. Although bio-diesel movers are in their infancy, there are current movers that employ green moving tactics, such as the ones listed above, that cut down their CO2 emissions. It's a smart move for movers because it also saves their company money on fuel costs. If the moving company you choose doesn't have a green plan, merely suggesting it will propel their attention to the burgeoning demand for greener relocation services.

Use these tips on your next move for a less pollution-inducing relocation. If you're interested in knowing what your annual CO2 contribution is, check out the EPA's Household Emissions Calculator.

MovingCost.com is your ticket to find professional movers for all of your relocation needs. Each of the moving services that our team of moving companies perform is customized and individually planned to be stress-free.

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