| Perhaps looking into the environmentally friendly | | | | supports both heating and cooling a home. |
| real estate is worthy of your consideration | | | | - The attic space should have good air flow which |
| because such type of home uses less energy, are | | | | can be a hot air getaway. |
| built with sustainable materials, and presents | | | | - The driveway and roofing materials should be |
| healthy environment for their occupants. Another | | | | light colored because dark colors absorb sun rays |
| thing is the prices of eco-friendly homes in most | | | | and will increase solar heat gain. |
| market are very affordable. Some years ago, | | | | - Check out the landscaped areas of a home |
| building an eco-friendly home needs a premium of | | | | because it helps reduce solar heat gains. Planting |
| 11 to 25 percent. But these are not the situation | | | | beds near the home can lessen heat build up. |
| these days as homeowners could only expect | | | | Check to see if there is drip irrigation system as it |
| paying three to five percent. Below are some | | | | is an excellent water saving system. If the |
| things to look for when purchasing an eco-friendly | | | | location of the home doesn’t get much rain, it |
| home. | | | | would be unwise to have a large lawn area that |
| - The first thing to consider when buying an | | | | will require a lot of water usage. |
| eco–friendly home is to work with a | | | | - If there are appliances left with the home, see if |
| buyer’s agent specialized on eco-friendly | | | | they have Energy Star ratings. Appliances with |
| homes or designated as eco broker. Working with | | | | Energy Star ratings consume less energy and will |
| the right agent on this particular real estate | | | | help lower your bills. |
| market will provide you with the right information | | | | - Check if the windows are located on the north |
| and help you in choosing a home that has green | | | | and south facing sides of the home. Properly |
| features. | | | | positioned windows will prevent your home being |
| - To confirm that you are looking at an | | | | heated by the sun during morning and evening |
| eco-friendly home find homes that have | | | | hours. |
| “GREEN” rating. Since this rating system is | | | | - Eco-friendly homes take advantage of winds for |
| newly introduced, it may not be easy to find | | | | natural cooling so give attention to the orientation |
| homes that have ratings. Even if you cannot find | | | | of the home. Open the windows and see if you |
| a home with green ratings, it is essential that you | | | | can make use of the prevailing winds. Windows |
| know what a home with eco-friendly features | | | | placed on opposite walls brings good cross |
| looks like. | | | | ventilation. |
| - Operable windows are good as it helps with | | | | - Other good components that you should look |
| natural cooling as it allows good air flow into the | | | | for eco-friendly homes are solar panels, wind |
| home. Low E rating windows keeps harmful UV | | | | turbines, or any other renewable energy source. |
| rays out of your home which can also assist in | | | | Mind that you can update some of these items |
| keeping your home cooler. | | | | easily and change yourself. The overall |
| - Ceiling fans are good addition in cooling the | | | | construction of the home is the most important |
| home. Also, pay attention to insulation because it | | | | thing consider. |