Going green for your home’s upgrades is no longer a trend. Buyers are looking for homes with energy-efficient and cost-saving features. A recent NAR (National Association of Realtors®) survey revealed that 68% of buyers want an environmentally friendly home; 46% would pay an extra $1,000 to $9,999 on a home with green features. Use these energy-saving tips to get your house lean and green.
Plumbing
Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. A single dripping water faucet can waste over 200 gallons of water a month.
Insulate your water heater by wrapping it in an insulation blanket.
Consider an on-demand or tankless water heater.
Washer and Dryer
- Are you considering replacing your washing machine? Look into purchasing a front loading machine instead of a top-loading one. Front loading machines use less detergent, less water.
- ENERGY STAR® rated clothes washer will save you approximately $50 per year on your utility bill and approximately 7,000 gallons of water a year
- When the time comes to replace your dryer, look for a clothes dryer with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry..
Bathrooms
- Look into low-flush toilets. Older toilets use as much as 5 gallons per flush (GPF), compared to low-flush toilets which typically rate a 1.6 GPF.
- Install low-flow showerheads. They can save as much as 14,000 gallons of water a year, which, in turn, helps you save big on your energy bill.
For more info on tankless water heaters see our article Tankless vs. Traditional: Which One is Better?
Heating and Cooling
- If your old air conditioner/heating unit is on its way out, replace it with an ENERGY STAR® labeled energy- efficient model.
- Consider solar panels.
Kitchen
Dishwasher
Consider replacing the dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR® dishwasher. ENERGY STAR® dishwashers require an average of only 4 gallons of water per load
Refrigerator
Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the bill out easily, the seal may need replacing.
Oven and Cooktop
- Check the seal on your oven door for cracks or tears. Even a small tear or gap can allow heat to escape. Replace old and worn cooktop burners with new ones—they will reflect the heat better and save energy.
- Consider using gas if possible. A gas stove costs less than half as much to operate as an electric one.
Around the House
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Lighting should be replaced with energy-efficient LED bulbs. Check out The 10 Best Light Bulbs of 2021 at TheSpruce.com
- Install ENERGY STAR® ceiling fan/light combination units.
- Wrap heating and cooling ducts with duct wrap.
- Insulate ceilings to R-30 standards if your attic has less than R-19.
- Caulk windows, doors, and anywhere air leaks in or out.
- Weatherstrip around windows and doors.
- Replace old windows with new high-performance dual pane windows.