Try These Simple Improvements for a Greener Home

Want to make your home greener without having to spend too much time and energy on it? There are a few simple things you can do that'll make your home more green literally overnight with very little effort.

Here are a few simple improvements you can make for a greener home.

1. Invest in Auto-Off Lights

Getting a light switch system that automatically turns off is a great way to save energy and help the environment.

This is an especially good idea if you have a hard time remembering to turn off the light or have children who aren't in the habit of turning the lights off (and who doesn't?) :-)

2. Purchase Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Energy saving light bulbs use much less energy than the typical light bulb. They generate less heat and produce just as much light as your typical light bulb.

Yes, they are slightly more expensive than a run-of-the-mill light bulb. However, if you care about going green, this is a really simple way to do so - and they can last 5-20 times as long, so you actually save a lot of money in the long run! CFLs and LEDs are two types of energy-saving bulbs you can find just about anywhere these days.

3. Use Water Conserving Shower Heads

Water conserving shower heads are very affordable, easy to install and can help you save a lot of money on your water bills.

Essentially what they do is inject air inside the streams of water. It still feels like you're getting a full blast of water on your body when you shower, but you're actually using a lot less water. I absolutely love mine!

4. Improve Your House's Insulation

Improving your home's insulation can save you a lot of energy in the long run. It might take a bit of upfront investment, but it'll easily pay for itself.

Insulation will help you keep the heat in during winter and the heat out in summer. It'll help you reduce both your air conditioning and heating bills.

Different kinds of homes and different climates work best with different kinds of insulation. Talk to a local expert to figure out your exact cost to benefit ratio.
 

5. Use Green Products Wherever Possible

There are many places you can opt to go green in your house. You can buy eco-friendly biodegradable dishwashing soap instead of commercial detergents. You can buy organic soap and shampoo in your local Whole Foods instead of mass produced soap.

You can buy biodegradable plastics instead of plastics that clog up landfills. You can buy products made from recyclable products or which are themselves recyclable, instead of products that contribute to our unsustainable waste growth.

These are just some of the many ways you can go green. Just about every room in your house can benefit from going green. Often going green means not only helping the environment, but also saving money for your family. It takes a little bit of effort in the beginning to set up your home properly, but the rewards more than justify the effort in the long run.

Review: ECOnscious Clothing: Dress Responsibly

Men's 100% Organic Cotton Pique Polo

Living sustainably doesn't only mean in terms of food and saving energy, but it also means trying to invest in earth-friendly and fair-trade products. There are more and more choices on the web and in shops to shop for eco-conscious clothes, which is a fantastic trend. One such company is ECOnscious. They not only sell organic and sustainably grown clothing, but they also advocate fair trade, which means fair wages to employees of their suppliers.

Their clothing range includes high-quality, well-made t-shirts - both long and short-sleeved, hooded sweatshirts, tank tops, hats, caps, and tote bags, made from organic cotton and recycled materials. Whether you are looking for a comfortable, organic cotton fleece to keep warm this winter, or a soft cotton tee for the man in your life - you'll find their products of superb quality and style.

In my opinion, ECOnscious is a company that is worth supporting. The more that we purchase items made from sustainable materials, by responsible companies, the more eco-friendly options will be available to everyone, and the better off we - and the planet - will be.

You can find ECOnscious clothing through Amazon.com and other online retailers.