Sustainable House Hunting Tips
Last Updated: Feb 11, 2025The process of buying a home can be a daunting one. There are countless things to consider when looking for the perfect home. In recent years, the demand for healthy, efficient homes has grown. There are many things to look for when shopping for an existing home - and sustainable features should be top of mind.
We put together a checklist of elements to look for. These are divided into five themes: energy, water, air, materials, and inclusive living. While this list is not exhaustive of every possible sustainable element, it should provide a foundational starting point in your home shopping journey, and you'll find handy links below if you want to dive deeper into any given item.
Table of Contents
- Energy Usage
- Water
- Water Collection
- Indoor Air Quality
- Home Building Materials
- Inclusive Living
Energy Usage
Energy efficiency is a crucial component of a sustainable home. There are countless opportunities to make a home more efficient. Elements to look for include heating and cooling, windows, insulation, solar power, appliances, and lighting.
Heating and Cooling
- Zoned heating and air-conditioning system: When certain parts of your home are not in use (like a basement reserved for guests), a zoned system will reduce the energy required to condition these spaces.
- Smart meters: Meters can display real-time energy data for both homeowners and energy suppliers.
- Energy monitors: Like smart meters, digital energy monitors inside a home can tell homeowners more about their day-to-day consumption habits.
- Energy-efficient heating measures: There are multiple approaches to reducing the energy required to heat your homes, such as in-floor radiant heating or a geothermal heating system. If the energy usage (and associated costs) of a home you are considering are not readily available, you should get this information from the current homeowner.
Insulation
- Insulation types: There are many insulation types to look for, but the most environmentally-friendly ones are considered to be cellulose, cotton (denim), sheep's wool, aerogel, and some types of spray foam.
- Insulation measurements: Currently, homes are required to have between R-13 and R-19 for exterior walls. At a minimum, when shopping for older homes, make sure the home meets these requirements. Ideally, you will want a home that has an even higher R-value.
- Tight thermal envelope: The most critical factor for an energy-efficient home is the thermal envelope. Ensure that your home is adequately sealed with a particular focus on the attic, windows, and doors where heat can be lost the most.
Maria Saxton
Located in Roanoke, Virginia, Maria Saxton holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning from Virginia Tech. She works as an Environmental Planner and Housing Researcher for a local firm specializing in Community Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Historic Preservation. Her dissertation explored the environmental impacts of small-scale homes. She serves as a volunteer board member for the Tiny Home Industry Association.