Today’s homebuyers are environmentally conscious, and they are looking for homes that are eco-friendly. Luxury homebuyers especially want design elements that support sustainability. The National Association of Realtors' 2020 Report on Sustainability stated that 63% of members noted that promoting energy efficiency in listings was “very or somewhat valuable to them”. In addition, millennials are big proponents of “green” living and with millions of them reaching the age where they are buying homes, there will be a large desire for eco-friendly homes that will play a part in protecting the planet.
So, how do you make your home eco-friendlier?
It is surprisingly easy to upgrade your home with green features, while keeping it aesthetically pleasing.
Here are some ways to get started:
- USE ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTBULBS
While they have been around for many years, lots of homeowners are just now beginning to use energy-efficient lightbulbs. They have many benefits, including reducing electricity use and extending the life of the bulb. Per Everyday Health if each American household exchanged one lightbulb for an energy efficient one, the country would save enough energy to light up to 2.5 million homes each year, and save $600 million in energy costs! One of the most common types of energy efficient lighting are LED bulbs. They come in all kinds of colors and styles and fit into current fixtures, making switching to energy efficient bulbs one of the easiest ways to go green.
- MAKE YOUR HOME A “SMART” ONE
Many people may think having a “smart home” is out of reach; that it’s something only luxury homeowners can afford. But truthfully, it’s one of the best ways to make your home eco-friendly and in the long run, it will save money. Home automation allows appliances to run with the lowest amount of energy required, thus creating lower bills for the homeowner. Automated controls save money, time, energy and reduce your carbon footprint. It’s a win for everyone to add smart home technology!
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INSTALL A GREEN ROOF
The desire to eat healthy has many people participating in home gardening. With that in mind, urban homeowners have started installing green roofs. There are many benefits to green roofs; they don’t require a backyard, they provide natural cooling, and they are aesthetically pleasing. But most importantly, they are energy efficient. During the summer a green roof protects the building from direct solar heat. When winter arrives, it minimizes heat loss thanks to the extra insulation on the roof. And finally, thanks to the energy conservation it provides, there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
- CREATE A LIVING WALL
If you enjoy gardening and desire to be environmentally friendly, consider creating a living wall in your home. Not only is a living wall a beautiful, organic addition to your living room, entryway, or terrace, it is also very eco-friendly. It provides natural insulation, reduces energy consumption, and aids in humidity level maintenance. They are especially popular in hot climates because they require less energy to cool your home.
If you are in the market to buy or sell a home (or both), let me Sandra Nickel, and my Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs! Call us today at 334-834-1500 and check out https://www.homesforsaleinmontgomeryalabama.com for more information.
Photo credits: seagoinggreen.org, learn.eartheasy.com, safewise.com, construction21.org, florafelt.com
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