Achieving an energy-efficient living space can have many benefits, from cost savings to contributing to a greener environment. Read on to learn more about these benefits and how you can make your home more sustainable.
Energy efficiency upgrades reduce energy consumption and help lower utility bills. This makes them a smart choice for homeowners.
Energy Savings
Energy-efficient homes and buildings use less energy, resulting in reduced energy costs. Savings are realized through smart technologies, sustainable insulation, efficient appliances and lighting, low-flow plumbing and rapid recovery water heaters. Energy-efficient homes also use more natural lighting, which enhances mood, boosts productivity and promotes healthier sleep patterns.
An energy-efficient home also contributes to a more sustainable future, with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of non-renewable resources. Landscaping can further aid in the energy efficiency of your home, by reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling and minimizing the impact of wind on your house’s temperature. This can be accomplished through a well designed landscape, such as utilizing trees to block wind and sunlight, or by establishing a buffer between the house and the surrounding environment.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
When you reduce your carbon footprint at home, you’re helping to protect, sustain, and repair the environment. This includes using less energy, using recycled materials when you can, and supporting local tree-planting efforts.
Energy efficiency measures, like insulation and weatherstripping, eradicate draughts, allowing you to live in a comfortable temperature all year round without excessive energy usage. This minimizes your environmental impact, and it also allows you to invest the saved energy elsewhere in the house.
While the use of renewable energy sources would be the ultimate eco-friendly solution, this may not be an immediate option for some homeowners. Until these are more widely available, energy efficient homes can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by limiting fossil fuel consumption and increasing energy efficiency. Today’s consumers are more environmentally conscious than ever, and future home buyers are likely to value your property higher if you have made it eco-friendly.
Comfortable Indoor Environment
Comfortable indoor environmental conditions can be achieved through the use of energy efficient technologies. These include mini-splits, ductless heat pumps, radiant floor heating and air conditioning systems, and energy efficient windows. Energy efficiency measures have been shown to be associated with self-reported
comfort. However, occupants of low-income homes have difficulty achieving energy savings and comfort goals due to lack of training on the installation and maintenance of new technology. Self-reported thermal comfort was measured using a questionnaire that asked participants to indicate how often their home is too hot, cold, drafty, damp, stuffy, or humid. Acceptable thermal conditions were defined according to ASHRAE standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Occupancy.
Increased Home Value
In addition to the energy savings and reduced carbon footprint, eco-friendly upgrades can boost your home’s resale value. Home buyers are increasingly interested in sustainability and energy efficiency, especially as rising utility costs drive awareness. As a result, homes with green features sell faster and for higher prices.
Energy-efficient lighting and appliances, programmable thermostats, solar panels, and high insulation levels are all desirable home features for many buyers. Additionally, homeowners can enjoy a healthier indoor environment with advanced ventilation systems and low-maintenance materials that reduce allergens and pollutants in the air. Home warranties can help homeowners reduce spending costs on repairs on their HVAC, plumbing, kitchen appliances, etc. What are home warranties? Home warranties are service contracts that cover repairs or replacements of household systems and appliances. They are designed to help offset the cost of unexpected repair bills and provide peace of mind for homeowners.
In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2023 REALTORS and Sustainability Report – Residential, 63 percent of real estate agents reported that green features help homes sell faster and for more money. And, as the Inflation Reduction Act of 2023 offers financial incentives like rebates for energy-efficient home improvements, buying green is an affordable way to increase your home’s value.
