scientific america: Climate Change Begins at Home: Small Steps to Cut Greenhouse Emissions Can Lead to Big Results A new study shows how household improvements, such as better insulation, could cut U.S. carbon emissions by more than 7 percent AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS: U.S. homes could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 123 metric tons of carbon per year by installing better insulation and other simple actions. American homes and their energy consumption account for nearly 40 percent of U.S. …