Buyers – and Renters – Want Energy Efficiency!
A vast majority of home buyers consider energy efficiency a big part of what they look for when they’re buying, according to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders. A full 88% of survey respondents felt that energy efficiency was a top criteria in their housing search, second only to neighborhood safety.
Renters also show a preference for apartments that are warm in winter without costing a fortune in heating bills. As one example, a property manager recently called Renew Boston, eager to learn how energy efficiency could help a building owner who kept losing tenants. The third floor of this uninsulated building was always too hot in summer and too expensive to keep comfortable in the winter. The property manager used a Renew Boston worksheet to gather the utility account numbers of the three tenants and will help the owner through the process of getting a Whole House energy assessment. (This worksheet is available in multiple languages to help communicate with any tenants for whom English is not their first language.) Assuming that multiple units need insulation, this owner will likely qualify for the Whole Building Incentive: a 90% discount on insulation, worth up to $3,000 per apartment.
There are so many ways to improve the efficiency of your home or your investment property. Start by calling 617-635-SAVE (7283) to schedule no-cost Home Energy Assessments and receive the Instant Savings Measures, like advanced power strips, water-saving devices, and energy-saving lightbulbs.
If you know that your building is already well insulated and air-sealed, you might check its window frames and doors to see if any need caulking and painting or if any door sweeps need replacement.
Lastly, another good starting place to this on-line tool to create your home energy profile. You’ll get an estimate of potential energy savings and cost-effective upgrade advice.