Eco-friendly homes are here to stay. With the variety of home features and amenities available today, and the positive benefits of these elements, you’d be hard-pressed to find a new home without any “green” attributes. If you own an older home, or it’s time for an update, you can benefit from eco-friendly home improvements as much as the environment can.
The simplest of changes, such as low-flow water faucets and Energy-Star appliances, have a big impact towards conserving energy. More significant changes such as switching to solar or geo-thermal heating, or installing energy efficient windows may cost more, but they also tend to have a high Return on Investment (ROI) value. The key to deciding which eco-friendly upgrades you’ll take on, is to understand the benefits of such a change.
The ultimate benefit is of course helping to conserve the environment through lessening energy use and thus reducing a home’s carbon footprint. But the benefits of an eco-friendly home will also directly benefit you the owner. Lower energy use results in lower utility costs. Depending on where you live, such as in York County, there are often local rebate initiatives where you can get money back for installing eco-friendly amenities in your home. There are also State and Federal programs, including tax credits for Energy-Star appliances.
An eco-friendly home is a valuable asset. When it comes time to sell, “green” improvements can not only enhance your listing to draw in potential buyers, but also increase property value. Many buyers are looking for homes with environmentally friendly features already in place. This demand for these amenities has resulted in homes with them commanding higher sale prices.
There’s also the feel-good factor in an eco-friendly home. Knowing you and your family are using less energy at home can simply make you feel better about yourself and where you live. The more you enjoy where you live, the happier you’ll be.
If you’re considering eco-friendly upgrades for your home but are not sure where to being, here’s a list of some of the most popular and beneficial eco-friendly home improvements to get you started:
- Energy Star Rated appliances & windows
- LED and/or CFL lightbulbs
- Low-flow faucets & showerheads
- Smart Thermostat
- Eco-friendly building/remodeling materials, such as bamboo wood floors
- Tankless Water Heaters
- Solar Panel Energy System and/or Geothermal Heating
- Energy efficient landscaping, such as shade trees near the home, a rain barrel or garden, and incorporating climate-appropriate plants in the yard
For more information on the benefits of an eco-friendly home, and how you can have one, check out this insightful article published by Conserve Energy Future. When you’re ready to sell or buy property in York County, you want a team you can rely on. The Jim Powers Team of local, experienced Realtors® is here to help you through the entire process. Our goal is to help you from start to finish, with complete satisfaction. Visit our website to learn more, then contact us or give us a call at 717-417-4111, to get the conversation started.