{"id":84884,"date":"2024-02-13T10:33:40","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T15:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&#038;p=84884"},"modified":"2026-02-20T11:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T16:14:26","slug":"what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Green Home and Can it Reduce Emissions?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-single-article-header\">\n\t<section class=\"section-grey cover pad-t-hlf\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-inner w-half w-mob-full centered-margin cover section-grey pad-tb-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"inline-block pill-container pill-taxonomies\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mar-b-hlf mob-mar-b snipe pill is-style-blue-pill\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"primary-taxonomy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/home-ownership\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Home Ownership<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"mar-b-hlf mar-t-0 mob-pad-lr-hlf h2 has-black-color\">What is a Green Home and Can it Reduce Emissions?<\/h1><p class=\"mar-b-0 mob-pad-lr-hlf author-text\">By RBC<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"featured-image-wrapper pos-rel\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?quality=80\" class=\" cover-image  wp-post-image\" alt=\"Solar panels on a large, detached home can generate renewable electricity.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg 5997w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?resize=1536,1025 1536w, https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/02\/Image-for-green-homes-article.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t<div class=\"article mar-t-dbl\">\n\t\t\t\t<section>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-inner socials-section\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"top-socials-bar mob-mar-b-hlf\">    <div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n            <a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=What is a Green Home and Can it Reduce Emissions? &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC My Money Matters: https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n          alt=\"envelope icon\">\n        <span>\n          Email        <\/span>\n      <\/a>\n      <div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n        <button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n            alt=\"copy icon\">\n          <span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n            Copy URL          <\/span>\n        <\/button>\n        <input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"section-inner w-half w-mob-full centered-margin pad-tb-0 mob-mar-t-hlf mob-mar-b\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"cover-pub-line text-xs mar-b-hlf\">Published February 13, 2024 \u2022 6 Min Read<\/p>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner w-half w-mob-full\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<p>The energy we use to power our homes doesn&#8217;t just have an impact on our utility bills: It can also increase the environmental impact of where we live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When home energy is generated by burning fossil fuels, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere, which contribute towards global warming and climate change. Given that almost half of Canada&#8217;s housing was built <a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtleadership.rbc.com\/high-rise-low-carbon-canadas-40-billion-net-zero-building-challenge\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-5925d415\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"before 1980\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">before 1980<\/a> \u2014 a time when energy-efficiency wasn&#8217;t a top priority \u2014 many of our homes were built to a lower energy-efficiency standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a \u201cgreen home\u201d?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A \u201cgreen home\u201d is a residential building that achieves higher standards of energy-efficiency than a traditionally built home. It&#8217;s designed to release fewer greenhouse gases by being extremely well-insulated, using electric appliances, or being powered, at least in part, by renewable energy sources. New homes can be built to meet the standards of a green home, and older properties can be retrofitted with energy-efficient upgrades and technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does a green home cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the upfront costs of purchasing a brand new green home could cost more than a &#8220;non-green&#8221; equivalent, homeowners could see lower monthly costs. It\u2019s also possible qualify for specialized mortgage programs can offer extended amortization periods for green homes, and bills could be lower due to the building\u2019s efficient energy usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For green home renovations, homeowners could also expect to see reduced utility costs over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How do you know if a home is green?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure that a building meets low-emissions and energy-efficiency standards, third-party bodies can certify a home as \u201cgreen\u201d. In Canada, some of the eligible certifications include: ENERGY STAR for New Homes v. 17.1, LEED v.4 (Gold or Platinum), BUILT GREEN\u2019s Gold and Platinum, and CHBA\u2019s Net Zero and Net Zero Ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the features of a green home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several ways a home can achieve green status. In a green home, you might find some of the following features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Air sealing and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/7-ways-to-insulate-and-weatherproof-your-home-this-winter\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-2e2fb090\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"insulation\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">insulation<\/a>: <\/strong>High-performing windows are installed to reduce heat loss; walls, floors and ceilings are insulated beyond building codes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Heating and cooling: <\/strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/home-building-and-renovations\/can-a-heat-pump-save-you-money-and-reduce-your-emissions\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-543a35e0\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"heat pump\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">heat pump<\/a> heats and cools the home throughout the year.