Whooping 82% of Canadians warm to green homes

Given the ever-present threat of climate change, homebuyers are warming up to the idea of energy-efficient housing.

It's not only beneficial to the environment, but it can help lower the aggravation in paying the monthly utility bills.

A new federal housing initiative now aims to prove those bills can be brought down to virtually nothing by building homes that can produce as much energy during a year as they consume. It's enough to have any homeowner turn green with envy.
A recent Investors Group survey showed an overwhelming 82 per cent of Canadians plan to change their behaviour and adopt green practices. That's especially true if "going green" will save them money, with 63 per cent willing to spend up to $10,000 in changes to their homes to reduce annual energy costs by 25 per cent.

Meanwhile, research by J.D. Power & Associates found that 84 per cent of homebuyers say energy efficiency is extremely or somewhat important to their purchase decision.

For the new homebuyer, spending more now on a new energy-efficient home will save a lot of time and money in doing future upgrades, and it's clear more Canadians are going that route.

While still in its infancy, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.'s EQuilibrium project could be the country's most ambitious energy-efficient housing program to date.

Its goal is to demonstrate homes can be built having net zero energy consumption, by integrating solar technology and on-site renewable energy systems, such as solar water heating and ground-source heat.

Of course, homeowners will have to pay a premium to own one, though just how much has not been determined. One of the most expensive features is the use of photovoltaics -- devices used to convert sunlight into electricity. They can cost $20,000 to $60,000 to install, and are not eligible for government subsidies in this country, says Fugler.

(prepared by Darcy Keith/Vancouver Province)