04 Mar Environmentally Friendly Home Updates
Environmentally friendly features are updates that will only increase the value of your home, whether you are listing your home for sale, or simply seeking to update your current home. One simple way to go green is to install a digital thermostat. Digital thermostats are programmable, have no moving parts (thus need no repair), and they increase the efficiency of the energy used to heat and cool your home, which is better for the environment, and your wallet. Some digital thermostats can even sync with your smartphone!
Motion sensor light switches in all bathrooms and closets are another easy way to update your home while increasing both the efficient use of energy in your home, as well as the value of your home. Another simple way to go green is to replace your older appliances with energy-efficient versions. Appliances with the Energy Star certification are 10-50% more efficient on average than traditional appliances. Energy Star refrigerators, for example, use 40% less energy than refrigerators produced in 2001. This update will be noted as part of the upgrades in your home when it’s listed for sale.
Low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets are all easy ways to reduce the amount of water used in everyday life, and are key ways to conserve water here in the desert. Drinking water is another area where a small investment can pay big dividends for the environment. Water filtration systems such as reverse-osmosis will greatly reduce reliance on wasteful plastic bottles and containers, and will reduce one’s carbon footprint. Potential home buyers will see this system as a definite plus when touring your home.
Finally, whether you are painting your home to prep it for sale, or freshening up the paint to update your current residence, using low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint is an easy way to reduce the toxicity of your environment. The EPA has determined that inside air is 3-5 times more toxic than outdoor air, thanks to the toxic compounds in paint and finishes in your home. Low or no VOC paint is also beneficial for health reasons, and people with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals will also appreciate these paints.
I look forward to helping you determine which of these environmentally friendly updates is a smart way to prepare your home for sale!