Eco-friendly, going green, and being environmentally conscious are all terms that mean you’re doing your part to help the environment. Right now, it’s a growing trend. You can incorporate sustainable practices into your home improvements to do your share. Not only are you contributing positively to the world, but you can also increase your home’s value and attract potential buyers.
Solar Panels
Solar panels typically consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb sunlight and generate direct current electricity (DC). An inverter will then convert that current into usable alternating current (AC). You can use the energy to power your appliances and electronic devices. What’s left will return to the grid, or the system will store it in batteries for later use.
By harnessing the sun’s energy, you can save money on your energy bills. On average, homeowners have an electricity bill of under $40 per month. Over time, you’ll see energy savings that surpass the amount you spent on the panels and installation.
For a buyer, these savings are quite appealing. As a result, you’ll increase your home’s value with solar panels. Keep in mind that how much it increases your home’s value depends on the type you have installed. Monocrystalline panels, for instance, will increase your home’s value the most, but they’re more expensive.
Thin-film solar panels tend to be the least expensive, but they save less energy than monocrystalline panels. These add the least amount to your home’s value.
Energy-Efficient Windows
Single-pane windows let outside air in and inside air out. Ultimately, this means your home needs to use more energy to keep it at a comfortable temperature.
If you install energy-efficient windows, less air can enter or escape. Your home will then remain a pleasant temperature without needing to run the AC or heat as much.
Because this can save a homeowner money, installing these windows will boost your home’s value. How much it’ll raise depends on the type of windows you have installed. Energy-efficient windows have multiple layers of glass with a gap between each piece. These layers reduce heat transfer.
Eco-friendly windows often have a low-emissivity (low-e) coating that reflects heat. In the winter, it keeps the warm air inside. On the other hand, in the summer, it keeps the hot air on the outside.
As you’re looking for windows, compare by the U-value. It’s a number that determines how well a window insulates. In this case, lower values are better. You’ll notice that a double-pane window will have a value between 0.3 and 0.5, while a triple-pane window will have a reading ranging from 0.2 to 0.3.
Smart Thermostats
Traditional thermostats let you change your home’s temperature, but you have to be there to do so. Smart thermostats, however, allow you to program temperature changes throughout the day, reducing energy use. For instance, you can set your thermostat to decrease the temperature when you’re not home in winter and raise it right before you and your family will be home.
Some thermostats provide you with the option to connect your thermostat to your phone. You can then change the temperature of your home from wherever you are. Let’s say you’re running late at work. You can keep the temperature of your home higher during the summer, and turn it down when you’re ready to leave work.
It ultimately increases your home’s value because the homeowner can save money on heating and cooling. It’s also a convenient way to keep your home at the ideal temperature, even when you’re running late.
ENERGY STAR Appliances
On average, a moving company will charge you between $100 and $300 per hour to move gas appliances. Even if you have electric ones, you still add to the cost of the move because of their size and weight.
Some homeowners will choose to leave the appliances, which saves them money on moving costs. Not to mention, it’ll increase their home’s value in the process because it’s convenient for the next person who won’t have to pay to move their appliances.
You can elevate the selling price of your home further by leaving behind ENERGY STAR appliances. They have a rating that varies based on the type of appliance and informs the buyer of the product’s energy efficiency.
Whenever a buyer sees they can save money in the long run on their energy bills without having to pay more for energy-efficient appliances, it’s a win for them. For that reason, it’ll reflect in your home’s value.
Tankless Water Heater
Traditional water heaters keep water in the tank hot at all times, even when you’re not using it. You pay to heat all that water, though you’re not using it right away. You can also run out of water if you use too much at once. In this case, you have to wait for it to fill and heat back up.
Tankless units are particularly beneficial if you or other members of your household take long showers or if multiple people often use the hot water simultaneously.
Tankless water heaters have a sensor that detects when you use hot water. The unit will then heat the water to the desired temperature as you’re using it.
Ultimately, you save around 30 percent on your energy costs with a tankless unit. Therefore, while the initial cost of one is more than a traditional one with a tank, you’ll make up the cost with the savings.
Potential homebuyers will see the potential energy savings and want to pay more for the home. That’s why your property value will rise when you install this eco-friendly device.
If you’re looking to add value to your home while reducing your energy expenses in the process, energy-efficient appliances are one option. You can also have solar panels or a smart thermostat installed. With these green upgrades, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re playing a role in protecting the environment.
