9 things you can do at home this Earth Day
Happy Earth Day 🌍🥹
We wouldn’t be here without a team that genuinely cares about the planet—and a whole lot of homeowners who do too. At Elephant Energy, we’re on a mission to make home electrification simple, accessible, and affordable. But we also know that big upgrades—like replacing your heating system or water heater—aren’t always doable right away.
So here’s the good news: smaller changes at home really do add up.
In fact, the places we live are a big part of the climate equation. Residential buildings account for roughly 20% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions when you factor in electricity use and on-site fuel burning. So yes—what happens in your home matters.
Here are a few ways to make an impact, whether you’re a homeowner or renter:
1. Upgrade to electric (when you can)
If you have the opportunity, switching from gas to electric—especially for heating, cooling, and hot water—is one of the biggest ways to cut emissions at home.
Modern heat pumps are incredibly efficient (often 2–4x more efficient than traditional systems) and run on electricity, which is getting cleaner every year. Check out these stats:
| Location | Clean/Renewable % | Primary Sources | Key Targets |
| Colorado | ~43% | Wind (69% of renewables), Solar, and Hydro. | 100% carbon-free by 2050. |
| Massachusetts | ~51% | Solar (nation-leading), Import Hydro, and Wind. | Net-zero emissions by 2050. |
| Los Angeles (LADWP) | ~64% | Solar, Wind, and Geothermal. | 100% clean energy by 2035. |
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) State Profile, Colorado Energy Office, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Colonial Power Group, and LADWP Renewable Energy Program Official Site.
Rebates can make a huge difference here:
- In Colorado, programs like HEAR have helped some of our homeowners install systems at little to no cost (though funding is limited and filling up fast). Xcel Energy also offers thousands in rebates for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, on top of additional local incentives and state tax credits.
- In Massachusetts, programs like Mass Save® offer up to $8,500, with even deeper support (and even zero cost upgrades) for income-qualified households.
- In Los Angeles, utilities like LADWP and programs like Home Performance Plus offer strong incentives, too.
2. Seal the leaks: insulation + weatherization
If your home feels drafty… it probably is.
The average home has enough air leaks to equal leaving a window open year-round. And according to the U.S. Department of Energy, air sealing and insulation can cut heating and cooling costs by ~15% (or more).
We see this firsthand: one homeowner we worked with insulated and air sealed before installing a heat pump—and ended up needing a smaller system because their home held onto heat better. Lower upfront cost, lower energy use, more comfort.
The first place to start is usually with an energy audit, where a professional will come to your home and figure out exactly how leaky your home is and what the major culprits are. If you need a trusted energy auditor recommendation, we can help steer you in the right direction! Drop us an email: hello@elephantenergy.com
3. Swap to LED lighting
Probably the easiest swap you can make! LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25x longer than incandescent bulbs. And, have you ever changed an old incandescent bulb? They are always piping HOT!
Quick win, immediate impact.
4. Rethink your stove (if you can)
Gas stoves don’t just emit carbon—they also impact indoor air quality.
About 12–13% of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. have been linked to gas stove exposure. And, recent studies have shown that children living in a home with a gas stove have a 42% higher risk of experiencing current asthma symptoms compared to those in homes without one.
Induction = no combustion, better air quality, faster cooking (and safer for the little ones who like to touch everything).
5. Use your heat pump water heater efficiently
If you already have a heat pump water heater—nice work 👏
Running it in heat pump mode (instead of hybrid) can be 2–3x more efficient than standard electric resistance heating. And, putting it in vacation mode when you’re on vacation or away from home for a few days helps cut down the energy consumption.
6. Cut the “invisible” energy use
Devices that are plugged in but not in use still draw power.
This “phantom load” can account for 5–10% of home energy use.
Smart power strips, unplugging rarely used devices, small habit shifts.
7. Recycle + compost (it still matters)
We know and share the same sentiment—we won’t be able to recycle our way out of the climate crisis, but we can do things as stewards of the earth to practice what we preach.
It’s easy to say “me recycling this thing won’t make a difference”, but then when millions of people say that same thing… boy does it add up.
Simple things like requesting a recycling bin from your neighborhood’s waste company, building a DIY compost bin in your backyard, or searching for composting services near you (there’s usually pickup or drop-off options).
Also—for our pet lovers, did you know that there are dog poop composting services too?! Check out EnviroPet if you’re in northern Colorado. And let us know any others you’ve tried, too.
8. Talk about it (seriously)
A lot of people still don’t know what heat pumps are, the benefits and comfort of them, or that rebates even exist to help more homeowners make the switch.
If you’ve made upgrades—tell people. Your neighbors, your friends, your group chat.
Pssst. Elephant customers - if you're reading this, friendly reminder that you're part of our Referral Program!
9. Get involved locally
And if you want to celebrate Earth Day this week, or maybe outside of Earth week, connecting with your community is always the best, most wholesome way to connect with neighbors and your environment. Join a neighborhood cleanup, follow local organizers, or just grab a bag and clean up your block. Here’s a few folks that do a great job organizing clean ups in our communities:
Colorado:
Los Angeles:
Boston:
Last but not least, enjoy mother nature
Never take our planet for granted. Get outdoors, ground yourself, touch grass, all the things. Here’s a few pics our team shared to celebrate Earth Day today.
The bottom line
You don’t have to do everything at once.
Big upgrades matter. Small actions matter. And together, they add up to real change. Happy Earth Day <3