Buying a New Home?

What to look for when selecting your new house

Genreal

• If it is a newly constructed home, look for recognized green building labels like LEED® for homes, Energystar, Energuide, GreenHouse Certified Construction or R-2000 to ensure the house was built to perform above and beyond building code requirements.
• If buying an existing home, request an energy audit by a certified evaluator.
• How big is the house? The best green homes have just enough space and no more!

 Location

• Look for houses located in communities that offer many amenities at your doorstep. You will save money, gas and time.
• Is the house located in close proximity to your place of work? Can you walk to work? Is it near public transit? Is the neighbourhood cyclist and pedestrian friendly?

Water

• Are plumbing fixtures water-efficient? Does it have low volume or dual flush toilets?
• Does the house have a tankless water heater solution?
• Is waste-water or run-off water harvested and reused for non-potable uses? Is the outdoor environment landscaped to efficiently use irrigation water?

Energy

• Does it take advantage of any renewable energy technique?
• Does the house make good use of natural light?
• Are lighting fixtures energy-efficient and using compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED bulbs?
• Are the included standard fixtures and appliances Energy Star compliant?
• Does the house have high performance windows that prevent air leakage, eliminate moisture damage and provide better insulation?
• Look for high efficiency furnace that will burn less fuel more efficiently, reducing both heating costs and GHG emissions.

 Sustainable Materials

• Are the materials used in construction or finishing of the house such as cabinets, floors and furniture made from renewable resources? Do they have a high recycled content? Have the products been sourced locally
• Is the wood used in the house FSC certified?

Indoor Environmental Materials

• Are the flooring, paint and other finishes non toxic with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
• Is the house equipped with Heat Recovery Ventilators which help control the moisture and humidity in the air?

Extras

• Does it have a garden to provide some food supply?
• Does it have a green roof?

Greening your Existing House

•  Conduct an energy audit to identify the best opportunities to save and improve your energy efficiency
• Insulate the attic, electric outlets, pot lights, basement and crawl space. About 20% of energy costs come from heat loss in those areas
• Install fireplace draft stoppers, attic door covers and dryer vent seals that open only when your dryer is in use
• Substitute your furnace with a high efficient one
• Keep doors and windows airtight by weather-stripping and caulking to avoid air leakage
• Install thermal drapes to decrease heat exchange through windows
• Replace existing light fixtures and bulbs with modern and energy efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED bulbs
• Take advantage of daylight harvesting, timers, dimmers and motion sensors
• Install Energy Star appliances where possible
• Install a Heat Recovery Ventilator and take advantage of fresher air inside the house
• Use a programmable thermostat to reduce energy costs when you are away or at night when you are sleeping
• Repair plumbing leaks and conserve water by selecting water-efficient plumbing products like faucets, shower heads and low flow toilets
• Choose natural or sustainable flooring products like FSC certified hardwood floors and non-off-gassing carpeting made from sustainable materials
• Consider buying green power from companies such as Bullfrog Power
• Become energy independent by installing a renewable energy system in your house such as solar photovoltaic system or a domestic solar hot water system
• Install a smart meter to help you track your energy usage
• When renovating, use recycled materials such as Ecopaints and other low VOC materials
• Install a recycling centre in the kitchen

Provided by the Canada Green Building Council

About the Canada Green Building Council – Greater Toronto Chapter

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) is a non-profit national organization formed to accelerate the design and construction of green buildings in Canada. The Council’s objective is to work with its partners in government and the private sector to accelerate the “mainstream adoption of green building principles, policies, practices, standards and tools.”

The Canada Green Building Council – Greater Toronto Chapter (CaGBC-GTC) was the first Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council. It is comprised of leading individuals from government, the building industry, suppliers and professionals, altogether representing the various segments of the design and building industry.

Together, the CaGBC and the Greater Toronto Chapter symbolize the broad interests that are necessary to come together and motivate change in the built environment.