Tips for Making Your Home More Environmentally Friendly

Usually around Earth Day we have some activity planned in the neighborhood park where we have an educational event for kids or plant something in the garden. Sadly we won’t be able to have such an event this year, but that doesn’t mean that some Earth Day-related learning can’t take place! Since we are social distancing and working from home, I took an afternoon to catch up on my continuing education, which just so happened to focus on ways the environmental movement is impacting real estate.

Interestingly enough, the choices we make in home construction significantly impact our environment. Going all out and building your home with a LEED certification is one way to embrace the green movement. That requires specific materials, contractors/designers, as well as inspectors who track the progress and compliance with the LEED certification requirements. For something like this you really need to weigh the costs & benefits. It will be expensive on the front end, but the tax credits and more efficient energy usage may benefit you later.

If the LEED route is not for you, there are several small yet feasible changes you can make in your existing home that can not only cut back on your energy usage and costs, but are universally attractive to buyers:

• Installing a programmable thermostat.
• Replacing outdated appliances and light fixtures with ENERGY STAR®-rated equivalents.
• Cutting heating and cooling needs by adding insulation to the attic.
• Replacing windows and doors with more energy-efficient models.
• Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water usage.
• Adding weather stripping to the doors and windows to ensure the home is well insulated.

Another thing buyers look at is the SEER rating on the HVAC. A higher SEER rating equates to energy efficiency, which we all know means you should spend less on that A/C bill in the summer. What buyer wouldn’t love that?

Solar panels, xeriscaping, and rainwater collection systems are great ways to lower your carbon footprint. How could anyone not want to manufacture their own energy and spend less on watering their yard? As a homeowner, you can also benefit from tax credits for certain environmentally friendly measures. For resale, it can be viewed as highly valuable in some markets and less so in others. If you are curious to know more, please call me.