If you’re looking to purchase a home and are trying your darndest to be environmentally-conscious, there are a few things to consider when attempting to purchase a “green” home, other than the typical well-sealed windows and abundance of EnergyStar appliances. You may not have considered that where your home is located is a factor, or that sealing up your windows can have an adverse effect on your family’s health.
The Materials
What kinds of materials have been used to build the home? Are they local and sustainable or do they have to be shipped over from far away using extra fuel? What colour is the roof? A darker roof will absorb heat and overwork your air conditioning system in the summer. Is there a skylight? A skylight might provide necessary indoor light at times during the day that you would ordinarily use electricity.
The Plumbing
How conservative is the home, speaking in terms of water-use? Are the fixtures prone to leaking? Are water-utilizing appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, water-conserving in design? Are there signs of water damage or a leaky basement?
Location, location, location
Is it far enough away from everything useful that you’ll need to drive just to get to the store? Or would you be able to take public transportation? A home within walking distance to the grocery store, schools, restaurants and parks will have you creating far fewer greenhouse gas emissions to get around to all of the amenities you enjoy on a daily basis.
The Air We Breathe
The over-sealing of a house for energy efficiency and heat retention purposes can also have a negative consequence: it traps toxic compounds, like mould and asbestos, within the home because of decreased ventilation. There are many companies around who conduct indoor air quality testing, and since we typically spend most of our time within the home, it’s a good idea to see where your home stands.
Already own a home that’s not so “green”?
Don’t forget about the Government of Canada’s Retrofit Rebate Program. Not only that, but the Government of Ontario and the City of Toronto have also developed their own special programs to encourage “greener” homes. Using all three of these programs, you could be entitled to up to $11,000 in grants and rebates from both governments and the city, just for updating or replacing appliances or systems in your home with ones that are more energy-efficient, or by insulating your home effectively. After a home energy audit conducted by a certified ecoENERGY specialist, you’ll be given information on how you can upgrade your home on the government’s dime. This also tangibly increases the value of your home: a survey by the Ontario Home Builders Association has found that 68 per cent of first time home buyers would consider paying $5,000 more for a “green” home, and that 40 per cent of those buyers would consider paying up to $10,000 more. Homeowners have until March 11, 2011 to make any changes.
This is a really interesting article. In addition to what you list here, I’d include the type of interior paint used. More and more paint companies are taking care to sell environmentally-friendly paint, with low VOC counts. Food for thought.