Top 7 Energy-Efficient Upgrades for Your Fresno Home

Now more than ever, energy efficiency is critically important to homeowners and prospective buyers looking at homes for sale in Fresno. It’s no surprise why, either; having an energy-efficient home reduces pollutant emissions, cuts down on energy demand, and lowers energy costs for those paying the bills. Many homes for sale on the Fresno real estate scene now feature cutting-edge, energy-efficient appliances that attract environmentally conscious and technology-savvy homebuyers.

As the housing market in the Fresno area cools off, and buyers become pickier about their future residences, increasing the energy efficiency of your home can help it stand out against a sea of other properties. Plus, even if you don’t plan on selling anytime soon, upgrading your home means you can reap the benefits of energy efficiency and help care for the environment at the same time.

Interested? Here are some ways you can upgrade your home to make it as energy-efficient as possible, including a few lesser-known enhancements that are sure to make a significant impact.

The easiest change to make toward improved energy efficiency is switching out the lighting throughout your home. Swapping out old, worn-out, incandescent bulbs for new LED bulbs will instantly reduce energy consumption, as LEDs use a whopping 90% less energy than incandescents. Since lighting makes up an average of 15% of a household’s energy use, this simple swap can result in significant savings in the long run. Setting up timers and dimmers in conjunction with LED lights can decrease your energy consumption even further.

Another upgrade that contributes to the energy efficiency of your Fresno home is newer appliances. From basic energy-saving appliances, such as refrigerators and dishwashers, to modern advancements like thermoelectric cooling, there are many enhancements available to up the ante of your home’s efficiency.

Not only do these upgrades make a home more energy-efficient, but they also result in savings and buying incentives as well. A March 2021 survey by the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) found that Energy-Star-rated appliances are on the wishlist of 81% of homebuyers. In addition, 57% of homebuyers were willing to pay $5,000 or more on a home’s purchase price if it meant they could save $1,000 each year on utility bills.

Translation? Upgrading your appliances to energy-efficient models is likely to lead to more buyer interest and higher offers.

From modern homes to charming colonial-style properties, you’ll find smart technology popping up in all kinds of places. Smart technology not only increases the value of a home and makes life easier for its residents, but it also contributes to its energy efficiency.

For example, a smart thermostat that adjusts itself and minimizes inefficiencies decreases energy consumption without you having to take action. As an added bonus, homes that feature smart technology typically secure higher prices and are more appealing to environmentally-aware homebuyers.

An ever-increasing number of prospective buyers are leaning toward homes equipped with smart technology. Smart appliances that can connect to your in-home network and reduce energy consumption include smart refrigerators, thermostats, HVAC systems, lights, and even some plant watering systems. For example, a smart thermostat can turn on the A/C or heat depending on the thermostat or according to a specific schedule, all of which is controlled with your phone. Enhancing your home with smart tech features like these will cut down your energy costs, reduce strain on the California energy grid, and draw in even more prospective buyers.

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when discussing energy efficiency and home value, insulation is a major contributing factor. Replacing your home’s insulation helps prevent air from escaping or coming in, which in turn reduces your heating and cooling costs. Even just reinsulating a home’s attic has been proven to return about 116% on the investment in energy cost savings.

A “cool roof” isn’t named for its looks. Rather, it’s named for its sunlight-reflecting properties. A cool roof is usually white or another highly reflective color and is designed to reflect light away from your home. In turn, the roof will absorb less energy from the sun. Replacing your roof with a cool roof can reduce surface temperatures by up to 50 degrees during the summer, which can result in a hefty reduction in the air conditioning bill.

Much like insulation, your home’s windows are another place where air can escape or enter. This movement of air can increase heating, cooling, and even lighting costs while simultaneously decreasing energy efficiency. Replacing windows with newer, more tightly fitting options can solve this problem and give your home a boost in energy efficiency. Energy-Star-rated windows are also one of the most important upgrades buyers are looking for in a new property, ranking in the top four features for 83% of buyers.

Give the HVAC system a facelift to see an increase in both the value and energy efficiency of your home. While this can be an expensive project, it offers a significant return on investment. Energy Star reports that you can reduce energy costs by approximately 30% when you replace an HVAC system that is more than 12 years old.

When it comes to energy efficiency, these upgrades will elevate your home significantly and boost its appeal. Whether you plan on enjoying your new improvements yourself or listing your property on the Fresno real estate market, energy-efficient enhancements are worth the effort. From swapping out your light fixtures to implementing cutting-edge technology in your kitchen, these updates make a difference. If you’re hoping to make moves on the Fresno housing scene, Todd Earnhart can guide you further on increasing your home’s appeal and enjoying a streamlined selling journey. Reach out to Todd when you’re ready to get the results you’ve been hoping for.