In the fourth installment of our Green Series, we are breaking down the top 5 benefits of building a green home.
1. Green Homes are More Durable
Homes built using recycled materials (i.e. recycled plastic and wood fibers) can last up to 5x longer than new materials. This will make your home more durable, more efficient and less expensive in the long run.
Though this may not be feasible for everyone, there are other ways to incorporate salvageable materials into your build. Stores like Habitat for Humanity ReStore outlets sell donated building materials and fixtures at discounted prices.
2. Reduce your Environmental Impact
A green home can have many design elements to reduce your carbon footprint. From solar panels to energy efficient appliances, geothermal heating and cooling systems to heat recovery systems and air ventilations. In addition to design elements, when using recycled and renewable materials it will reduce construction waste.
Check out our blog post to learn more about energy efficient design elements.
3. Green Homes are Money Savers
Not only do the design elements reduce your carbon footprint, they also aid in keeping energy costs down. These features are designed to efficiently heat and cool down your home.
Aside from cost savings, the Canadian Government implemented the Greener Homes Grant. Home owners can receive up to $5000 to make energy efficient retrofits to their homes, such as better insulation.
4. Health Benefits
Many building materials are not suited for optimal health. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known as toxicants. These can be found in wood composites, laminate, adhesives, home insulation and more. When building a green home, it’s best to use materials with no VOCs as it will drastically improve your home’s indoor air quality and pollution.
5. Get an ROI and Increased Home Value
As many millennials and gen Zs are turning toward more green and sustainable products, the same follows suit for home buying. A study conducted by TD Canada Trust shows that 72% of Canadians are willing to pay more for a house or condo that has eco-friendly features. 77% of participants say that the cost savings on energy bills is a main motivation for investing in a green home. This is a great factor to keep in mind when building a home for resale.
