Lots of aspects of a property can have an impact on its sale value. From the number of bedrooms, to the quality of the plumbing and the roofing. Its very construction can even impact the value, with timber frame buildings often being cheaper than steel frame buildings built by local metal building contractors in your area. Factors of all kinds influence the eventual valuation. In recent years, another contending factor has arisen: how environmentally friendly is the design and construction of the building.

And while this may seem on the face of it like something that would only interest those property owners who consider themselves strong environmentalists, there’s actually a whole host of benefits available for homeowners of all kinds. An environmentally friendly building is likely to be far more energy efficient, for example, which keeps the occupier’s heating costs down.

Energy efficiency

By far the most appealing aspect of owning and living in an environmentally friendly home is that it delivers energy efficiency. Certain types of fixtures and fittings, for example, can deliver real cash savings when it comes to paying the energy bills. Solar panels, duct sealing, and roof insulation are good examples of how one area of the house can be efficient. So when you are replacing your roof with a Denver roofing contractor, that would be a good time to consider one or more of these upgrades.

But there are plenty more – especially in terms of materials used in the construction of windows and doors. If installed, they can help increase efficiency and subsequently your home’s sale price. When it comes to the sale value, it’s important to emphasize to any potential buyers that they can expect their energy costs to be lower than in a non-eco-friendly home.

While this will depend on the exact circumstances and energy use, it’s good for them to be aware that they can buy a home that is optimised for lower bills. Making sure the energy-efficient features are taken into an account during the home valuation process is important, and that requires professional RVA Surveyors who can also recommend the best value for money improvements one can make ot their property.

Energy performance statistics

Imagine you’re a buyer looking specifically for an energy-efficient home. How do you know the efficiency of a home at a glance? You might be able to detect double-glazed windows from the realtor’s website but you can’t use that method for other materials like insulation. However, if you consider looking at Sunward Steel Buildings in Utah for example, they can be highly energy-efficient when paired with proper insulation and energy-conscious design.. Due to the fact that extreme temperatures are common in Utah, such structures can be designed to meet or exceed local energy efficiency standards. These buildings can incorporate advanced insulation materials that minimize heat loss in winter and reduce heat gain in summer, leading to significant savings on energy costs. Additionally, Steel buildings can also be built to incorporate energy-efficient window options and they can be equipped with energy-efficient HVAC systems to optimize energy usage. Furthermore, steel buildings are often engineered to support renewable energy systems, such as solar panels, which can further enhance their energy performance.

This is where disclosing your home’s energy efficiency features come in, allowing you to show the estimated costs and efficiencies of your home at a glance. These differ between countries, in the US the Home Energy Score is used to determine and promote a building’s efficiency. In the UK, it’s mandatory for almost all buildings to have an energy performance certificate (or EPC) when being sold or rented.

In some ways, the main benefit of a strong efficiency score is that it’s an additional positive sign for potential buyers. Even if they don’t read it in full, it adds to the appeal of a property in any case. For homes that are not particularly energy-efficient, it could be worth emphasizing existing features or bills as much as you can. It acts as evidence that the cost of living there may be lower, so it’s worth ensuring the check is done properly.

At first glance, there may seem to be little extra value in an environmentally-friendly home. And while it’s true there are lots of factors that influence a home’s sale value, it’s definitely worth remembering that environmentally friendly building methods can actually add significant worth to a property.