A National Association of Homebuilders study says 9 out of 10 homebuyers prefer an energy-efficient home with lower maintenance costs over a cheaper house that lacks or has no energy-efficient features.
That’s because energy efficiency upgrades that save money and increase home value are many notches higher than their traditional counterparts.
How do you make your home energy efficient?
Some tips:
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Improve home insulation and get professional air sealing
Most homes are under-insulated. Even insulated ones suffer from wear and tear. Air leaks around the foundation, attic, windows, doors, plumbing and light fixtures reduce heating and cooling energy by 25% to 45%.
Thus, it‘s a good idea to combine professional air sealing with expertly installed insulation that creates a thermal boundarybetween your home and the outdoors.Thermal boundaries create comfortable room temperatures. They have a huge impact on energy bills and how you feel inside the home. It improves ventilation to make the area feel fresh.
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Use an electric air source heat pump
In summer, an electric air source heat pump moves warm air from your home to the outdoors while circulating cool air. In winter, it pulls in heat from the outdoors into your home to make it feel warm. This heat pump uses only one third of the energy traditional HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems consume. It also cleans and dehumidifies air.
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Thin about a no-gas, all-electric home as a possible option…
Electric has come a long way! In the ‘old’ days electric homes were avoided and seen as a very expensive alternative heat source. Oh how times have changed. Electric-powered homes leave a smaller carbon footprint, fight climate change, protect from unforeseen energy costs, and allow residents to live off the grid. Air quality improves because people don’t cook meals using fossil fuels that create pollutants. It does away with gas leaks that expose you to harmful carbon monoxide at home.
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Use a smart thermostat
This programmable technology learns your home’s temperature preferences and uses them to lessen your heat consumption energy. It cools or warms your house on your preferred schedule. Smart thermostat pays for itself in onlytwo years, saving users 10% to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling costs.
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Shift to a tankless on demand hot water system.
Consider brands such as Navien or Rinnai which WERE once the rage and have become commonplace. On demand hot water or a heat pump water heater is two to three times more energy efficient than a traditional heater. It uses electricity to move the heat from one area to another without having to generate new heat in another area. A family of four can save $350 a year on utility costs by using a heat pump water heater. A tankless on demand hot water gas system can save even more by cutting your hot water heating by 30-40% and has over 90% efficiency. A heat pump water heater lasts 8 to 12 years but a tankless on demand can last up to twice as long and more.
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Install solar panels
These allow you to produce your own energy and reduce the amount of energy you buy from a local source. They raise home value by more than 4%. Solar panels also come with significant tax benefits.
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Have new, energy-efficient windows
New windows decrease energy cost by 12%. Replacing old windows with vinyl ones enables you to recoup 69% of what you spent in installing it.
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Replace old appliances with new ones
The latest washing machines, dryers, and kitchen appliances maximize energy use.Highly efficient washers weigh laundry load to let you use the right amount of water. New dryers can tell if a load is dry before the timer pings, and ends the cycle earlier to save energy. Upgraded dishwashers consume energy and water more efficiently.
Looking for energy efficiency upgrades that save money and increase home value? Contact the Award Winning Agents at the Steve Bremis Realty Group. Call 617.828.1070 or message us here.