Tour suggests green design tips like bamboo woven shades

The third annual Green Home Tour, hosted by the Environmental and Conservation Organization, is taking place this Saturday, in North Carolina, according to The Times-News.

"[This tour] offers some great examples of how anyone concerned about energy costs and protecting the environment can take some positive steps forward," David Weintraub, executive director of ECO, told the news source.

He cited environmental and economic reasons for making a home greener with more eco-friendly features, claiming that the energy costs of traditional appliances will skyrocket in the coming years.

Some of event will cover aspects of home maintenance, such as electricity and water use. It promotes the use of solar power and the Environmental Protection Agency's new Water Sense certification program, which can save homes approximately 10,000 gallons of water a year, and account for up to $100 in utility savings.

Other displays will include edible gardens and completely green decks, among other environmentally-friendly outdoor additions to a home.

Homeowners who are concerned with the environmental impact of their household can also invest in bamboo woven shades, which are made from 100 percent natural bamboo. Since bamboo is a renewable resource that grows back within five years of being harvested, it is a beautiful, sustainable solution to window treatments.