What goes into a green home inspection?Reader submitted

A green home inspection takes note of a home’s features that are not environmentally healthy and, alternatively, those that are sustainable and energy efficient. Green home property inspections are usually conducted by unbiased third party building inspectors. After notating the home’s environmentally friendly qualities, the inspector will document these features so that the homeowner has proof of his home’s green amenities. This is essential for successfully marketing the home to prospective buyers down the road.

During green home property inspections, building inspectors will take note of anything in the home that can either hurt the environment or the home’s occupants. Examples include windows with poor insulation, aged rugs that collect allergens and dirt and sometimes even the home’s utility bills to determine if it can become more energy efficient. The inspection will also take note of the home’s energy efficient and sustainable features like energy efficient appliances, water conserving toilets, solar panels and other green materials.

Inspectors will note if the home uses wood that is from fast growing trees that are quickly and easily replenished compared to regular, slow growing trees. He might even go as far as taking note of your style of driveway and walkways. If they are made out of concrete, they will block precipitation from moving into the ground and eventually making their way to vital water aquifers. The inspector might suggest that you re-seal your windows or doors, reinstall floors or replace energy eating appliances. These are examples of methods of sustainability that will lower utility bills while benefiting the environment.

Since the inspector will key in on conditions of the home that unnecessarily uses energy, the homeowner might decide to service or replace his poorly performing appliances. Although he’ll have to eat this cost up front, the new additions might lead to significant energy savings over time. Ideally, the homeowner will replace his faulty appliances and home features with machinery that is sustainable. Sustainable materials are “low energy”, meaning that it is designed to use less energy than traditional appliances. It also means that it takes less energy to assemble and deliver to the home in the first place.

Aside from finding ways to make your home more energy efficient (which saves you money), a green home inspection will make the home much more marketable to potential buyers down the road. The demand for eco-friendly homes is increasing and this trend will continue to grow in the future.