Like most Americans, I watched the State of the Union to hear President Obama outline his goals for the year ahead, to understand his energy outlook and plans, and of course, to see what Michelle would be wearing (a stunning royal blue, of course).

When listening to the President highlight his administration’s clean energy initiatives, I couldn’t help but remember the First Family's goals to reduce childhood obesity in America. By no surprise, the link between nationwide health improvement and energy efficiency efforts is strong. By reducing our demand for processed and imported foods, we can improve the health of generations to come, extend our overall lifespan and reduce the energy we waste on packaging. [More]

While it hasn't even been a month since the official arrival of spring, we've already enjoyed a handful of dry, sunny, 80-degree days. Like in many areas around the country, this time of year also means the start of regular lawn watering.

Last week we turned on our sprinkler system for the first time since winterizing it last October. Part of the activation process includes testing each "zone" to ensure the sprinkler heads are working correctly and are only spraying the lawn and plants (not the sidewalk or street). [More]

This week, you read about some ways you can use shade to keep your home cool in the spring and summer. Some people are lucky enough to have a lot of trees for natural shade, while others of us have to create our own.

Spring is the perfect time of year to do some planting around your home, and landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home cool in the Summer and reduce your energy bills. Carefully positioned trees can save up to 25% of the energy a typical household uses for energy. Dense shading deciduous trees are generally best, and should be planted on the south-side of structures—far enough away from homes to allow for proper growth of the selected tree, but close enough for the shade of the tree in its maturity to cast a shadow to south-facing windows.

Be mindful to choose trees that thrive in your climate zone. Indigenous species are a safe bet. This will ensure your trees are healthy and they will generally require less water. And to be environmentally friendly—use natural fertilizers and pesticides.

And if you aren't able to plant trees, there may be other methods—such as overhangs and awnings—that you can use to shade your home.

How do you shade your home in the summer?

Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments. [More]

Spring is my favorite time of year. The snow (finally!) stops, the temperature is perfect, and everything is colorful again. We rarely need to turn on the heat or air conditioner to stay comfortable at home, and there's nothing better than a relaxing evening on the deck.

But that doesn't last long, and soon the hot days of summer will be upon us. At my house, we're already thinking about how to cut our cooling bills while still keeping our home comfortable.

We have a panoramic view of the Rocky Mountains to the west that is gorgeous, no doubt, but the direct sunlight keeps our air conditioner working overtime when it's hot out. Plus, it gets so hot that we aren't able to use our back deck to enjoy that wonderful view during the summer months.

There's only one answer: shade. [More]

Last week, Chris gave you some tips to save water while caring for your lawn. How do you save water when caring for your lawn? Each Thursday, you have the chance to share your thoughts on a question about energy efficiency or renewable energy for consumers. Please comment with your answers, and also feel free to respond to other comments.

Especially for home owners who have automatic sprinkler systems, it's easy to forget that regular summer watering uses a tremendous amount of water and can contribute to higher than necessary water bills. Consider these easy tips for saving money and water when caring for your lawn: Water only when your lawn needs it. The rule of thumb is that your lawn needs one inch of water per week. If you walk across your lawn and leave footprints, it's time to water. Or you can use a screwdriver as a probe to test soil moisture. If it goes in easily, don't water. Water during the coolest parts of the day. Mornings are best to prevent fungus growth and minimize evaporation. Water slowly and deeply to avoid runoff and allow for better absorption.This will help your lawn's roots learn to grow down into the soil, improving their strength and health. It will also prevent evaporation. Use sprinklers that throw big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller drops of water and mist often evaporate b... [More]