My husband and I strive to be as environmentally conscientious as possible. For the majority of our commutes, we walk, ride our bikes and take public transportation. We grow many of our own fruits and vegetables, compost organic kitchen waste and make use of rainwater for irrigation. Our home is outfitted with a geothermal heat pump, which is considered the most environmentally friendly heating and cooling system by the Environmental Protection Agency. Just recently, we implemented a smart home automation system. This upgrade contributes to significant energy savings. The automated operation of important systems and appliances is also wonderfully convenient, reducing time and effort. The automation system caters to our daily schedule and preferences as well as the changing demands of the weather. Incorporating a smart thermostat and occupancy sensors, the system adjusts temperature to ensure comfort while also minimizing energy consumption. It knows when the home is empty and when specific rooms are occupied. With zone control, the heat pump provides heating or cooling for comfort in only those areas that are in use. We have also invested into smart blinds. During the winter, the automation system opens up the blinds in the morning to allow in sunlight. The warmth helps to reduce heating demands. In the summer, the blinds are kept closed to prevent sunlight from adding to the workload of the air conditioner. Our lights are also managed by the automation system. They automatically turn on when we enter a room and turn off when we leave. All of these operations contribute to a reduced carbon footprint and also save a great deal of money on our monthly utility bills.