A major reality of changing temperatures and extreme weather is the risk posed to our homes by the increasing frequency of floods, droughts, cold snaps, heat waves, and other changes to weather patterns.
Beyond the risk of physical damage to property, certain areas will likely see an increased premium price for services like flood or fire insurance and may also experience reduced resale values.
Luckily, a number of resources can help you know the specific future dangers your property may face so that you can prepare now rather than later.
The National Risk Index
FEMA has compiled thousands of data points into an interactive map that details 18 different hazards associated with certain areas, ranging from avalanches and hail storms to floods and droughts. This extensive information is a good starting point for evaluating the vulnerability of your home against natural disasters.
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TCD Picks » Induction Cooking
💡Discover the induction option that’s just right for your needs and your home
TCD Picks » Induction Cooking
💡Discover the induction option that’s just right for your needs and your home
Turn your closet into cash just by filling a bag ThredUp makes it easy to clean out your closet and earn money from your unwanted clothes. To get started, all you have to do is order a Clean Out bag and fill it up with your pre-loved clothes. When you send it back, ThredUp takes care of everything from photographing and listing your items to shipping them once they sell — and you earn the cash without the hassle. Learn more → |
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💡Save thousands with a heat pump
A heat pump can save you thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs — but first you have to find the right installer at the right price.
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The Cool Down may receive a commission on signups made through links on this page, but we only promote partners we vet and believe in. For more cool tips like this one, check out our solutions marketplace here.
💡Save thousands with a heat pump
A heat pump can save you thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs — but first you have to find the right installer at the right price.
Use EnergySage's free tool today to find local options, compare prices, and see how much you can save.
The Cool Down may receive a commission on signups made through links on this page, but we only promote partners we vet and believe in. For more cool tips like this one, check out our solutions marketplace here.
💡Save thousands with a heat pump
A heat pump can save you thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs — but first you have to find the right installer at the right price.
Use EnergySage's free tool today to find local options, compare prices, and see how much you can save.
The Cool Down may receive a commission on signups made through links on this page, but we only promote partners we vet and believe in. For more cool tips like this one, check out our solutions marketplace here.
EnergySage makes it easy to find community solar projects in your area. Get started with their free tool to save money without the hassle of rooftop panels or switching providers.
Enter your ZIP code and average monthly electric bill
Turn your closet into cash just by filling a bagThredUp makes it easy to clean out your closet and earn money from your unwanted clothes. To get started, all you have to do is order a Clean Out bag and fill it up with your pre-loved clothes. When you send it back, ThredUp takes care of everything from photographing and listing your items to shipping them once they sell — and you earn the cash without the hassle. Learn more → |
The Sea Level Rise Viewer
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has paired a map of the U.S. coastline with a water level slider. This allows anyone with a property in a coastal or marshland area to view risks posed by rising sea levels. The Sea Level Rise Viewer also explores areas that will be affected by high-tide flooding as the coastline shape changes over time.
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Wildfire Risk To Communities
Created by the USDA Forest Service, the Wildfire Risk to Communities tool allows anyone to assess the potential danger of wildfires to their neighborhood. While much of the website is geared toward community leaders, there is a wealth of information for individual homeowners about things they can do to protect their properties from fire and smoke.
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Risk Factor
Offered by the nonprofit First Street Foundation, the online tool Risk Factor creates a free risk assessment for any given property from dangers such as flooding or fire. While Risk Factor is a nongovernmental entity, the methods for its risk assessments are available online for transparency.
ClimateCheck
ClimateCheck is a for-profit organization that generates a detailed analysis of a property and the potential dangers posed to it by the changing climate in the next 40 years. It also offers an analysis of entire geographic areas and corridors to see the potential risks beyond the scope of a single home.
Selling your EV? Watch this first to protect your investment and make $1,400 more
Recurrent is a free service that maximizes the resale value of your EV by documenting battery health and getting you top-dollar offers from a national network of dealerships. |
Can't afford solar panels? Here's how to get them without paying for purchase or installationPalmetto's revolutionary LightReach program gives you all the benefits of solar power without the upfront costs. LightReach lets you lease solar panels with no money down, making it easier than ever to lock in energy savings. Palmetto assumes all risk and responsibility for the panels you lease, which means you'll get reliable performance without unforeseen costs. To get started, just answer a few basic questions about your home and learn how much you can save. |
Got a ductless mini split? Swap your outdated remote for a smart controller to elevate your cooling experience Klima is a smart thermostat and controller that's very different to a traditional Nest or Ecobee. It’s designed specifically for ductless heating and cooling — like room A/Cs, window A/C units, and mini split heat pumps — regardless of brand or age. Klima helps you save on energy bills and make your life easier by automatically regulating your home’s temperature to exactly how you like it. You can even control your A/C from your phone and monitor usage no matter where you are. Learn more → |
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone numberWant to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
Climate Risk & Resiliency Portal
Created by multiple government agencies, The Climate Risk & Resiliency Portal (or ClimRR) shows simulated effects of the changing climate. Users can draw on an interactive map and review the summary of the generated data points. Anyone can compare historical stats for things like maximum temperature for a given area against what current scientific models predict for that area in the future.
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TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
