Green homes for eco-chic, are highly valued in the marketplace—AND save the homeowners money over the long-term on their water and energy bills. But, how can you turn your home into one of these green homes that are so highly-coveted? Well you’ve come to the right place as we’re the green real estate agents in Markham and have been helping homeowners with the acquisition and sale of green homes for years. And we’ve got great news for you, it’s easier than you think but it does require an investment of time, knowledge and of course money.

Deciding to what degree to ‘greenify’ your home, for many, comes down to money. So, when looking at the green homes tips below—decide what you can afford, how much it will save you, how long that savings will take to pay off the initial investment and what value it adds to the price tag of your home.

Green Homes: 6 Tips to Turn your Home Green
To help you get on track to a join the green homes revolution, here are some of our top tips:

1. Energy-Efficient HVAC System
A big-ticket item to the greening of your home is upgrading to a more energy-efficient HVAC system. While it will cost a large upfront investment, it will pay for itself over time while adding value to your home. If you don’t have the upfront budget for it then consider using low-interest financing options.

2. Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater is another big-ticket item—but it also has some of the biggest rewards. When you consider that a tank-using water heater uses about 30% of your home’s energy needs, you’ll see why a tankless heater is a huge step towards greening your home.

3. Low-Cost Solutions
There are a number of small upgrades you can make that are cost-effective but will help improve your energy efficiency bit by bit as they all add up. Consider making the following small upgrades:

• A programmable thermostat
• LED and CFL Lighting
• Low-flow shower heads and taps
• Additional insulation (which costs around $1.20 to $1.50 per square foot)
• Ceiling fans (to reduce air conditioning needs)
• Sealant for air leaks in your home, especially around windows
  

4. Energy Star Appliances
Energy Star appliances are a large contributor to a ‘green’ home as appliances use large amounts of energy. If you can’t afford to upgrade to all energy-efficient appliances then do just the fridge—which is the biggest energy user. 

5. Low-Flow Toilet
Toilets are huge water hogs so opt for a water-efficient toilet to vastly improve your home’s water bill, and if you can safely install them yourself they won’t break your bank.

6. Use Sustainable Materials
When you make upgrades and alterations to your home, opt for sustainable, ‘green’ materials like reclaimed materials, recycled materials and sustainably-grown and harvested materials (like bamboo for flooring).

For smart, eco-friendly real estate decisions and more tips to join the green homes movement—stick with The Wan Team, your green real estate agents!