In today’s real estate climate, potential homebuyers can afford to have discriminating taste. A growing trend is green-friendly buying that is focused on indoor air quality, energy efficiency and eco-awareness. See below for tips on how you can go green when purchasing a home.•Location - A home’s proximity to restaurants, parks, shopping, work and public transportation has a direct effect on your carbon footprint. Consider how much walking, biking and utilizing mass transit cuts down on carbon monoxide levels.
•Go pro - Hire a professional to conduct an energy audit. Infrared cameras and special fans can pressurize a house and determine how energy efficient it is.
•Billing question - Have your agent ask the seller for a year’s worth of utility bills. By dividing annual electricity and gas costs by square footage, you can come up with cost-per-square-feet figures for easy house-to-house comparison.•Sizable purchase - Remember, the more square footage the more energy is needed to heat and light it.
•Certifiable - Look for Energy Star Homes or LEED certified homes, as they will meet the EPA’s performance-energy guidelines.
•Clarity - Check if a home has storm or double-paned windows, which do even better at keeping the outdoor climate outdoors.
•Air supply - Inquire about the home’s ventilation system. Good ventilation is key to air quality, especially in tightly insulated homes.
•Leafy greens - Trees surrounding a home are great natural climate controllers, blocking rays of sun and thus, reduce cooling costs.