Eco-friendly, going green, and being environmentally conscious are all terms that mean you’re doing your part to help the environment. Right now, it’s a growing trend. You can incorporate sustainable practices into your home improvements to do your share. Not only are you contributing positively to the world, but you can also increase your home’s value and attract potential buyers.
Solar Panels
Solar panels typically consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells, which absorb sunlight and generate direct current electricity (DC). An inverter will then convert that current into usable alternating current (AC). You can use the energy to power your appliances and electronic devices. What’s left will return to the grid, or the system will store it in batteries for later use.
By harnessing the sun’s energy, you can save money on your energy bills. On average, homeowners have an electricity bill of under $40 per month. Over time, you’ll see energy savings that surpass the amount you spent on the panels and installation.
For a buyer, these savings are quite appealing. As a result, you’ll increase your home’s value with solar panels. Keep in mind that how much it increases your home’s value depends on the type you have installed. Monocrystalline panels, for instance, will increase your home’s value the most, but they’re more expensive.
Thin-film solar panels tend to be the least expensive, but they save less energy than monocrystalline panels. These add the least amount to your home’s value.
Energy-Efficient Windows
Single-pane windows let outside air in and inside air out. Ultimately, this means your home needs to use more energy to keep it at a comfortable temperature.
If you install energy-efficient windows, less air can enter or escape. Your home will then remain a pleasant temperature without needing to run the AC or heat as much.
Because this can save a homeowner money, installing these windows will boost your home’s value. How much it’ll raise depends on the type of windows you have installed. Energy-efficient windows have multiple layers of glass with a gap between each piece. These layers reduce heat transfer.
Eco-friendly windows often have a low-emissivity (low-e) coating that reflects heat. In the winter, it keeps the warm air inside. On the other hand, in the summer, it keeps the hot air on the outside.
As you’re looking for windows, compare by the U-value. It’s a number that determines how well a window insulates. In this case, lower values are better. You’ll notice that a double-pane window will have a value between 0.3 and 0.5, while a triple-pane window will have a reading ranging from 0.2 to 0.3.
Smart Thermostats
Traditional thermostats let you change your home’s temperature, but you have to be there to do so. Smart thermostats, however, allow you to program temperature changes throughout the day, reducing energy use. For instance, you can set your thermostat to decrease the temperature when you’re not home in winter and raise it right before you and your family will be home.
Some thermostats provide you with the option to connect your thermostat to your phone. You can then change the temperature of your home from wherever you are. Let’s say you’re running late at work. You can keep the temperature of your home higher during the summer, and turn it down when you’re ready to leave work.
It ultimately increases your home’s value because the homeowner can save money on heating and cooling. It’s also a convenient way to keep your home at the ideal temperature, even when you’re running late.
ENERGY STAR Appliances
On average, a moving company will charge you between $100 and $300 per hour to move gas appliances. Even if you have electric ones, you still add to the cost of the move because of their size and weight.
Some homeowners will choose to leave the appliances, which saves them money on moving costs. Not to mention, it’ll increase their home’s value in the process because it’s convenient for the next person who won’t have to pay to move their appliances.
You can elevate the selling price of your home further by leaving behind ENERGY STAR appliances. They have a rating that varies based on the type of appliance and informs the buyer of the product’s energy efficiency.
Whenever a buyer sees they can save money in the long run on their energy bills without having to pay more for energy-efficient appliances, it’s a win for them. For that reason, it’ll reflect in your home’s value.
Tankless Water Heater
Traditional water heaters keep water in the tank hot at all times, even when you’re not using it. You pay to heat all that water, though you’re not using it right away. You can also run out of water if you use too much at once. In this case, you have to wait for it to fill and heat back up.
Tankless units are particularly beneficial if you or other members of your household take long showers or if multiple people often use the hot water simultaneously.
Tankless water heaters have a sensor that detects when you use hot water. The unit will then heat the water to the desired temperature as you’re using it.
Ultimately, you save around 30 percent on your energy costs with a tankless unit. Therefore, while the initial cost of one is more than a traditional one with a tank, you’ll make up the cost with the savings.
Potential homebuyers will see the potential energy savings and want to pay more for the home. That’s why your property value will rise when you install this eco-friendly device.
If you’re looking to add value to your home while reducing your energy expenses in the process, energy-efficient appliances are one option. You can also have solar panels or a smart thermostat installed. With these green upgrades, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re playing a role in protecting the environment.
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