27 Oct 2023
The green changes provide an edge to a house in a crowded marketplace and minimize environmental effects.
Eco-friendly upgrades to your house can save resources, add value to your homestead, and decrease your carbon footprint on the environment. Making your home more appealing for sale through green upgrades as buyers show a growing interest in sustainability.Â
These are the top green home improvements that increase the value of your house.
Install Solar Panels
Solar Panels, make your own renewable electricity. This will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and lower your monthly energy bills. Selling energy generated by solar panels could help people cope with rapidly soaring prices of electricity.
Over the past decade, solar panels have become quite cheap. It takes nearly 5 to 7 years for the investment to give a return on their capital. Additionally, it adds a considerable amount of worth to your house. Another recent study has shown that on average there is an increase in resale value resulting from rooftop solar.
Benefits of Installing Solar Panels:
Lower electricity bills
Smaller carbon footprint
Increased home value
Tax rebates and incentives available
Clean energy source
Solar panels could actually sell your house off. Buyers want eco-friendly abodes, which have options like solar. Mention of your solar system might make a difference for your home in this crowd.
Upgrade Windows
New, energy-efficient windows could save you energy if you are replacing old ones. New windows prevent the escape of hot and cold air thereby reducing heating and cooling expenses.
If you are buying new windows, consider getting Energy Star-certified products. They meet strict efficiency rules defined by the EPA. Some key features to look for include:
Double or triple panes
Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings
Insulated frames
Argon or krypton inert gas filled.
Replacing ten of your old windows with modern designs may help you save an annual energy cost.
Not only does it save energy, but a brand new window could make an amazing difference in how your home looks like. With that said, your home could be worth an extra $ 2000 if you get insulation.
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Windows:
Lower energy bills
Improved temperature control
Reduced exterior noise
Increased home value
More durable and longer-lasting
Sell your windows by emphasizing their ability to cut down on noise and increase efficiency. This will make your home more appealing for sale.
Install Insulation
One of the best ways to enhance energy efficiency in a house is through proper insulation. Warm and cool air is kept in check by insulation resulting in reduced heating and cooling expenses.
Areas to focus on insulating include:
Attic
Exterior walls
Heated spaces above unheated spaces like garages or basements.
Ductwork
Different types of insulation have different uses:
Walls Batts, Attic Rolls Fiberglass.
Sound-Damp and Fire Resist - Mineral Wool.
Recycled paper cellulose, suitable for odd spaces.
Seals cracks and penetrations – spray foam.
You may save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bill when you add proper insulation to your under-insulated house.
It is not only warm but cozy all year round for an average home with new insulation as well. This uniform temperature ensures that you get even more comfort and may boost your property’s worth. Many buyers view insulation as their most important feature.
Benefits of Insulation:
Lower energy bills
Less temperature fluctuations
Better long life for walls and roofs.
Higher home value
Tax credits may be available
Displaying your home’s effective insulation tells the buyer that it is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Install a Cool Roof
Another way is when your old roof needs changing, you should opt for installing a cool roof that will minimize energy use and protect the environment.
Cool roofs can reflect sunlight while absorbing less heat as compared with traditional black-coated roofs. This will keep your home cooler and lower AC bills.
Cool roofs have been found to decrease the roof’s surface temperatures by up to 50°F. It also increases the life of your roof thus reducing any costs you may need to incur towards repairs or replacement.
In fact, cool roofing materials come in various colors rather than just white. Options include:
Coatings with reflective pigments.
Infrared-reflective tiles.
Installation of reflective shingles.
With a cool roof, annual cooling expenses may be lowered by seven to fifteen percent. They also assist in lessening the urban heat effect.
If you are selling your home, highlight the advantages that come with a cool roof in this regard. Buyers will like eco-friendly upgrades.
Benefits of a Cool Roof:
Lower cooling costs.
Reduced roof temperature.
Longer roof life span.
Fights against heat island effect by reflecting heat.
Applicable to numerous types of roofs.
Upgrade Home Lighting
Switching to LED lights for new light bulbs is a great step in saving energy. LED bulbs consume no greater than 75% of the energy used by incandescent ones, and their lifetimes are as long as twenty-five times that of typical incandescent.
Some easy ways to upgrade your home's lighting include:
Replacing all bulbs with LEDs.
Adding LED recessed or track lights.
Replacing exterior lights with LEDs.
Under-cabinet lighting using LED strips or bulbs.
Through your cellphone, you control smart LED bulbs. These options comprise establishing schedules for light switching on and off, as well as turning bulbs blue or red.
Another approach to saving energy includes using motion-sensor lights on closet doors as well as at the entryways of homes. Lights only light up when required.
Upgrade your lighting and save a lot in more utility bills! These cost savings accumulate with the use of an LED bulb for a longer period.
Benefits of LED Lighting:Â
Consumes only up to 80% of the traditional energy.
Lasts years longer.
No mercury unlike CFLs.
Improved light quality.
Controllable with smart technology.
List your home with LED and smart lighting ads. It highlights ‘energy-efficient’ about the property to buyers.
Water Conservation Upgrades
As rainy seasons become increasingly regular, saving water is both environmentally sustainable and cost-effective. Eco-conscious buyers also want water-saving upgrades.
Indoor water usage can be lowered by simple DIY projects such as fitting low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Even more can be saved by switching from the older toilets to efficient new models.
Drip irrigations can be set up for gardens and lawns in an outdoor setting. Smart sprinkler controls water based on weather patterns. Other landscaping options include gravel and drought-tolerant plants that will help save on water.
Upgrades like greywater systems, which collect household water and use it for other purposes, save much more. You can utilize free rainwater with the help of barrels and cisterns in collecting stormwater, used for irrigation purposes.
When you save water, water bills are lowered. Showing off how your house conserves water can be important in today’s market.
Benefits of Water Conservation:
Lower water bills
Reduced strain on water supplies
Smaller environmental footprint
Rebates on certain retrofits.
Increased home value
Attractive to eco-conscious buyers
The green changes provide an edge to a house in a crowded marketplace and minimize environmental effects. The advantages of a home built for sustainability become apparent even while you live in it, as well as when you eventually resell it.