Energy-efficient homes have grown increasingly popular as more buyers recognize the lower operating costs and environmental impact associated with them. Furthermore, these houses offer comfort, durability, and aesthetic appeal – qualities buyers value highly in a home purchase decision.
Homeowners in energy efficient houses enjoy lower bills that save them money and often come with rebates on green improvements – something which pays for itself over time!
1. Reduced Utility Bills
Energy-efficient home features can do more than help the environment: they also benefit your wallet! By being well insulated and designed to reduce energy use, energy-efficient homes help lower utility bills.
Because energy efficient homes provide increased comfort during power outages and use less energy to maintain consistent temperature, if you’re considering purchasing one it would be advisable to consult a professional home inspector as early as possible in the purchasing process to assess how efficient it really is.
If you live in an older home, make changes that will reduce energy usage by installing longer-lasting LED light bulbs, sealing air leaks and upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances. Even small changes like these can make an enormous difference on energy usage while saving money and contributing towards reducing carbon footprints.
2. Increased Comfort
Energy-efficient homes are designed to provide comfort all year round, so you won’t have to worry about high temperatures or freezing cold air. Their insulation and sealing helps regulate interior temperatures naturally and maintain an even temperature across the home without hot or cold spots!
Homeowners’ increased concern for the environment and desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are some of the driving factors behind their decisions to upgrade to energy-efficient homes, by using cutting edge building materials and systems. Energy efficient upgrades help create a greener world.
So much so, in fact, that homebuyers increasingly prioritize energy efficiency when searching for their ideal property – meaning if you decide to sell in the future, energy-efficient homes could help you reach your asking price more easily! Furthermore, energy-efficient homes also feature excellent ventilation which can help alleviate asthma symptoms as well as avoid respiratory illnesses caused by mold and mildew growth in your home environment. Furthermore, reduced air infiltration allows more privacy and peace and quiet within your home environment since outside noise won’t penetrate as easily.
3. Increased Resale Value
Energy-efficient features, such as insulated walls and windows and efficient HVAC systems, offer tenants and buyers several benefits, including reduced utility bills. Furthermore, energy-efficient homes tend to provide greater tenant comfort levels which lead to higher tenant satisfaction and longer lease renewal periods.
Real estate developers and builders often use sustainable features as marketing opportunities in today’s climate of environmentally conscious consumers driving the market. Homes featuring energy efficient features may even command an additional premium over comparable properties in the marketplace.
To enhance the resale value of your real estate investments, invest in green features like insulation, ENERGY STAR appliances, solar panels and LED lighting. Make sure your real estate professionals recognize these features’ unique advantages and highlight their long-term cost-cutting potential in listing descriptions and marketing collateral (e.g. brochures/flyers). Also take advantage of government incentives like Freddie Mac GreenCHOICE Mortgages(r) to help offset some of the costs of upgrading energy-efficient features in your property.
4. Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Energy efficiency upgrades and green features help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into the environment. Such measures range from installing a programmable thermostat to sealing and insulating heating and cooling ducts, with many local jurisdictions also offering financial incentives to homeowners who undertake energy retrofitting projects in their home.
Newly built homes that incorporate energy-efficient construction techniques, appliances, lighting and systems significantly decrease household energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Not only can such homes use advanced framing methods that use less lumber, they may even feature roofs which accommodate solar water heating systems and electricity generation systems.
Existing homes can also become more efficient by improving insulation and air sealing, replacing single-pane windows with double-pane ones, reducing air-conditioning units by one, and installing programmable thermostats. Home size also plays a factor here – larger houses require more materials for construction as well as energy to heat or cool them effectively.
