What Is a Green Home Inspection?

A green home can be a major draw for environmentally conscious buyers. These homes are built with a focus on sustainability and their environmental impact. Green home inspections are conducted by inspectors with additional certification that allows them to provide a comprehensive home inspection report that focuses on energy, sustainability, and impact for prospective buyers and homeowners. 

If you’re in the market for a green home, it’s time to dive into the details of what makes a house environmentally friendly. Arm yourself with an understanding of what inspectors look for in a green home inspection to prepare for potential questions that may arise.

What Is a Green Home?

A green home is constructed with a focus on energy efficiency using sustainable, non-toxic materials that contribute to healthier living. Green homes often feature: 

• Low-flow plumbing

• Energy-efficient appliances

• Recycled building materials

• Sustainable landscaping

Green homes are ideal for those searching to reduce their environmental footprint and limit their pollution exposure. Due to the energy efficiency and sustainability of these homes, they also cost much less to operate and have a high resale value.

What Is a Green Home Inspection?

A green home inspection identifies and confirms that green features are present and working within a home. It goes beyond a typical home inspection in that it assesses the home based on its energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, and the promotion of human health. 

The green inspection is conducted by a professional home inspector in your area who has completed a specialized training program such as the Green Rater certificate program. Green home inspections cost, on average, around $350.

What Green Inspectors Look For

When hiring green home inspectors, ask them about their focus on three key areas: energy efficiency, sustainable materials and practices, and human and environmental health. Some of the green elements that inspectors look for may not be visible, and documentation will have to be produced by the seller to confirm a green home inspector’s legitimacy. 

Energy Efficiency

Green home inspections begin by examining the energy efficiency of your home. They also assess the materials and methods used to build the home as well as the types of appliances installed. 

Examples of energy-efficient materials and appliances include:

• A thermostat radiant barrier on the roof

• Vacuum insulation panels

• Plant-based polyurethane foam (instead of fiberglass)

There are a few common problems the inspector may find that could cause your home to fail the energy efficiency part of the inspection, including: 

• Leaky windows

• Lack of insulation

• Inefficient heating and cooling systems

Green home inspectors don't evaluate the solar energy systems of the home or the measure of energy efficiency. This is done by an energy auditor, who has additional training in programs like the Residential Energy Services accredited program. 

Energy auditors will look at: 

• the past year's energy bills

• the energy consumption of appliances

• air leakage testing

Sustainable Materials

Another notable factor that green home inspectors will assess is sustainable building practices. Sustainable building refers to the use of materials and practices that support environmental responsibility and resource efficiency. 

Sustainable materials include: 

• Soil found on the job site 

• Wood from fast-growing trees that uses less energy than traditional materials

• Devices like low-volume toilets or shower heads that help conserve water

Common materials that fail a green inspection for sustainability include:

• Unsustainably sourced wood

• Asphalt or fiberglass roofing

• Volatile organic compound paints or coatings

Human and Environmental Health

A green home inspector will also look at the factors of the home that contribute to human and environmental health. For example, they may assess: 

• Carpets that can hold allergen-containing particles

• Concrete driveways that prevent rain from soaking into the ground

• Lead paint that can pose a risk to human health

If your house has some of the following items, it may be deemed as a healthier home: 

• Adequate ventilation to improve indoor air quality

• Low air leakage to maintain air quality and temperatures

• High levels of natural light

What Are the Benefits of Having a Green Home?

Once the home inspector has completed their evaluation, they will give you a green home inspection report of their findings. The home inspection report will provide a list of any damages to the home, along with an assessment of the environmental factors listed above. 

If your house is verified as a green home after the inspection, you may see some health and environmental benefits, including:

• reduced operating costs

• improved health

• less immune distress

• brighter daylight

A green home will also have a higher market value due to its green features and lower operating costs. Green homes, on average, sell for a premium of up to 6% higher compared to regular homes. Some energy-efficient features even allow green homeowners to apply for insurance deductions of up to 5%, as well.