Green-living is in high demand right now, and homebuyers are willing to pay almost 3% more for homes for sale in Culver City with eco-friendly features. Homes with energy-efficient features also sell faster than comparable homes without eco-friendly features. When people think about eco-friendly design, they may conjure images of solar panel roofs. While solar panels are a great option for providing green energy and energy during blackouts, they are expensive and a major change to your home.
Luckily, there are some minor remodels that you can do to your home to provide a big impact. There are ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home and make it more eco-friendly without doing an invasive remodel to include solar panels. Keep reading to learn more about six eco-friendly upgrades for your home.
1. Skylights
Many of the new skylights can be opened with remote control access, which is a great feature to add fresh air to the home.The remote-controlled skylights are more expensive, but they are also the best choice for adding luxury to houses for sale in Hawthorne. To up the luxury even more, opt for a solar power skylight. Be sure to choose Energy Star-certified skylights that do not leak.
2. Tankless water heater
The reason it saves so much energy is that it isn’t storing water and keeping it hot. Instead, they heat or cool your water as you need it. Tankless water heaters last about 20 years, which is longer than traditional water heaters. They also take up a lot less space. Another thing you will never need to worry about with a tankless system is flooding, as traditional water heaters can break down and dump 40 to 120 gallons of water on your floor, resulting in water damage to your home.
3. Radiant bathroom floor heating
How much it will save you in energy costs depends on how much it allows you to turn down the heat. Ideally, you should be able to turn the heat down a little more at night since you won’t have to worry about stepping on cold tile first thing in the morning. When it comes time to replace your tile, you may want to consider adding heated floors to your home to appeal to eco-friendly prospective buyers.
4. Energy-efficient exterior doors
New doors typically include a magnetic strip to create a tight seal around the door. The most energy-efficient options are fiberglass and steel. Fiberglass, wood cladding, and steel with polyurethane foam core are among the most energy-efficient door materials due to their improved core. Fiberglass doors mimic the look of authentic wood doors, so they are often more visually appealing on houses for sale in Hawthorne. They are best for humid climates and areas that get really cold because they don’t sweat when exposed to heat or moisture. Steel doors are stronger and more resistant to intruders. The average cost of a new fiberglass door with installation is $3,200, and it will provide a 77% return on your investment.
5. Sustainable garage doors
Look for those made with non-toxic insulation, and ask your contractor to use environmentally friendly products. Because the garage door has a lot of visual dominance on your home, installing a new, modern garage door provides a 90% return on your investment. With the average garage door only costing around $1,800, it is a great way to boost the appeal of your property when listing among the homes for sale in Culver City.
6. Non-toxic carpet
It reduces noise in the home, and they provide a literal “warm and fuzzy” feeling to your home and for you to walk on. Carpets also help conserve energy because they hold in warmth during the winter.
Luckily, there is a growing variety of eco-friendly, non-toxic carpet choices available. Look for natural fibers like wool, jute, seagrass, or sisal and a “low VOC” label. Felt padding is best since it isn’t petroleum-based. If an adhesive is required for installing the carpet, ask your contractor to use water-based, low-VOC glues.
The realtors on Bill Ruane’s Team are happy to assist you with choosing the best remodeling ideas for your ROI. They are experienced with helping homeowners and investors find the best real estate for their needs.
*Header credit: Talkdecor