Real (sustainable) Estate - Top 5 Eco-Features homebuyers are looking for

The Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation recently shared early highlights from its 2024 Mortgage Consumer Survey, and more homebuyers and homeowners are looking for sustainable features in their home searches and renovations. Buyers are prioritizing energy efficiency, balancing climate awareness with higher costs of living.?

Who wouldn’t want to save the planet AND save more money? Or in the case of sellers, make more on the value of their home?

The survey found that buyers are prioritizing energy efficient homes more than ever before. A growing awareness of environmental impacts is driving the trend.?

If you’re looking to sell your home, but want to make a few upgrades to it before putting it on the market, I've provided my top five sustainable home upgrades that are in demand, add value and save money.?

Or maybe, you just bought a new home and want to make a few adjustments and hopefully save on emissions and hydro and heating bills, while still setting yourself up for higher value if and when you do sell. According to the CHMC survey, 68% of those who did energy-efficient renovations saw savings in their energy/electricity bills.?

57% of homebuyers said energy efficiency was an important factor in their home purchasing decision and 93% of those who did energy efficient renovations are satisfied with the results of their renovations.?

Now that tax season is over, those of you last minute filers (no judgment here!) will be seeing the Canada Carbon Rebate in your accounts. The Canada Carbon Rebate (formerly the Climate Action Incentive) certainly gets people riled up, but there’s a lot of misunderstanding about it as well. The idea behind it is that everyone gets it whether they make green renos or not, and those who do end up saving the most. Even if you don’t make any adjustments, it still covers more than the extra you would pay on things like energy use, natural gas and gasoline.?

Here are some minor and major adjustments you can make to your home to save you money in the long run and add value to your home at the same time! I put a couple links in here; these are just my best recommendations and I’m not making anything off of the links.

1. Switch to LED lighting

Oftentimes when most people think about Green Renovations, their minds go straight to the big ticket (and big hassle) items. But it’s not always the best way to add value to your home, nor is it always the best way to reduce your home’s impact on the environment and your wallet.?

Making the switch from halogen or filament to LED bulbs can make a big difference. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs, and they last 25 times longer, meaning you risk teetering on a ladder far less!?

Various independent sources say lighting can make up between 4% - 12% of your energy consumption, depending on a number of factors, so this is definitely a great way to reduce your energy bills on a budget.?

2. Prioritize gardens and green space?

Save the bees! One feature my clients are increasingly looking for is garden space. With food prices so high, many people are looking to grow some of their own food. While it can be a challenge to find the space in urban areas, Ottawa has some of the most garden space per capita of anywhere.?

If you have a lot of grass, one way to improve your home value is to landscape it with sustainability in mind. If you can add vegetable garden space, great! If not, space for some pollinator plants will be eye-catching and good for the environment.?

In more urban areas, like Little Italy or Beechwood, I’m always looking for listings that have that garden space, or have a publicly accessible community garden nearby. There are community gardens all over the city, as well as support for those who want to start one.?

3. Plant trees

Trees are pretty cool. No, literally, trees cool down the surface temperature outside. While they cool surface temperatures, they can also add privacy and significant value to your home.??

The City of Ottawa has a program called Trees in Trust to protect and grow the tree canopy. If you think there’s a good spot in front of your house on the street frontage (city owned) you can have the city add a tree for free.?

In Ottawa, if you want to plant a tree on your own property, you do not need a permit, but check in with an arborist or local nursery to help select the right tree for the spot.????

4. Replace old appliances and fixtures with EnergyStar certified products

Not all homes come with the appliances in tow, but it can be a great way to increase your home value and savings. Always look for EnergyStar appliances, as they are the best in terms of energy usage.?

A rule of thumb is the bigger the appliance, the more energy it uses. An older refrigerator can cost you twice as much compared to a newer EnergyStar model.?

Anything that heats space or water has a huge impact as well. A tankless or on-demand water heater can save as much as 35% in energy use and monthly costs compared to traditional models. It can be an investment upfront, but adds substantial value to your home.?

5. Keep cool!?

If your parents told you that you lose most of your body heat through your head and your feet, you’re not alone. For homes, the same can be said for windows and doors.

EnergyStar certified windows and doors are up to 20% more efficient, which drastically changes how much you pay in air conditioning and heating expenses in the summer and winter. The best in class “Most Efficient” EnergyStar windows, doors and skylights are as much as 55% more efficient.?

If you’re looking for a new build, most of them will be fitted with efficient doors and windows. If you’re planning to build a home, it's worth the investment - just make sure your installers are Window Wise certified because poorly installed efficient doors or windows are not much better than what you’re replacing.?

Older homes sure have a lot of charm, but they can also have drafty windows. Always look for older homes that have had recent upgrades to the windows or consider making the investment yourself.?

If you’re not in a place where you can invest in a whole set of new windows or doors, consider draft guards, weather stripping, and filling holes that cause drafts with caulking. While it won’t necessarily increase the value of your home, it will save you and any future residents from higher home heating bills.?

If you are looking for a new home, these are features to keep an eye out for, or leave space in your budget to make these upgrades yourself. And if you’re starting to think about selling and want to increase the value of your home before listing, consider these upgrades to attract the ever-increasing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable homes.?

There are often incentives and rebates available for many of these upgrades, but there are also scams on it too so check the government directory of rebates and incentives first.?