Vancouver, Canada (GLOBE-Net) - The majority of Canadians are environmentally conscious when purchasing a new home or renovating their existing home, according to the second annual TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll.

The biggest incentive for those Canadians willing to spend more on environmentally friendly features is the potential saving on future energy bills according to the Poll.

“Despite a slowing economy, two-thirds of Canadians are willing to pay more for a home that includes green features,” says Joan Dal Bianco, Vice President, Real Estate Secured Lending, TD Canada Trust. “This number is down only slightly from 2007, which shows that even when times are a bit tougher, the environment is still important to Canadians.”

Fifty-six per cent of Canadians are willing to spend 5 to 10 percent more on a home that includes environmentally friendly features. Although improving the state of the environment is an important factor, Canadians say that what matters most when renovating a home is its resale value, followed by saving money in the future.

“With the national average home price at more than $300,000, the fact that some Canadians are willing to spend 5 to 10 percent more on a home with green features is an indication that people are committed to environmental responsibility, especially energy savings down the road,” says Dal Bianco.

Ninety percent of Canadians have made environmentally-friendly improvements to their homes or will be making them in the next 12 months. The top improvement is replacing regular light bulbs with CFL light bulbs, followed by applying weather-stripping and caulking to stopping drafts and replacing or upgrading windows. Seventy-six per cent have made or plan to make three or more improvements this year. Older Canadians – those 55 and above – are taking the most action when it comes to environmentally friendly improvements.

The TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll found that nearly all Canadians think the government should create initiatives to make residential construction greener. In fact, 91 percent of Canadians agree with environmentally friendly change being brought into building codes for new buildings and 80 percent agree with building code changes for renovations.

Canadians are less likely to agree with government initiatives if they directly have to pay for them. Seventy-three per cent of Canadians disagree with a carbon tax for “non-green” homes. Seventy-one percent, versus 67 percent nationally, would consider an environmental assessment prior to finalizing their renovation plans. Of those willing to consider an environmental assessment, 56 percent would pay under $400 for the assessment while one-third would like it to be free.

Not surprisingly, environmental friendliness in and out of the home is key for a majority of Canadians. Results from another poll conducted in May 2008, ‘How Green Are You?’ by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, revealed that Canadians take their environmental commitment seriously. According to the poll, 95 percent of Canadians report that they recycle, with 39 percent of respondents stating that they recycle everything – versus 43 percent nationally.

The TD Canada Trust Green Home Poll surveyed adult Canadians from across the country, to explore the relationship between the environment and home purchase or home renovations. The survey was conducted by Angus Reid Strategies on July 31, 2008 with English and French speaking Canadians 18+, using the Angus Reid Custom Express. The sample size includes 1,000 men and women.