Feeling as if your home could use some modern updates? Here are five environmentally friendly home improvement projects that will make your home a more attractive, comfortable and sustainable place to live.

1. Install a New Water Softener

If you’re looking for a home improvement that will enhance your quality of life while lessening your impact on the environment, replacing your water softener is an excellent idea. You might be surprised to know that hard water actually has an effect on how well your household appliances are able to run. Your water heater, for example, runs more efficiently when soft water is used. It’s clear that investing in a modern water softener not only improves your everyday life with pure water that’s good for drinking and bathing, it also improves your home’s overall energy consumption as well as the life of your other appliances.

2. Add New Insulation

It’s no secret that quality insulation makes a home more energy efficient, reducing overall impact on the environment. Traditional fiberglass insulation, while often the cheapest option, actually costs more in the long run when you take into account the energy loss that comes from using the bargain option. Luckily, there are plenty of excellent eco-friendly options that provide much greater insulation per square inch. You’ll need to take into account your own unique needs when choosing an insulation material, but options like Icynene, polystyrene or even sheep’s wool will help seal your home from the elements while making a low impact on the environment.

3. Switch to Solar

Solar power systems have come a long way in recent years, but the driving principle behind this home renovation is still the same – harnessing the energy of the sun’s rays is a much cleaner option than using power created from the burning of  fossil fuels. Solar panels can be installed virtually anywhere, including the roof of your home or even in your backyard. Consult with a local solar panel installation company to see just how affordable it is to add this feature to your home. In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, switching to solar provides a massive savings on your monthly energy bills – it’s a home improvement that actually pays for itself.

4. Refresh Your Landscaping

You may not realize it, but your home’s landscaping has a great impact on the environment. There are a few landscaping techniques that can turn your front or backyard into an environmentally friendly haven. One great technique that has lasting positive impact on the environment is to create a pollinator garden. These gardens attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds to your yard. Plant a wide variety of flowering, native plants. Also consider planting some host plants, which are plants where butterflies are able to lay eggs. Flowering plants like aster and nasturtium are great host plants, and they look nice in any garden, too.

5. Install Smart Technology

Introducing smart technology into your home not only makes life easier, it also will reduce your overall impact on the environment. Install a smart thermostat that allows you to remotely control the temperature in your home, which is a great way to conserve energy. You might be surprised to know that smart technology can also assist you in reducing your water consumption. Smart showerheads and shower timers like Water Pebble allow you to save water as you bathe. You can save water outdoors, too, by installing a smart irrigation system to supply your lawn with the perfect amount of water for healthy growth.

It’s important to do your part to protect the environment. Follow these tips and you’ll feel confident that you’re making sustainable choices for your home, inside and out.