From Guest Blogger Blake Meredith: Dive Into the Best Home Improvements for Earth Month

It’s Earth Month once again, which means two things — Earth Day itself is rapidly approaching, and what better time to reflect on our energy consumption habits.

This year, the Earth Month theme is “Our Planet is in Peril.” What better way to observe this month than be initiating some changes in our own homes. From investing in renewable energy to making a few minor hardware alterations, there’s a lot you can do this month to lessen your carbon footprint.

Audit Your Annual Energy Use

This is really the most sensible place to start. This way, you can identify areas where your inefficiencies are. It could be advantageous to hire a professional to come in to look at your home to help determine where (and how) you can set about improving your home. Speak with your local utility provider — they might even be willing to perform your audit for free.

Smart Thermostat

There has been a lot of talk about the value of home automation technology. Thanks to the “Internet of Things,” most home-owners can use their smart devices like remote controls that orchestrate in-home communications between devices. Best of all, you can program your thermostat using a smart platform. You can set it to automatically reduce the temperature throughout the house by whatever time of night when everyone is asleep. You can also program everything so that it shuts off during the hours that you spend at work (although you’ll want to be strategic about how you do this during the warmer months if you have a pet at home).

Cleaner Energy for Your Home

If you live in a deregulated state, then you should be capable of signing up for service with an alternative energy producer. You’ll have to do a little research to ensure that you get the best local deal. In the American southwest, solar is a desirable option, and in Arizona specifically, you have a few vendors you can chose from (SolarCity or Tucson Electric Power). In the midwest, you have have companies like offering cleaner natural gas at a competitive rate (see www.ohiogascompanies.com). Do your homework, and make the switch to alternative energy this year.

Replace Your Doors

Some doors are going to do a better job of insulating your home than others. Most experts will advise you against using hollow doors made out of metal. You want a door that provides better insulation, like fiberglass or wood. And if you choose fiberglass over wood, favor products that come with a core that’s insulated with polyurethane. If you’re handy, you might try changing the door yourself. Otherwise, it might be in your best interest to contract a specialist.

More Efficient Water Heaters

There are multiple ways that you can adjust the way you heat water in your home. The kind of fuel that will work best for your home will be dependent largely on what is available in your area.  Geothermal, natural gas, and solar power are the best options in some regions throughout the united states. You’ll have to do some research. Not only will this decrease your utility bill, but you’ll also be doing the environment a tremendous service.