Homebuyers are more interested than ever in purchasing an energy-efficient home. With the weather still shockingly cold in some areas of the country, people are looking toward the warm-weather months ahead. Extreme temperatures also mean that buyers will be looking at a home’s cooling/heating costs and energy-saving features with a more critical eye.
There are several simple steps you can take to help lower monthly utility bills, increase your property’s overall appeal and reduce the impact on the environment. Here are just a few:
Contact your utility company to arrange for an energy audit that will show where the home is energy inefficient.
Caulk and use weather stripping to fill air leaks around doors and windows. This will minimize the amount of heating that is required to keep the house warm. It will also help keep the house cool during the summer months.
If you will be purchasing any new appliances, choose energy-efficient units that appeal to buyers because of the savings on energy costs.
For a major project like installing new windows, double-glazed windows are recommended because they help insulate the home from both hot and cold weather.
