These days, many home buyers are looking for eco-friendly features. Fortunately, greener options are being incorporated into more and more home designs, making it easier for homebuyers to find the house that\u2019s right for them.<\/p>\n
The National Association of Realtors reports that in 2018, about 5.34 million existing homes were sold. Although building a new home is the most direct way of ensuring that your house is eco-friendly, you can find green features in pre-existing homes. Here are eight eco-friendly features to look for in your next home.<\/p>\n
1. Eco-Friendly Building Materials<\/strong> 2. Eco-Friendly Landscaping<\/strong> 3. Energy Star Appliances<\/strong> 4. Water-Efficient Appliances and Plumbing<\/strong> 5. Solar Panels<\/strong> 6. Dual-Pane and Low-E Windows<\/strong> 7. Energy-Efficient Lighting<\/strong> 8. Energy-Efficient Wall and Roof Insulation<\/strong> If you\u2019re a home buyer looking for an eco-friendly house, you\u2019ll have to put in the effort required to find out if the property you\u2019re interested offers all the features you want. Ask questions about water and energy efficiency, landscaping, and sustainable building materials before you buy.<\/p>\n
\nFind out if greener materials were used in the construction of the property you\u2019re interested in. Materials with a lower impact on the environment include salvaged or reclaimed wood and recycled items. You should also ask if materials used inside the home or in the home\u2019s structure are certified from sustainable sources, such as precast concrete, recycled steel, straw bales, and bamboo. Sustainable building materials will lower your energy usage and reduce your dependency on resources such as gas and oil that contribute to climate change.<\/p>\n
\nDoes the home you\u2019re looking at feature xeriscaping, a type of landscaping that uses drought-resistant plants and grass? If so, you\u2019ll use less water to maintain your yard. Is a sprinkler system installed? A sprinkler, too, is a way to use water efficiently. Does the lawn feature synthetic grass? This is actually a greener option because it doesn\u2019t need to be maintained with water-polluting chemicals and doesn\u2019t need water to stay green. Are the patio and walkways made of eco-friendly materials like mulch or wood chips? Of course, you can add these features if they don\u2019t already exist, but it\u2019s nice to have them in place before you even move in. A yard full of native plants can also support local wildlife.<\/p>\n
\nYou can spot Energy Star appliances in the store by searching for the blue logo with the star next to the word \u201cenergy.\u201d This logo indicates that the appliance has independent certification for energy efficiency without loss of functionality or popular features. Appliances and products that may be Energy Star certified include washers and dryers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, ceiling fans, solar and\/or tankless water heaters, skylights, windows, doors, and central air conditioning units. If tags with the logo have been removed, ask your real estate agent which appliances or products are Energy Star certified.<\/p>\n
\nWater consumption is a serious global issue. Many nations are examining their water usage, especially those that have experienced a decrease in yearly rainfall in recent years. You can do your part by making sure your next home is using water efficiently. For instance, you can install water heaters that don\u2019t waste water. You will also cut down significantly on water waste if you use low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads. In the United States, there are about 27 million low-flush toilets in use, so this is a popular option for many families.
\nWhen looking at the existing appliances and fixtures in a home you\u2019re considering buying, look for the WaterSense label. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that WaterSense-labeled products undergo independent testing and certification, and meet EPA\u2019s specifications for efficient water usage. The WaterSense label can be found on toilets, showerheads, faucets, and lawn irrigation systems.<\/p>\n
\nSolar panels are growing in popularity. It\u2019s usually easy to see that a home has solar panels. They can make any size house more eco-friendly. It\u2019s best to choose a home with panels already installed, which should be less expensive and less disruptive than buying and installing them yourself. You\u2019ll still want to ask your real estate agent when the panels were installed, how they operate, and the amount of energy they generate annually, which will indicate cost savings and the eco-friendliness of the home.<\/p>\n
\nYou can reduce energy waste by purchasing a home with dual-pane or Low-E windows. A dual-pane window has two panes of glass that keep a layer of air between them. The air layer provides insulation, holding heat in and keeping cold air out. This makes the windows more energy efficient. Similarly, Low-E or low-emittance windows insulate more effectively than standard windows and are therefore more energy efficient. Low-e window glass also shields the home\u2019s occupants from harmful UV rays.<\/p>\n
\nThe lighting available to homeowners is becoming increasingly energy-efficient. The typical annual electricity usage for an American residential utility customer in 2018 was 10,972 kilowatt-hours (kWh), or approximately 914 kWh used monthly. But you can make your electric lighting more efficient with advances such as the newer-model compact fluorescent bulbs. LED lights are even more energy-efficient and last longer. But the kind of bulb being used is not the only factor that will reduce your energy usage. Find out if the home you\u2019re interested in buying has motion sensors to shut off lights in unoccupied spaces. With motion sensors, you won\u2019t waste energy on an empty room, and kids won\u2019t need to remember to turn lights off every time they leave a room.<\/p>\n
\nThe kind of insulation you use in your home matters as some kinds offer greater energy efficiency. For instance, cellulose insulation, which is propelled into the cavity of the wall, is more energy-efficient than insulation sheets typically used in new construction homes. The cellulose can seal all the spaces in the wall and keep heat from being released, thereby saving on energy consumption. The type of insulation used for the roof should be similarly high in quality and keep heat from escaping. If you\u2019re interested in an older home, be aware that the insulation might be old and should be replaced.<\/p>\n