HomeFirst Finance has now guided 500 homebuyers to build certified green homes in the self-build affordable housing space. Every single one of these homes follows five simple features \u2014 no complicated technology, no massive extra budget. Just five smart choices made during construction or renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This blog walks you through all five. It also explains the two layers of savings you unlock \u2014 one that shows up on your monthly bills, and one that shows up directly in your bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Two Savings Nobody Tells You About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBefore we get into the upgrades, let us understand why they matter financially \u2014 not just environmentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saving Layer 1: Lower Monthly Utility Bills<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA green home is 20% carbon footprint efficient<\/strong> uses 20% less<\/strong> electricity<\/strong><\/a> and 20% less water<\/strong> than a conventional home. Therefore, every month your bills are lower. This is not a one-time benefit. It compounds over 5, 10, 20 years of living in your home. For a typical Indian household, the combined savings on electricity and water can run into thousands of rupees every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaving Layer 2: Green Cashback from HomeFirst<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHere is the one most people do not know about. If you take a home loan from HomeFirst and build an EDGE certified green home, you become eligible for a green cashback \u2014 2.4% of your loan amount gets credited directly into your bank account.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is actual money, deposited to you. For example, on a \u20b925 lakh loan<\/strong>, you get 2.4% Green Cashback<\/strong> i.e \u20b960,000<\/strong> that is a significant lump sum. On top of this, if you are income-eligible under PMAY(U)- 2.0 ISS<\/strong><\/a>, you also get an additional \u20b91.8 Lacs<\/strong> subsidy. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTwo subsidy benefits for a single Home Loan. And life long savings on utility bills. That is what a HomeFirst green home does for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, let us look at the five upgrades that make all of this possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 1: Non-Red Bricks \u2014 The Foundation of a Greener Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMost Indian homes are built with red bricks. They are everywhere, and for a long time, no one questioned them. However, the problem is real \u2014 manufacturing red bricks involves burning clay at high temperatures, which releases significant carbon emissions. Additionally, good agricultural topsoil is excavated to make them, which damages the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Non-red bricks \u2014 fly ash bricks, AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks, or compressed earth blocks \u2014 solve both problems at scale. In fact most of the commercial construction in India has moved to Non Red Bricks! <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Non-Red Bricks Make Sense<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nFly ash bricks are made from industrial waste (fly ash from thermal power plants). Therefore, using them actually recycles waste that would otherwise sit in landfills. AAC blocks are lighter, which means faster construction and less load on the structure. Compressed earth blocks use locally available soil with minimal processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the environmental benefit, non-red bricks also have practical advantages. AAC blocks, for instance, have better thermal insulation than red bricks. As a result, your home stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter \u2014 which means less AC usage and lower bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost difference between red bricks and fly ash bricks is minimal. In many markets, fly ash bricks are actually cheaper because they are a byproduct of existing industrial processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This upgrade does not cost extra. It just requires asking your contractor for the right material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 2: Aerators and Low-Flow Showerheads \u2014 Save Water Without Even Noticing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHere is a question. If you could cut your home’s water consumption by nearly half \u2014 without changing how you bathe, cook, or clean \u2014 would you? Of course you would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is exactly what tap aerators and low-flow showerheads do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Aerators Work <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA tap aerator<\/a> is a small mesh device that screws onto your existing tap in about two minutes. It mixes air into the water stream, so the flow feels the same but the actual volume of water used drops from 8\u201312 litres per minute to around 2\u20134 litres per minute. No plumber needed. No change to your tap fitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA low-flow showerhead works on the same principle. A standard showerhead uses 10\u201315 litres per minute. A low-flow version brings that to 5\u20138 litres per minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What the Numbers Look Like<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nFor a family of four showering daily and using taps throughout the day, these two upgrades together can save 80,000\u20131,00,000 litres of water a year. In cities where water charges are rising \u2014 Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad \u2014 that is real money saved every month, month after month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The total cost of aerators for an entire home is typically under \u20b91,500. Low-flow showerheads cost \u20b9600\u2013\u20b92,500. The payback period is measured in weeks, not years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, less water heated means your geyser runs less, which further reduces your electricity bill. So this upgrade saves both water and electricity at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 3: 5-Star Rated Fans \u2014 The Easiest Electricity Saving in Your Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIndian summers are getting hotter every year\u2026 Ceiling fans run 24×7 in most Indian homes for through most of the year. However, most people never think about how much electricity their fan actually consumes. They should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A standard old ceiling fan with an induction motor consumes 70\u201375 watts. A BEE 5-star rated or BLDC (Brushless DC) fan consumes 25\u201335 watts. That is a saving of roughly 40\u201350 watts per fan, per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let the Numbers Do the Talking<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nTake a home with five ceiling fans. Each runs 8 hours a day, 300 days a year. Switching all five from standard to BLDC fans saves approximately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- 40W saved \u00d7 8 hrs \u00d7 300 days \u00d7 5 fans = 480 units of electricity per year<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- At \u20b97 per unit, that is \u20b93,360 saved every year<\/strong>, just from fans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Most BLDC fans are priced between \u20b91,800 and \u20b93,000. Therefore, the fans pay for themselves within two years. After that, it is pure saving \u2014 for the next 10\u201315 years of the fan’s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brands like Atomberg<\/a>, Orient, Havells, and Crompton all offer good 5-star BLDC options. Since January 2023, BEE star labelling for ceiling fans is mandatory in India \u2014 so look for the 5-star label before you buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, BLDC fans are quieter, have better speed control, and often come with remote or app controls. So you get a better product and a lower bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 4: Window Sunshades of 1.5 Feet \u2014 The Upgrade Builders Always Skip<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWalk past any old Indian home built before the 1990s and look up. You will notice something that modern builders have quietly stopped including \u2014 wide, overhanging window sunshades. Chajjas, as they are called locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a reason traditional architecture included them. They work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why 1.5 Feet Matters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA window sunshade of at least 1.5 feet blocks direct sunlight from entering your rooms during the hottest parts of the day \u2014 particularly in the afternoon when the sun is at its harshest angle. Because direct sunlight does not hit your floor and walls, your indoor temperature stays significantly lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The result is that your fan or AC does not have to work as hard. Rooms feel cooler naturally. And your electricity bill reflects that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This upgrade is most effective on west-facing and south-facing windows, where afternoon sun hits hardest. However, adding sunshades on all windows makes a noticeable difference to your home’s overall thermal comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost is minimal when built during construction \u2014 it is essentially an extension of your RCC slab. Retrofitting is possible but more expensive. Therefore, if you are building now, include 1.5-foot sunshades from the start. It is one of those decisions you will thank yourself for every single summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, sunshades also double as rain protection. They keep rainwater from entering through open windows during monsoon \u2014 which means less water damage and less maintenance over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 5: <\/strong>Double Coat of White Roof Paint<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 The Simplest Cooling System You Have Never Tried<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour roof is the single largest surface exposed to the sun in your home. On a peak summer afternoon in most Indian cities, a dark or unpainted concrete terrace can reach 60\u201365\u00b0C. That heat pushes straight into your top-floor rooms. Your AC or fan fights it all day. Your electricity bill shows it at the end of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A double coat of white cool roof paint changes this entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What White Roof Paint Actually Does<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhite cool roof coatings reflect a large portion of solar radiation instead of absorbing it. Research on cool roofs across Indian climatic zones shows that the average energy saving on cooling costs ranges from 10\u201320%, and indoor temperatures drop by around 3\u20135\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a home running a ceiling fan or a 1-ton AC, that temperature drop is genuinely noticeable. Rooms stay cooler from the morning, allowing fans to operate at lower speeds. As a result, the AC reaches the desired temperature faster and cycles off sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The coating also typically doubles as waterproofing \u2014 so you save on monsoon repairs too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What It Costs and When It Pays Back<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nA double coat of cool roof paint on a 1,000 sq ft terrace costs approximately \u20b910,000\u2013\u20b920,000 depending on the brand and product. Most good quality coatings last 5\u20137 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your electricity bill falls by even \u20b92,500\u2013\u20b94,000 a summer as a result, this upgrade pays for itself within three to five years. After that, every summer is pure saving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the upgrade that surprises people the most. It looks like paint. It feels like paint. But it performs like a passive cooling system that runs without any electricity, every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https:\/\/homefirstindia.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1.png\" "\\"What")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow a Green Home Loan Helps You Fund These Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHere is the thing about these five upgrades. Individually, most of them are affordable. The bigger investments \u2014 non-red bricks, sunshades, and cool roof paint \u2014 are best built into your construction budget from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if you are taking a home loan to build your house anyway, you are already in the right position to fund all of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HomeFirst Finance offers a home loan product specifically for green home builders. The process is simple: build your home with these green features, get your EDGE<\/strong><\/a> green home certification, and HomeFirst deposits the 2.4% green cashback directly into your bank account.<\/strong> It is not a rate adjustment on paper. It is real money, transferred to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOn a \u20b920 lakh loan, that cashback is a significant amount. Additionally, if you are income-eligible under PMAY-U 2.0, you also receive the government’s interest subsidy of up to \u20b91.8 lakhs separately. Both benefits can work together for the same loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The green home product for individual self built home are not available with most hfc and traditional bank. HomeFirst is one of the very few \u2014 and their customers in the affordable housing segment are exactly the people who benefit most from every rupee saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explore HomeFirst’s home loan options here<\/a> and read more about why going green is also a financial decision<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYour Green Home Checklist Before You Begin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you are planning to build or renovate and want to qualify for green certification and the HomeFirst cashback, here is what to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Use non-red bricks (fly ash, AAC blocks, or compressed earth)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Install tap aerators, low-flow showerhead and dual flush in toilet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fit 5-star or BLDC fans in every room<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Build 1.5-foot window sunshades on all windows<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apply a double coat of white cool roof paint on your terrace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
These five features are exactly what the EDGE Green Homes certification<\/a> evaluates for individual residential homes. And they are also what HomeFirst’s green home loan is built around. If you want to understand what a green home means more broadly before you start, this beginner’s guide<\/a> is a good read.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nQ: What is the green cashback from HomeFirst and how do I get it?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce your home is built with the five green features and gets EDGE green home certification, HomeFirst deposits the 2.4% subsidy amount directly into your bank account. It is not a paper adjustment \u2014 it is actual money transferred to you. Your HomeFirst loan executive can walk you through the process from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: Do I need to do all five upgrades to qualify for the green cashback?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe green home certification from EDGE is based on meeting a minimum points threshold across multiple green features. Having all five of these \u2014 non-red bricks, aerators, 5-star fans, sunshades, and white roof paint \u2014 puts you in a strong position to qualify. Speak with HomeFirst before you begin construction so they can guide you on exactly what is required for your home type and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: Can I get both the PMAY subsidy and HomeFirst’s green cashback on the same loan?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nYes, if you are income-eligible under PMAY-U 2.0 (EWS, LIG, or MIG category) and you also build a certified green home through HomeFirst, both benefits apply. The PMAY interest subsidy comes from the Government of India based on your income. The green cashback comes from HomeFirst based on your home’s green certification. They are independent of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A green home is 20% carbon footprint efficient<\/strong> uses 20% less<\/strong> electricity<\/strong><\/a> and 20% less water<\/strong> than a conventional home. Therefore, every month your bills are lower. This is not a one-time benefit. It compounds over 5, 10, 20 years of living in your home. For a typical Indian household, the combined savings on electricity and water can run into thousands of rupees every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the one most people do not know about. If you take a home loan from HomeFirst and build an EDGE certified green home, you become eligible for a green cashback \u2014 2.4% of your loan amount gets credited directly into your bank account.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is actual money, deposited to you. For example, on a \u20b925 lakh loan<\/strong>, you get 2.4% Green Cashback<\/strong> i.e \u20b960,000<\/strong> that is a significant lump sum. On top of this, if you are income-eligible under PMAY(U)- 2.0 ISS<\/strong><\/a>, you also get an additional \u20b91.8 Lacs<\/strong> subsidy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two subsidy benefits for a single Home Loan. And life long savings on utility bills. That is what a HomeFirst green home does for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let us look at the five upgrades that make all of this possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most Indian homes are built with red bricks. They are everywhere, and for a long time, no one questioned them. However, the problem is real \u2014 manufacturing red bricks involves burning clay at high temperatures, which releases significant carbon emissions. Additionally, good agricultural topsoil is excavated to make them, which damages the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-red bricks \u2014 fly ash bricks, AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks, or compressed earth blocks \u2014 solve both problems at scale. In fact most of the commercial construction in India has moved to Non Red Bricks! <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fly ash bricks are made from industrial waste (fly ash from thermal power plants). Therefore, using them actually recycles waste that would otherwise sit in landfills. AAC blocks are lighter, which means faster construction and less load on the