In today’s real estate market, consumer awareness and emphasis on sustainability is becoming increasingly important. More and more homebuyers are choosing to buy properties that include energy-efficient upgrades.Modern, energy-efficient features can serve a crucial double purpose: they help to reduce your ongoing utility costs and increase the market value of your home. While sometimes costly upfront, the benefits of energy-efficient upgrades are measurable. For example, studies have shown that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for an average of 2.7% more than homes without these ratings, which – depending on your home’s value – could add tens of thousands of dollars to your pocket.
Let’s explore four of the most popular energy efficiency upgrades and how they can help increase the value of your home.
Table of Contents
- Improve Your Home Insulation
- Add Energy-Efficient Windows
- Switch to Smart Thermostats for Electric Baseboard Heating
- Install Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps with Smart Control
1. Improve Your Home Insulation
Benefits of Improved Insulation
Upgrading your insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Properly installed and maintained insulation does double duty – it keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer by reducing the transfer of heat through walls, roofs, and floors. This creates a more comfortable, stable indoor temperature, reducing the workload on heating and cooling systems.
Proper insulation can also help seal gaps and cracks where air might leak in or out. This prevents cold drafts in the winter and reduces the loss of conditioned air in the summer, meaning you won’t need to rely as much on your HVAC system to stay comfortable.
The equation is simple: improved insulation = lower energy bills, better comfort, and higher market value for your home.
Types of Insulation
When it comes to choosing the insulation that is right for your home, it is important to consider the various types that are available, including fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam, and rigid foam.
Each type of insulation has specific qualities, but which you choose depends on what is required in your home.
For example, roll-in fiberglass insulation is a popular choice amongst homeowners, largely due to its affordability and ease of installation. On the other hand, spray-in foam insulation is best for irregularly shaped or hard-to-reach spaces, or areas with many obstructions like pipes or wiring, but it’s more expensive. Keep in mind that the more expensive your insulation choice, the less of a return on investment you’ll get when you eventually sell your home.
DIY vs Professional Installation
While some insulation upgrades can be undertaken as DIY projects by intrepid (or experienced) homeowners, professional installation of home insulation is widely recommended to ensure correct application and optimal results.
Home insulation installation professionals have the knowledge and experience to tackle most home insulation project needs, regardless of complexity. This guarantees a more efficient, precise installation, as well as compliance with building codes – an important consideration!
2. Adding Energy-Efficient Windows
Advantages of Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient windows are designed to help maintain a consistent indoor temperature by minimizing the transfer of heat in all seasons.
This is done through innovative features like high-tech glazing, tinted or reflective finishes, low-emissivity (Low-E) glass or coatings, and insulated frames, all of which contribute to significant energy savings.
Window Types and Ratings
When shopping for energy-efficient windows, look for double-pane or triple-pane glass. The space between the panes is often filled with inert gasses like argon or krypton, which are denser than air, providing better insulation than a single pane.
Pro Tip - windows with Energy Star ratings and low U-values indicating their energy efficiency performance are often the smarter choice!
Installation Considerations
Proper installation is crucial for the effectiveness of energy-efficient windows. Ensure that windows are installed by certified professionals to prevent air leaks and ensure optimal performance. Additionally, consider conducting a home energy audit and retrofitting existing windows with energy-efficient upgrades where needed, if a full replacement is not in the budget.
3. Switching to Smart Thermostats
Why Switch to Smart Thermostats?
Smart thermostats provide more precise control over your home's HVAC system. Features like custom schedules and remote setpoint control help you to reduce the amount of energy your HVAC system uses without sacrificing your personal comfort. Better control translates to more efficient use of home energy, which results in cost savings on a home buyer’s future monthly electricity bill – it’s a win-win-win situation!
Upgrading to smart thermostats also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers who value smart home control and are willing to pay a premium to control their home HVAC using their preferred smart home platform or voice assistant, like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit.
Installation and Compatibility
Installing a smart thermostat is relatively straightforward, but the most important first step is always to check compatibility with your existing heating system. While many smart thermostats are designed for DIY installation, it’s always a good idea to consider professional installation if you are not comfortable with home wiring, or if regulations require it in your area.
Mysa customers in Canada now have the option to purchase a professional installation package at checkout! Learn more.
4. Adding Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps with Smart Control
Benefits of Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Ductless mini-split heat pumps are energy-efficient alternatives to traditional HVAC systems that can increase the value of your home considerably. Because heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, more and more homeowners are choosing them as an energy-efficient upgrade to deliver greater comfort, better energy savings, and increased ROI when selling their home.
Smart controllers for ductless mini-split heat pumps further enhance your ability to control your heating or cooling and use home energy more efficiently through smart app features like Scheduling, Geofencing, and more.
Choosing the Right System
There are a few things to consider when buying a ductless mini-split heat pump, like the size of the space, the unit’s energy efficiency ratings, and the number of indoor units needed. Look for systems with high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) ratings for optimal performance.
Pro Tip - to save more on your upfront costs, look for rebates or financial incentives on energy-efficient technology that may be available in your area!
Installation Process
Professional installation is recommended for ductless mini-split systems to ensure proper setup and operation. The installation process involves mounting the indoor units, connecting them to the outdoor unit, and ensuring the system is correctly charged and calibrated.
Investing in energy efficiency upgrades such as improved insulation, energy-efficient windows, smart thermostats, and ductless mini-split heat pumps can significantly enhance the value of your home by promising lower energy bills to future buyers, many of whom are willing to pay a premium for eco-conscious upgrades. By staying ahead of energy efficiency trends, you can ensure your home remains a valuable and sustainable asset for years to come.
Selling your home? Curious about which smart thermostats might help increase its value? Check your home’s compatibility with Mysa now!