How To Find An Eco-Friendly Single Family House For Your Family

It's possible you are looking to buy a new home and have thought you would like to buy an eco-friendly house. Homebuilders and real estate agents understand that more people are gravitating to eco-friendly constructions and updated homes that have become more environmentally friendly.

These single-family homes aren't that hard to find if you know what to look for. It doesn't have to be specifically built to be eco-friendly either, an existing home can be made to be more eco-friendly fairly easily. Here are some tips on finding eco-friendly single-family houses you might be interested in buying.

Check Out The Doors And Windows

When you are going through the single-family houses you are interested in buying, there are a few things you can check out or ask the homeowner about to see if they are eco-friendly. For example, check out the doors and windows in the home. Do the doors close snugly and is there any draft? Is there light coming from under the door or from the side panels? If not, they are most likely sealed properly and therefore will keep your heating and cooling costs down.

Check out the windows as well. Are they thermal windows? Are they thick-paned glass? Do you feel they close securely and don't have any drafts? You can ask the homeowner how old the windows are too and what company made them. That can help you know whether or not they are eco-friendly.

Energy Efficient Appliances

If you are looking for eco-friendly single-family homes for sale in your area, one thing you should look for is if they have energy-efficient appliances. The home should have an energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner, all kitchen appliances including the refrigerator and stove, microwave, and even dishwasher all should be energy efficient.

Ask the homeowner how old each appliance is and look for the energy star rating on the appliance. This should show you that the appliance was built with energy conservation in mind. You can ask your real estate agent to look for listings that say they have energy-efficient appliances in the home. This can help you narrow down your search.

Landscaping

While you might not think it can, the landscaping of single-family homes can help to make them more eco-friendly. If the home is surrounded by trees, they can provide protection from wind, storms, and even help to insulate the home against the cold and hotter temperatures as well.

If you have a larger backyard or more grass it can help with winter runoff or help to prevent water leaking into your basement as there is more greenspace to help absorb excess water during storms. If possible, look for a single-family home with a yard with not too much concrete space, a few trees, and you may see a reduction in your heating or cooling costs. Plus you may find fewer problems with water in your basement.