Improve Energy Efficiency and Add Value to Your Home

A green home sells faster and for more money than homes without energy-efficient designations according to Freddie Mac research. It was found that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average compared to homes that did not.

You can invest in upgrades that will improve energy efficiency while adding value to your home. Here are a few examples of upgrades that will lower your energy bills and increase the value of your home.

Double-Pane Windows: When the heating and cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep a consistent indoor temperature, there will be an obvious decrease in energy costs. Upgrade to double-pane windows, regardless of the type, and you will see some pretty significant energy savings. Energy Star-rated windows help maintain a consistent temperature inside your home year-round. And when it’s time to sell, window upgrades are a value-added selling point with buyers.

Spray Foam Insulation: Installing new spray foam insulation in a home that was already insulated or in a more contemporary house will see a 10 to 15 percent reduction in its cooling and heating costs. Adding more insulation to the attic is “one of the easiest things homeowners can do to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Use Energy Star Appliances: Another easy way that homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency is to replace all appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models. These will save you 10% to 50% of the energy required, and much more if you are replacing an old appliance.

Energy Star is a government-backed program for identifying products and appliances that meet certain energy efficiency standards. It was established in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a way to promote products designed to use less energy and reduce recurring costs for consumers.

Upgrading your appliances is a way to increase value to your home and make it more appealing, as most buyers don’t want dated, unsanitary, malfunctioning appliances.

New Garage Door: A garage with poor energy efficiency can have a spillover effect on the rest of your home, particularly if the garage is attached to your home. Replacing your garage door will help your entire house stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Since a new door allows air conditioning and heating systems to work more effectively, it could reduce electricity waste and lower your energy bill.

The garage door is part of the curb appeal of your home – one of the first features buyers notice. An old, faded and damaged one can create a negative vision. Updating your garage door is one of the best home improvement return on investments.

The Bottom Line: A good realtor will know that a large part of selling your energy saving home will be to educate the buyer of all the benefits and values an energy efficient home brings. Your updated home will be a huge asset especially as the housing market evolves.

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Upgrades For Your Home That Will Save Money and Energy

Programmable Thermostats: Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the easiest ways to save energy, cut utility bills and to “green your home”. It’s suggested that you program and set your thermostat to 68 degrees in cold weather and 78 degrees in warm weather. Your HVAC system will only kick on when it reaches the designated temperatures in your house. You won’t have to think about adjusting the thermostat again; it does it all for you. The great news is that you can also expect to cut 3 to 5 percent off of your energy bill for every degree you set your thermostat below 68 in the winter and above 78 in the summer

Low-flow Plumbing Fixtures: Low-flow plumbing may not seem like a vital efficiency improvement. However, considering that homeowners use showers, faucets, and toilets multiple times every day, such an upgrade makes perfect sense.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts the savings into perspective: if every American switched to low-flow fixtures, the country would collectively save about $8 billion on water costs per year. Those considering a switch to low-flow models should also consider the cost of heating water.

Because hot water must be warmed by electricity or natural gas, this adds to the energy bill. Low-flow equipment, especially showerheads, can reduce these extra energy costs because they use less hot water.

ENERGY STAR Appliances: Energy Star is a government-backed program for identifying products and appliances that meet certain energy efficiency standards. It was established in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a way to promote products designed to use less energy and, hopefully, reduce costs for consumers.

By looking for the Energy Star label, you can ensure that the product you end up buying is more energy-efficient than most alternatives. This will save you money and help to lower your impact on the environment.

HVAC System Upgrades: If you are making frequent repairs on your HVAC system or enduring hot and cold spells in some of the rooms in your home, it’s probably time to replace the old inefficient system with an Energy Star-rated model. Expect to save about $200 per year on your utility bill, plus make your house far more comfortable.

You can also save money by dividing your heating and cooling system into multiple zones throughout your home. You’ll have to purchase more than one HVAC system, but in a larger home it makes sense, because you can control the temperatures of each zone individually, rather than from a single-point censor.

Landscaping:  New and appropriate landscaping can add to the energy efficiency of your home by providing shade in the summer months and insulation in the winter months. The EPA suggests planting trees that lose their leaves on the western and southern sides of your home to support this fact. In the summer, the trees will provide shade and block infrared radiation, keeping your house cooler. In the winter, when the trees lose their leaves, they will allow sunlight to reach the windows and warm your home. Planting native trees is best, because they will thrive in your city’s environment. Additionally, the plants and other landscaping can help support the environment and wildlife around your home. 

Tankless Water Heater: Before you take a shower do you wait awhile before the hot water comes out? All cold water went down the drain with your money. You’re also paying for your water heater to store, heat and reheat a supply of water in the tank. Enjoy instant hot water with a tankless water heater. Only the water that is needed as it passes through an electric coil is used. This eliminates excess energy costs and wasted energy associated with a tank, often saving a reported 50 percent on your energy bill 

The Bottom Line: Maintaining a home doesn’t have to be expensive. Since the recurring monthly costs aren’t fixed, there is a lot you can do to keep them down. These home improvement investments will upgrade your home, save you money and increase the value of your home.

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