By Anne Fonda
Carbon emissions are the release of carbon compounds, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. Carbon emissions are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the largest contributors to climate change.
The main human-caused source of carbon emissions is the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, and petroleum products. Agriculture is the largest source of methane emissions.
The primary sources of carbon emissions from human activities in the United States are:
Americans are always curious about where they rank with other countries. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2020, the top 10 countries ranked from highest emissions to lowest emissions were:
China has nearly 3x more emissions than the United States, but also has more than four times the population.
Earlier, we mentioned that buildings account for 31% of carbon emissions in the United States. You may be surprised to know that nearly half of the energy used in your home goes directly to heating and cooling.
You can reduce emissions by embracing the electrification of heat and replacing an oil or gas furnace with an electric heat pump system. An energy-efficient heat pump paired with an air handler can result in energy savings and a reduction in energy costs, resulting in long-term savings.
If you live in an area with harsh winters, you can pair the heat pump with an energy-efficient gas furnace for a hybrid heating solution. The heat pump heats your home for most of the season, while the gas furnace kicks in during frigid temperatures.
Trane is dedicated to helping our customers worldwide reduce their carbon emissions. That’s why we’ve committed to the Gigaton Challenge, the first-of-its-kind climate commitment related to customer product use of any B2B company.
Through this commitment, we’ve set a goal to reduce one billion metric tons (a gigaton) of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2e) from our customers’ carbon footprints by 2030. Our math shows that this reduction equates to 2% of the global carbon emissions – or, the annual emissions of Italy, France, and the U.K. combined.
If you’re in the market for a new energy-efficient heating and cooling system with low to no direct carbon emissions, contact your local Trane dealer to discuss the options.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Josef Hejda, Electrification Commercialization Leader
Learn what a carbon footprint is and how to determine your own carbon footprint. Trust Trane® for reliable and sustainable HVAC equipment.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This is sometimes called the greenhouse effect.
Clean energy means energy derived without burning fossil fuels like natural gas, oil, or propane.
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