structure. Compressed earth blocks use locally available soil with minimal processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond the environmental benefit, non-red bricks also have practical advantages. AAC blocks, for instance, have better thermal insulation than red bricks. As a result, your home stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter \u2014 which means less AC usage and lower bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost difference between red bricks and fly ash bricks is minimal. In many markets, fly ash bricks are actually cheaper because they are a byproduct of existing industrial processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This upgrade does not cost extra. It just requires asking your contractor for the right material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a question. If you could cut your home’s water consumption by nearly half \u2014 without changing how you bathe, cook, or clean \u2014 would you? Of course you would.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is exactly what tap aerators and low-flow showerheads do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A tap aerator<\/a> is a small mesh device that screws onto your existing tap in about two minutes. It mixes air into the water stream, so the flow feels the same but the actual volume of water used drops from 8\u201312 litres per minute to around 2\u20134 litres per minute. No plumber needed. No change to your tap fitting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A low-flow showerhead works on the same principle. A standard showerhead uses 10\u201315 litres per minute. A low-flow version brings that to 5\u20138 litres per minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a family of four showering daily and using taps throughout the day, these two upgrades together can save 80,000\u20131,00,000 litres of water a year. In cities where water charges are rising \u2014 Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad \u2014 that is real money saved every month, month after month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The total cost of aerators for an entire home is typically under \u20b91,500. Low-flow showerheads cost \u20b9600\u2013\u20b92,500. The payback period is measured in weeks, not years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, less water heated means your geyser runs less, which further reduces your electricity bill. So this upgrade saves both water and electricity at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indian summers are getting hotter every year\u2026 Ceiling fans run 24×7 in most Indian homes for through most of the year. However, most people never think about how much electricity their fan actually consumes. They should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A standard old ceiling fan with an induction motor consumes 70\u201375 watts. A BEE 5-star rated or BLDC (Brushless DC) fan consumes 25\u201335 watts. That is a saving of roughly 40\u201350 watts per fan, per hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a home with five ceiling fans. Each runs 8 hours a day, 300 days a year. Switching all five from standard to BLDC fans saves approximately:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most BLDC fans are priced between \u20b91,800 and \u20b93,000. Therefore, the fans pay for themselves within two years. After that, it is pure saving \u2014 for the next 10\u201315 years of the fan’s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brands like Atomberg<\/a>, Orient, Havells, and Crompton all offer good 5-star BLDC options. Since January 2023, BEE star labelling for ceiling fans is mandatory in India \u2014 so look for the 5-star label before you buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, BLDC fans are quieter, have better speed control, and often come with remote or app controls. So you get a better product and a lower bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Walk past any old Indian home built before the 1990s and look up. You will notice something that modern builders have quietly stopped including \u2014 wide, overhanging window sunshades. Chajjas, as they are called locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a reason traditional architecture included them. They work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A window sunshade of at least 1.5 feet blocks direct sunlight from entering your rooms during the hottest parts of the day \u2014 particularly in the afternoon when the sun is at its harshest angle. Because direct sunlight does not hit your floor and walls, your indoor temperature stays significantly lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The result is that your fan or AC does not have to work as hard. Rooms feel cooler naturally. And your electricity bill reflects that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This upgrade is most effective on west-facing and south-facing windows, where afternoon sun hits hardest. However, adding sunshades on all windows makes a noticeable difference to your home’s overall thermal comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost is minimal when built during construction \u2014 it is essentially an extension of your RCC slab. Retrofitting is possible but more expensive. Therefore, if you are building now, include 1.5-foot sunshades from the start. It is one of those decisions you will thank yourself for every single summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, sunshades also double as rain protection. They keep rainwater from entering through open windows during monsoon \u2014 which means less water damage and less maintenance over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your roof is the single largest surface exposed to the sun in your home. On a peak summer afternoon in most Indian cities, a dark or unpainted concrete terrace can reach 60\u201365\u00b0C. That heat pushes straight into your top-floor rooms. Your AC or fan fights it all day. Your electricity bill shows it at the end of the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A double coat of white cool roof paint changes this entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n White cool roof coatings reflect a large portion of solar radiation instead of absorbing it. Research on cool roofs across Indian climatic zones shows that the average energy saving on cooling costs ranges from 10\u201320%, and indoor temperatures drop by around 3\u20135\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a