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Energy-efficient appliances: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/money-academy\/economics-101\/climate-change\/why-buy-energy-star-certified-appliances\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-358f3cb7\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"ENERGY STAR-certified appliances\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">ENERGY STAR-certified appliances<\/a> like washers and refrigerators are installed; lighting is LED.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Renewable energy generation: <\/strong>Solar panels that can generate zero-emissions electricity to assist in powering the home.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Water use: <\/strong>Efficient water metres and taps reduce usage; a rainwater harvesting system saves water.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Air quality: <\/strong>Filtration and ventilation systems improve indoor air quality and humidity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Non-toxic building materials: <\/strong>Recycled and non-toxic materials are used in the home\u2019s construction.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Low-emissions vehicle storage and charging:&nbsp;<\/strong>There\u2019s space for secure bicycle storage; electric vehicle charging stations are available.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p><strong>Climate resiliency measures:<\/strong> Fire-resistant exterior cladding and roofing minimizes wildfire damage; emergency battery-powered sump pump manages <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/home-building-and-renovations\/preventing-flooding-6-ways-to-prepare-and-protect-your-basement\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-60607eaf\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"heavy rain events and flooding\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">heavy rain events and flooding<\/a>; hurricane-resistant shutters and straps improves resiliency to wind damage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Retrofitting a house to make a green home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not only new homes that can achieve green status, either. Many features of a green home \u2014 from heat pumps to high performance windows, increased insulation and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/home-building-and-renovations\/whens-the-right-time-to-replace-my-home-appliances\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-f87348ef\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"energy-efficient appliances\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">energy-efficient appliances<\/a> \u2014 can be included in a home&#8217;s retrofit or renovation plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is possible to do a full renovation to meet the standards of a certified green home, but homeowners could also gradually retrofit their property to make it increasingly energy-efficient over time: Small, medium, or large home upgrades can make a difference by improving energy usage, savings on utility bills, and reducing carbon emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-grey-background-color has-background\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/home-building-and-renovations\/can-a-heat-pump-save-you-money-and-reduce-your-emissions\/\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-df0af0d8\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Can a heat pump save you money and reduce your emissions?\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Can a heat pump save you money and reduce your emissions?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New green homes and neighbourhoods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/thoughtleadership.rbc.com\/high-rise-low-carbon-canadas-40-billion-net-zero-building-challenge\/#diagram_2\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-159b51af\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"report from RBC\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">report from RBC<\/a> found that, by 2030, Canada will need to expand its housing supply by 40 percent to meet demand. That\u2019s about 5.8 million new homes. To build enough houses and continue on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, more new builds than ever will need to meet high energy-efficient standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Property developers across the country are building new green homes. In Calgary, Alberta, a project by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/natural-resources.canada.ca\/sites\/www.nrcan.gc.ca\/files\/energy\/pdf\/net-zero\/R-2000%20Net-Zero%20Energy%20Pilot%20Case%20Study%20-%20Mattamy%20Homes%20-%20Cityscape%20Community.