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Property Valuation For Properties With Energy-efficient Hvac And Smart Thermostats

Energy efficient homes are designed to conserve and reduce energy use. A home’s structure, appliances, and key features can affect efficiency, so there’s a lot to consider when buying your first home.

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Many families are considering cost-effective and healthy sustainable options and want to protect the environment. The growing eco-industry means many contractors know how they build homes.

Sustainability is definitely something to consider when looking for a home. You’ll need to work with a home inspector to evaluate major sustainability issues, such as insulation, but you can identify many features on your own.

Energy efficient homes are designed to save and reduce energy use without sacrificing home comfort. Here are 14 things to ask when looking for an energy-efficient home.

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The shape and size of your home can have a surprising impact on energy efficiency. Building a larger house requires more raw materials, and with more surface area there are more opportunities for heat transfer and ventilation, so it will be more expensive to heat and cool the additional space.

The size of the house also affects efficiency. Rooms with open floor plans and high ceilings are difficult to keep warm. These rooms have more space to heat and require additional energy to stay comfortable. Homes with lots of doors and walls have limited space, so your heating and cooling use less energy to maintain temperature.

The orientation of windows has a direct impact on average room temperature and natural light. You should consider how to best serve different rooms in different wings of the house.

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Rooms with north- and east-facing windows receive less light and are cooler than the rest of the house. North- and east-facing rooms are ideal settings for kitchens that generate their own heat and are not used so frequently that they require additional lighting.

South- and west-facing windows receive lots of direct sunlight, requiring no electricity to keep these rooms warm and well-lit. It’s perfect for a room where the whole family can enjoy the day, such as the living room. However, summer can make these rooms very hot, so you’ll need blinds or curtains to control the temperature.

Your home’s entry points can reduce your home’s energy use. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 30 percent of residential energy used for heating and cooling is lost through windows.

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Be sure to consider your windows or doors. Windows, especially, have come a long way over the years, and you may want to replace your old single-pane windows. Depending on the climate you live in, it may be worth considering storm windows, extra glass, or even inflatable windows to help insulate your home.

You need to check that your doors and windows fit properly and make sure there are no air leaks. You can check for drafts, visible gaps in the frame, and whether anything is sticking when you open or close each door or window. It’s also a good idea to have a home inspector double-check all entry points.

Water heaters account for 19 percent of the average home’s energy use, trailing heating and cooling as the largest use of residential electricity.

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Traditional water heaters store and heat large amounts of water at once, and all the water is not always used after it is heated. Tankless water heaters are very energy efficient and only heat water when you need it.

Tankless water heaters are usually a box fixed to the wall rather than a large tank, so they are easy to identify. Of course, it’s always a good idea to talk to your home inspector to find out more.

Insulation is vital to maintaining the temperature in your home. This prevents heat from transferring from indoors to outdoors, so your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard.

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Cooling alone accounts for 16% of residential energy consumption, so it’s important to know how well your home is insulated. Ask your home inspector to make sure the home’s insulation is effective and in good condition, especially if you are considering buying an older home.

EPA-certified energy-efficient appliances can earn an Energy Star rating. These certifications help consumers choose energy-efficient products, and they’re easy to find—look for the blue Energy Star logo on certified appliances.

When upgrading equipment, it’s best to start with the equipment that has the greatest impact on energy use. Home experts agree that Energy Star-certified dryers and refrigerators are the most effective energy-saving upgrades.

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Lighting accounts for 5% of average household energy consumption. Upgrading to LED light bulbs throughout your home is an easy way to save energy. These bulbs use only 20% of the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer.

You’ll also want to check whether your light fixtures are energy efficient. Check for Energy Star ratings and prioritize replacing fixtures in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room. Light fixture features, including dimmers and timers, can also have a positive impact on your energy use.

An airtight home prevents energy loss and protects your health. The fewer leaks your home has, the harder it will be for indoor air to escape and outdoor air to enter. This means your heating and cooling won’t have to work so hard, even in extreme temperatures.

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Have a home inspector check for air leaks and improve the home’s air sealing and ventilation.

Smart devices can automate everything from home security to your morning routine. Not surprisingly, smart technology can also lower your energy costs.

Heating and cooling systems use more energy than other home appliances, so smart thermostats are a great way to reduce energy use. You can monitor and adjust the temperature in your home from anywhere and even set up routines.

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Smart lighting systems automate your energy usage to save energy. Smart appliances like refrigerators and dryers offer creative solutions to energy problems. For example, some refrigerators have cameras that allow you to see the contents of the refrigerator without opening the door.

Roofs receive a lot of sunlight, so roof material and color can affect the efficiency of your home. Cool roofs are becoming a popular option for reducing the amount of heat your roof collects from the sun.

Roofs reflect sunlight to retain sunlight and keep you cool rather than generating heat. A light-colored roof is a good choice because it naturally reflects sunlight. If you want to keep your ceiling dark for aesthetic purposes, you can apply a membrane or other reflective coating to prevent heat trapping.

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Cool roofs help maintain the temperature inside your home and can also affect the temperature outside. In fact, when more buildings in a community have cool roofs, the city’s energy demand is lower and emissions from energy production are reduced.

The most energy-efficient homes have sustainability in mind from the start. The materials used in a home can affect its overall efficiency, especially when considering the foundation and insulation.

A home’s landscaping affects its energy efficiency both on the outside and inside. First, your landscape probably needs water, and the EPA estimates that half of municipal water use is used to water lawns and gardens. Landscaping made with moss or native plants instead of grass can reduce the need for water. The size of your yard also has a direct impact on the energy required to maintain your landscaping.

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Landscaping can also help you save energy in your home. Well-maintained trees can provide relief from the sun in the summer and allow sunlight to warm your home in the winter. Likewise, a row of trees or hedges can protect a house from wind and thus better maintain internal temperature.

Homes built with energy efficiency in mind from the outset are increasingly popular and often receive Energy Star certification. These homes use an average of 20% less energy and save you time and money on upgrades.

Ask your real estate agent if the home is Energy Star certified and what energy-saving features are included.

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Solar energy is the leading source of residential renewable energy in the United States. While only 6% of homeowners have made the switch, another 46% are seriously considering installing solar panels on their homes. Solar panels can protect the environment, lower energy costs, and even increase the value of your home.

Of course, there are many options for generating electricity at home besides solar power. Depending on your home’s electricity usage, climate and local needs, there are other possible energy options:

While you can find many energy-saving home features, you may not know them all. A home inspector is a great resource to help you learn the ins and outs of any home you are planning

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