What Are the Top Energy Conservation Solutions Buyers Look For in a Home

With energy efficiency and awareness for our environment becoming more and more important and sought after in real estate, many people who are currently in the home-buying stage have energy conservation as a high priority on their house hunting checklist. When it comes to energy efficiency, there are several different things that can be done in homes now that make them energy efficient. For sellers who are looking to implement some energy conservation solutions in their homes before putting them on the market, it can sometimes be hard to narrow down exactly what solutions are going to be most beneficial.

We reached out to our RE/MAX Influencers – a panel of RE/MAX sales associates throughout Canada – to narrow some of the top energy efficiency solutions that buyers are looking for in a home.

Heat Conservation Solutions

When it comes to heat conservation, there are many solutions that can be implemented in your home that will be a benefit to potential buyers. Some of the top solutions that were noted by the RE/MAX Influencers included double/triple pane windows, a heat recovery ventilator, furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps, as well as insulation, caulking and weather stripping.

Some of these solutions, such as the double/triple pane windows and the furnace, air conditioner and heat pumps are more costly than others, but they allow for a higher ROI when it comes time for resale of the home. Solutions such as insulation, caulking and weather stripping are smaller, often lower cost solutions, but can make just as big of a difference when it comes to energy efficiency.

Energy Conservation Solutions

The solutions suggested by the RE/MAX Influencers panel for energy efficiency included efficient appliances, solar energy, LED lights and EV chargers. While solar energy might be a bit more of an investment to get installed in your home, it has great ROI potential. LED lights are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to provide some energy efficiency to your home.

With the rise of electric vehicles on the market, installing an EV charger is also a great way to appeal to buyers who are looking for energy efficiency. Another easy solution is to replace old, existing appliances with energy efficient appliances that will help potential buyers save on their energy bills!

Water Conservation Solutions

Some of the water conservation solutions that were suggested by our RE/MAX Influencers included tank-less water heaters and low flow toilets and shower heads. These are all great solutions to implement into your home prior to selling that can help attract potential buyers. While something like a tank-less water heater is a more expensive solution, it will give you great ROI when it comes to selling your home.

Low flow toilets and shower heads are easy replacements that are relatively inexpensive when it comes to energy conservation solutions. While they may be smaller and less expensive than replacing a water tank, they can have a significant impact on energy efficiency and water conservation in your home.

For more information on these energy conservation solutions, check out these sources: Natural Resources Canada and EcoHome.

This article was originally published on February 1, 2020 by RE/MAX Influencers from RE/MAX Integra