The average home pumps out six tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. The cost of utilities is forever on the rise.
Non-renewable materials are becoming more scarce. And our environment is paying the price.
So we decided to ask the experts: What are some options for home buyers who want an environmentally-friendly home?
"There are a lot of different levels," says Avalon Master Builder president Christine Scott-Nyuli.
"One of them is the Built Green program. A bronze-level home would probably be no extra cost, silver would be a small extra cost and gold a little bit more than that.
"After that there would be the R2000 home, and then after that, you start getting into Netzero homes."
Scott-Nyuli says every Avalon home is built to a minimum silver-level standard. That means energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable building practices are in each home.
"There isn't a lot of extra cost," Scott-Nyuli says. "But there are a lot of benefits. With the different levels, everybody can get involved."
Scott-Nyuli says environmentally friendly practices not only benefit the environment, but can also save homeowners money.
"It makes it really easy for a consumer to say, 'OK, I want to make sure my home is a good quality home.' "
And Avalon CEO Ryan Scott says choosing a builder and an environmentally friendly standard to go with it is simple.
"Go online. There are so many options."
Potential buyers can log onto the Built Green site (www.builtgreencanada.ca), then choose a builder from a list -- including such companies as Baywest Homes, Shane Homes and Jayman MasterBuilt.
"The goal would be to have every home to at least a Built Green minimum level within the next few years," says Jayman's director of purchasing and Built Green Society of Canada's president David Bengert.
Jayman brought Built Green to Canada six years ago to give fellow builders and manufacturers motivation to get green.
"Built Green homes are a little bit higher quality and the home will cost you less to operate on a monthly basis," Bengert says.
"We noticed last fall when gas prices went through the roof, it became more interesting to people."
Bengert adds lower energy use equates directly to less greenhouse gasses.
"Everyone now believes that global warming is a potential problem and something should be done."