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-fe8a0024\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Mattamy Homes\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Mattamy Homes<\/a>&nbsp;has seen the construction of 26 net-zero homes, or homes that qualify as being \u201cnet-zero ready\u201d. A net-zero ready home is designed to be highly energy-efficient \u2014 with features like better airtightness, windows, and insulation \u2014 so that if the homeowner decides to install a renewable energy system, such as solar panels, it\u2019s possible to offset the building\u2019s energy use over a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With energy-efficiency placed at the fore of every design aspect, new green homes consume about 55 percent less energy than comparable homes, and net-zero ready homes have been shown to use 40 percent less energy than homes built to meet standard codes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>To learn more about the benefits of energy-efficient homes and the RBC *Green Home Mortgage program: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/mortgages\/specialist-locator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-45c98dc3\" data-dig-label=\"Speak to an RBC Mortgage Specialist\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Speak to an RBC Mortgage Specialist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse834a1009\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse834a1009\" data-dig-id=\"LP-84884-834a1009\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"*Things our lawyers want you to know\"><span>*Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><span>*Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse834a1009\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p>This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RBC Green Home Mortgage is a loan secured against residential property, where the residential property meets a certain energy efficient standard. Only certain properties are eligible for the RBC Green Home Mortgage program.\u00a0RBC\u2019s standard lending criteria applies. RBC may in its sole and absolute discretion determine the energy efficient standards and criteria that apply. The residential home must have: (1) received, or expect to receive based on their design, construction and operation plans, certification according to third-party verified building standards, for example, but not limited to, ENERGY STAR for New Homes, LEED, Canadian Home Builders Association, BC Energy Step Code; or (2) achieved, based on a third-party assessment, GHG emissions performance in the top 15% of their city. The borrower will be required to provide evidence in a form and substance satisfactory to RBC that confirms the home meets the energy efficient standard RBC applies at the time of closing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tk-spacer id-2f15a89e-fc40-462b-a563-8f1a5294f29e\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center h5 mar-b\"><strong>Share This Article<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"socials-block\">\n\t\t\t    <div class=\"social-links mob-mar-b-hlf mob-mar-t-hlf\">\n            <a class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-custom sharing-email\" href=\"mailto:?subject=What is a Green Home and Can it Reduce Emissions? &#038;body=Hi, I thought you might be interested in this article from RBC My Money Matters: https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-email.svg\"\n          alt=\"envelope icon\">\n        <span>\n          Email        <\/span>\n      <\/a>\n      <div class=\"social-button-wrapper sharing-copy-wrapper\">\n        <button class=\"sharing-custom sharing-copy\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/plugins\/rbc-blocks\/assets\/img\/icons\/icon-related.svg\"\n            alt=\"copy icon\">\n          <span id=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n            Copy URL          <\/span>\n        <\/button>\n        <input type=\"text\" class=\"sharing-copy-text\" aria-labelledby=\"sharing-copyUrl-Label\">\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-tk-spacer id-75fc340a-4e3e-47f6-b574-317950af85ee\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-single-post-topics related-topics-links\">\n\t\t\t\t<p class=\"h5 mar-r-hlf\">Topics:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/home-ownership\/\" class=\"btn topic mar-t-0 mar-r-qtr mar-b-hlf\">Home Ownership<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/topic\/remodeling-your-home\/\" class=\"btn topic mar-t-0 mar-r-qtr mar-b-hlf\">Remodeling your Home<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-block  pos-rel mob-pad-t-dbl\" style=\"border-radius:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-section-inner-block  section-inner\" style=\"border-radius:0x\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading mar-b mob-mar-b-dbl mar-t-0\" id=\"h-read-this-next\">Read This Next<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\t<div 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emissions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":84886,"parent":57284,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[57,146],"rbc_content_type":[31],"rbc_audience":[],"rbc_lob_group":[58],"rbc_difficulty_level":[33],"rbc_mmm_category":[310,336,337,380,322,303,339,304,379],"class_list":["post-84884","rbc_my_money_matter","type-rbc_my_money_matter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-home-ownership","tag-remodeling-your-home","rbc_content_type-article","rbc_lob_group-mortgage","rbc_difficulty_level-beginner","rbc_mmm_category-buying-a-home","rbc_mmm_category-buying-your-first-home","rbc_mmm_category-buying-your-next-home","rbc_mmm_category-climate-change","rbc_mmm_category-economics-101","rbc_mmm_category-goals-aspirations","rbc_mmm_category-home-building-and-renovations","rbc_mmm_category-money-academy","rbc_mmm_category-understanding-interest-rates"],"acf":{"contently_publication_id":"314088","custom_author":"RBC","rbc_video_header":"","rbc_media_duration":"","rbc_toc_for_mmm_tag":"h2","rbc_toc_for_mmm_limit":6,"rbc_toc_for_mmm":null,"rbc_toc_for_mmm_action":"Generate Table Of Contents"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out how an energy-efficient &quot;green home&quot; could lower utility bills and reduce your home\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/goals-aspirations\/buying-a-home\/buying-your-next-home\/what-is-a-green-home-and-how-does-it-reduce-emissions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out how an energy-efficient &quot;green home&quot; could lower utility bills and reduce your home\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions.\" \/>\n<meta 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