Homebuyers today are looking for energy-efficient features that save money and are kind to the environment. Here are six energy-efficient upgrades that benefit you today and could boost your home’s value when you sell.
LED Lighting—This is an easy improvement; just put LED bulbs in all your fixtures. Yes, they’re more expensive than conventional bulbs, but they last a very long time and immediately lower your electricity cost. When it comes time to sell, you can show buyers electric bills that may be lower than those for similar homes in your area.
High Energy Star-Rated Appliances—People now value these very highly.
Smart Home Technology—Smart home devices control heating, air conditioning, and lighting, to deliver greater energy efficiency and comfort. Smart devices learn and adapt to your usage, and are conveniently controlled by voice or smartphone. You don’t need a whole smart home system, just those smart devices that make your home more energy-efficient. Look at individual products designed to work together, or a single user interface, called a smart home hub, that lets you add components as you need them.
Solar Panels—Solar panels which are also called photovoltaic (PV) system give you electric power from the sun, a renewable source, while making a big cut in your overall energy costs. If net metering is curtailed in your area, affordable energy storage systems can hold the power you don’t use.
Modern HVAC—A big percentage of the energy used in a home is for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), so you want (and buyers look for) products with the latest capabilities. These include programmable thermostats, double-paned windows, high-efficiency furnaces, and geothermal systems that don’t use fossil fuels, and instead draw heat from within the earth.
EV Charging Station—If you buy an electric vehicle (EV), installing a home charging station makes sense. Plus, it’s a feature many energy-conscious buyers will appreciate.
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