Maybe you’ve already invested in environmentally-friendly products to protect the health of the planet. But did you know going green can also have a direct impact on the value of your home? According to the results of a 2016 study from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), homebuyers of all ages want eco-friendly upgrades in their homes. In fact, three of the survey’s top five most-wanted features were related to energy efficiency.
There are a number of eco-friendly updates that can help improve your home’s value, and they’re more affordable than you might think.
1. Smart Thermostats
Adding an upgraded thermostat can make any home appear and feel newer, smarter, and more tech-savvy. Smart thermostats are more intelligent because they interact directly with your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to regulate the temperature. After about a week of use, the system learns to adapt to the home occupants’ behaviors and patterns, and over time, it helps minimize energy use.
2. New Windows
Older homes often have poorly-insulated windows. Just replacing or upgrading leaky windows means your home will lose less energy and begin to maintain a more comfortable and consistent temperature. In fact, according to the United States Department of Energy, swapping in Energy Star-rated high-efficiency windows can lower your home’s annual energy bill by as much as 12 percent, which alone makes your home highly marketable to potential buyers.
Of course, replacing your windows isn’t exactly cheap, so consider whether the return on your investment is worth it. An annual report by Remodeling Magazine suggests you can recoup about 74 percent of your investment (the national average cost being between $15,000 and $18,000 for replacement). You may be able to save even more though. Do your research before making any purchases.
3. Energy Star-rated Appliances
According to that NAHB survey, homebuyers of all ages want Energy Star-rated appliances, ranking them first or second on their lists of most-wanted home features. Energy Star is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) voluntary program that helps individuals and businesses save money and protect the planet through the use of energy-efficient products and buildings. Since there are actually two costs when it comes to appliances (the purchase price and the cost of operation), investing in new Energy Star-certified appliances (like washers, and dryers, refrigerators and freezers, air cleaners, and dehumidifiers) will appeal to buyers. They help save money in the long run, since the appliances will lower their costs of using the products over time.
4. Upgraded Insulation
If your home’s insulation is old or doesn’t have the proper R-Value (the higher the R-value, the greater the effectiveness), it could mean cold and heated air are flowing in and out of your attic, leading to higher energy bills. But investing in new, proper R-value-rated insulation can be very attractive to buyers since the reduced need for heating and air conditioning will lower their overall energy costs.
And it’s a great investment. To seal a 35×30-foot attic floor and add fiberglass loose fill insulation, you can expect to spend about $1,300. But the project has an estimated value of $1,400, resulting in return of about 108 percent, or an 8 percent premium.
5. Tankless Water Heater
Replacing an old water heater is generally considered a good idea since most models are guaranteed to last only about 10 years. But potential buyers consider a tankless water heater as an added bonus because it only heats water when needed, unlike other models that eat up unnecessary energy to store gallons of hot water. According to Energy Star, a tankless water heater costs a bit more upfront, but it can save homeowners up to $95 a year or $1,800 over its lifetime, which is twice as long as traditional gas water heaters.
6. Shade Trees/Landscape
Planting trees isn’t just a great way to boost your home’s curb appeal. It also happens to be something real estate agents says is the primary thing that attracts potential buyers. But landscaping can also provide extra shade that can help keep your home cool during hot summer weather and potentially cut down on air conditioning use. And you don’t have to add a forest. Just five shade trees should do the trick.
7. Solar Panels
If you want to go full-on eco-friendly, solar panels are the way to go. They’re proven to increase your home’s value. According to a study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, which analyzed the sales of more 20,000 homes, researchers found added value in homes with solar panels across several states.
Whether you dive in fully with solar panels or simply update your home with a smart thermostat, a few eco-friendly upgrades are sure to improve the value of your home and help you save on future energy costs.
