4 Energy Efficient Upgrades to Increase the Value of your Home

Raise your hand if watching  shows like HGTV’s Fixer Upper has given you the bug for remodeling.  Even if you already love how your home looks, it only takes one episode of watching Chip and Joanna work their magic to make you want to shiplap everything, right?  Well, when it comes to updating and improving our homes, we often walk a fine line.  We have to decide if the expense of the upgrade is worth it–will it add to the resale value of your home? Do you care if it doesn’t?

Of course bathroom additions and kitchen remodels can usually be great ways to increase the value of your home, but in addition to that, a wide variety of sources also suggest that energy efficient improvements can have a good ROI.  Some of these improvements include:

4 Energy Efficient Upgrades to Increase the Value of your Home

1. Updating your thermostat

An article from Forbes, published in 2016, advises that adding a programmable thermostat is any easy and inexpensive home improvement to increase value.  “…With energy costs on the rise, many buyers will appreciate your forward thinking in assisting them with long-term savings….”  While a programmable thermostat is certainly not a bad decision, you can always take it a step further and replace your current thermostat with a smart thermostat as well.

2. Installing new, energy efficient windows

HomeLight author Valerie Kalfrin cites a survey done by the National Association of Home Builders: “Home buyers of every economic background…ranked Energy Star-rated windows among their most-wanted features, whether with triple-pane insulating glass or with low-e insulating glass….”  Replacing windows can be a pretty big undertaking, but if you decide to do it, most like likely you will increase the resale value of your home.

3. Replacing the toilet

Cracked and gross toilets can turn any potential buyer off.  When replacing a toilet, look for an energy efficient low flow model.

4. Upgrade the hot water heater

Though there are some studies that show health benefits to cold showers, the fact remains that most people want a functioning hot water heater for their showers, dishwashers, and laundry machines.  HGTV advises replacing your traditional water heater with a tankless hot water heater in order to increase the value of your home.  According to HGTV, “The eco-friendly water heater will save energy and money, and will help set you home apart if you sell.”

One of the best parts of all of these updates is that not only can they increase the value of your home, they will also help you to save energy and money while still living in it.  Win-win!

Are you looking for more information about how to make some of these improvements?  Contact us at FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical!