Selling a home is not an exact science. Some people are happy to take on a doer-upper that needs a ton of work whereas others are only interested in homes that are ready to move into with nothing needed, apart from some personal touches. However, most properties fall somewhere in the middle, and it makes sense to try to make them appealing to as many people as possible. Energy-efficient homes use less energy to run appliances and electronics, and energy-efficient manufacturing facilities use less energy to produce goods.
Given how important energy efficiency is becoming these days, any home that maximizes energy efficiency will stand a better chance of being snapped up quickly. Here is a rundown of some features you can add to your home so that when the time does come to sell, it will be more attractive to potential buyers.
Solar Panels
Solar energy is far more energy efficient than traditional types of heating and cooling. Fitting solar panels to your roof utilizes the sunshine to provide free energy for heating and cooling. Fitting a photovoltaic system won’t provide free electricity all year, but it will go a considerable way towards offsetting your energy costs. There are even federal and other incentives to help reduce the initial installation cost.
Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters don’t cost as much as a full photovoltaic system, but still offer a lot of benefits. Rather than provide free electricity, solar water heaters generate solar-powered hot water for the home. They are suitable for any region or climate and are a great energy-efficient addition to the home.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats such as those from Sensi let homeowners control the temperature in the home from a Wi-Fi-connected device, such as a smartphone. This means you can adjust the temperature indoors at any given time, and when you are not at home. For example, keep the temperature low all day while you are at work and then increase it to a more comfortable level shortly before you arrive home. It is a more energy-efficient solution because you are not heating your home unnecessarily.
This is the kind of feature buyers look for in modern homes, and it won’t cost you a fortune to implement since most smart thermostats integrate beautifully with HVAC systems and can be installed as a DIY project.
LED Lighting
Convert all lights to energy-efficient LED lights. Not only do they look a lot nicer, but they save money in the long run, which is something buyers will appreciate. It’s also a quick and inexpensive way to make a home look more modern as well as energy efficient.
Energy Efficient Gardens
Gardens can be made energy efficient too. Consider which region you live in and make changes that suit the climate, such as choosing drought-resistant plants, providing shade, using windbreaks in cooler areas, maximizing shade, etc. Don’t forget to add cute additions such as solar lights to brighten up the garden at night.
As energy costs increase and the climate changes, buyers are increasingly looking for homes with additional energy-efficient features. By implementing some or all of the upgrades above, you can stay ahead of the curve.
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