home running a ceiling fan or a 1-ton AC, that temperature drop is genuinely noticeable. Rooms stay cooler from the morning, allowing fans to operate at lower speeds. As a result, the AC reaches the desired temperature faster and cycles off sooner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The coating also typically doubles as waterproofing \u2014 so you save on monsoon repairs too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A double coat of cool roof paint on a 1,000 sq ft terrace costs approximately \u20b910,000\u2013\u20b920,000 depending on the brand and product. Most good quality coatings last 5\u20137 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your electricity bill falls by even \u20b92,500\u2013\u20b94,000 a summer as a result, this upgrade pays for itself within three to five years. After that, every summer is pure saving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the upgrade that surprises people the most. It looks like paint. It feels like paint. But it performs like a passive cooling system that runs without any electricity, every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is the thing about these five upgrades. Individually, most of them are affordable. The bigger investments \u2014 non-red bricks, sunshades, and cool roof paint \u2014 are best built into your construction budget from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you are taking a home loan to build your house anyway, you are already in the right position to fund all of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HomeFirst Finance offers a home loan product specifically for green home builders. The process is simple: build your home with these green features, get your EDGE<\/strong><\/a> green home certification, and HomeFirst deposits the 2.4% green cashback directly into your bank account.<\/strong> It is not a rate adjustment on paper. It is real money, transferred to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a \u20b920 lakh loan, that cashback is a significant amount. Additionally, if you are income-eligible under PMAY-U 2.0, you also receive the government’s interest subsidy of up to \u20b91.8 lakhs separately. Both benefits can work together for the same loan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The green home product for individual self built home are not available with most hfc and traditional bank. HomeFirst is one of the very few \u2014 and their customers in the affordable housing segment are exactly the people who benefit most from every rupee saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explore HomeFirst’s home loan options here<\/a> and read more about why going green is also a financial decision<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are planning to build or renovate and want to qualify for green certification and the HomeFirst cashback, here is what to keep in mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These five features are exactly what the EDGE Green Homes certification<\/a> evaluates for individual residential homes. And they are also what HomeFirst’s green home loan is built around. If you want to understand what a green home means more broadly before you start, this beginner’s guide<\/a> is a good read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: What is the green cashback from HomeFirst and how do I get it?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your home is built with the five green features and gets EDGE green home certification, HomeFirst deposits the 2.4% subsidy amount directly into your bank account. It is not a paper adjustment \u2014 it is actual money transferred to you. Your HomeFirst loan executive can walk you through the process from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: Do I need to do all five upgrades to qualify for the green cashback?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The green home certification from EDGE is based on meeting a minimum points threshold across multiple green features. Having all five of these \u2014 non-red bricks, aerators, 5-star fans, sunshades, and white roof paint \u2014 puts you in a strong position to qualify. Speak with HomeFirst before you begin construction so they can guide you on exactly what is required for your home type and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q: Can I get both the PMAY subsidy and HomeFirst’s green cashback on the same loan?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, if you are income-eligible under PMAY-U 2.0 (EWS, LIG, or MIG category) and you also build a certified green home through HomeFirst, both benefits apply. The PMAY interest subsidy comes from the Government of India based on your income. The green cashback comes from HomeFirst based on your home’s green certification. They are independent of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSaving Layer 2: Green Cashback from HomeFirst<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 1: Non-Red Bricks \u2014 The Foundation of a Greener Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why Non-Red Bricks Make Sense<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 2: Aerators and Low-Flow Showerheads \u2014 Save Water Without Even Noticing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Aerators Work <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What the Numbers Look Like<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 3: 5-Star Rated Fans \u2014 The Easiest Electricity Saving in Your Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let the Numbers Do the Talking<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Upgrade 4: Window Sunshades of 1.5 Feet \u2014 The Upgrade Builders Always Skip<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why 1.5 Feet Matters<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Upgrade 5: <\/strong>Double Coat of White Roof Paint<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 The Simplest Cooling System You Have Never Tried<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What White Roof Paint Actually Does<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What It Costs and When It Pays Back<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow a Green Home Loan Helps You Fund These Upgrades<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your Green Home Checklist Before You Begin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
More FAQs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n