It is important to think about the ways that the average homes today are actually hurting the environment, and the things that can be done about that fact. The average American household actually produces about two times the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that the average car does. Half of the energy costs go to either heating or cooling the home. However, there are things that can be done about this, if homes take the correct steps. Rising gas prices, coupled with tax incentives for those that use renewable energies, as well as the creation of more and more alternative energies each year, is leading to a world wide change in energy use.