Canadians continue to see the value in owning an environmentally friendly home, with 72% of willing to pay more for a house or condo that includes “green” features, according to the TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll, conducted by Angus Reid.
Canadians like to save money
Of those who are willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly home, 77% say that cost savings on energy bills is a main motivation (compared to 65% in 2008). After saving money, those surveyed say they appreciate the added features of a green home, such as the health benefits (43%) and reducing their environmental impact (42%).
“This is the third consecutive year that Canadians have told us they will pay more for a home with environmentally friendly features,” says TD Canada Trust’s Chris Wisniewski.
Eco-friendly home renovations and upgrades are also popular with Canadians. Twenty-seven percent of respondents to the survey have done a green home renovation or are planning to do so in the future. Another 29% say they would like to carry out a green home renovation but don’t know where to start.
Incentives work
Government incentives, such as the federal ecoENERGY program, encourage Canadians to make changes. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed say they are interested in participating in an energy saving program, and 11% already are.
Two-thirds of respondents say they are more likely to make energy-efficient upgrades if they benefit from tax credits, and 59% say they are likely to consider an environmental assessment prior to home renovations.
“With Earth Day right around the corner,” says Wisniewski, “it’s the perfect time for Canadian homeowners to assess how green their homes are and make some positive changes.”
Trying to live a little greener
Many Canadians are making small-scale changes around the house. Replacing regular light bulbs with CFL bulbs (53%) and replacing or upgrading windows (38%) top the list of home improvements homeowners have already made or are planning to make in the next 12 months.
Other popular improvements include applying weather-stripping and caulking to stop drafts (34%), replacing kitchen appliances with more energy-efficient models (30%) and changing light fixtures to accommodate low-wattage lighting (30%).
With respect to green home maintenance options, respondents’ efforts include choosing to avoid pesticide use (57%), disposing of chemical products at the appropriate disposal centre (57%) and using green household cleaners (46%).
Regional poll highlights
• People in BC and Atlantic Canada are most likely to say tax credits would encourage them to make energy-efficient upgrades (79% in British Columbia and 78% in Atlantic Canada versus 66% nationally).
• Homeowners in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are most likely to consider an environmental audit prior to finalizing their home renovation plans (64% versus 59% nationally).
• Eighty-four percent of Atlantic Canadians are interested in participating in an energy saving program (versus 66% nationally) while only 4% actually are (versus 11% nationally).
The TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll surveyed nearly 1,500 Canadians who own a home or are considering purchasing a home in the next 12 months.
