Green home guide

This is our step-by-step guide to sustainable and healthy housing whether you are building, renovating or maintaining a home

location and lifestyle A green home doesn’t always cost more to build, but always costs less to operate. A healthy efficient home saves money, reduces your carbon footprint and improves your quality of life...	Finding resources Whether you are building a home, you just bought a home, or you want some energy conservation tips for your apartment, it all starts here. Our tips below will help you get started in designing and planning your project...
Concepts and design This is exactly the place where a green home is started, in the design phase. Now is the time to put your creativity and ecological convictions into play...	Hiring professionals When your drawings are completed, you need to decide whether you will build your home yourself or hire professionals. Be sure to choose builders that can successfully carryout any eco-design features that you have planned. ...
Materials Green materials don’t start and end with whether or not they are recyclable or contain recycled content. There are many factors to consider when searching for sustainable materials...	Foundations and structures There is a lot to consider when choosing the foundation and wall system of your home. Here is an overview of some of those options to help you make informed decisions. ...
Roofing It wouldn’t occur to most people, but the biggest threat to the durability of your roof is not from snow, rain or frost, but from ultra violet rays...	Plumbing and water Home water Consumption in Canada is the highest per capita in the world. Efficient toilets, and low-flow fixtures can significantly reduce our home water use. ...
Heating cooling & ventilation Many systems for controlling the air quality and temperature in our homes are intertwined. Here is a look at some of the options for efficiently heating, cooling and bringing fresh air into your home...	Insulation & soundproofing The energy efficiency of a home is determined largely by the construction and insulation of the building envelope. Insulation is not a place where you want to cut corners to save money, because you’ll end up spending more...
Interior air quality Sustainable and ecologically responsible building practices not only reduce your environmental footprint, they also result in more durable and healthier homes. We spend an average of 90% of our time indoors, where air is usually 3 to 4 times more polluted than outside air...	Flooring A list of the pros and cons, durability,cost and lifespan of flooring materials. Find healthy and durable flooring that is right for you, and protect your indoor air quality (IAQ)...
Kitchen and bathroom Kitchen and bathroom design can have a significant impact on your energy and water consumption, as well as the durability and air quality of your home. ...	Windows and doors The energy efficiency of your home is greatly affected by doors and windows, so choose well. Here are some tips about what to look for and what to avoid...
Landscapes & urban farming Sustainable home landscaping has permeable surfaces, doesn't require a lot of watering, and ideally incorporates rainwater collection. Urban farming means you can eat what grows there, and that's even better...	Interior finishing Whether you are renovating or building, the materials you choose for interior finishing will affect not only aesthetics, but also indoor air quality. Here is a look at the pros and cons of the different materials you will have to choose from...
Exterior siding The exterior siding you choose will serve to protect your home from the elements. Along with aesthetics, it's important to evaluate products based on performance, maintenance and durability...	Furniture and decorating Being mindful of chemicals in the products you furnish your home with can have a dramatic effect on the indoor air quality (IAQ)of your home, and your health. ...
Grants and incentives Beyond just lower utility bills, there are other financial incentives to buy or build green homes. Here is a list of some federal, provincial and municipal programs that could save or even make you some money. ...	Lighting, appliances & electrical Home lighting impacts safety, function, energy consumption and quality of life. Different lights offer not only different levels of efficiency, but a variety of colours as well, and can help with Seasonal Affective Disorder(S.A.D.)...