While beautiful gardens and an immaculately maintained home can be real selling points when it comes to your property, increasingly buyers and even renters are also looking for some energy efficiency in the homes they consider.
These green credentials are attractive because of the long-term savings and lifestyle they offer. So let’s take a look at five energy efficiency strategies that could be a drawcard for your home.
Solar panels
Installing solar panels is a hugely effective way of reducing energy costs within a home, and they’ve been a popular option for home owners for the past 10 years.
The main benefit of solar panels is that they allow a home to generate its own electricity, reducing the amount that is drawn from the grid.
Resources and Energy NSW notes: “When you install a solar PV system with a net meter, your home uses the electricity produced by the panels at the time the electricity is generated. Any additional electricity you generate but don’t use is fed back into the main electricity grid”.
“In NSW, customers can connect a solar PV system of less than 10 kilowatts to the electricity grid. Over 350,000 households in NSW have installed solar PV systems.”
In some cases retailers even offer a payment for the excess energy a home generates but does not consume, and there may be rebates available for the purchase and installation of panels.
Insulation
One of the easiest and most effective ways of reducing energy required for heating or cooling a home is to look to your insulation, especially if your home is slightly older.
Good roof insulation reduces the amount of heat entering your home when it’s hot, and retains warmth when it’s cold, and there are a host of insulation alternatives available to consider.
These include foil, wool, loose fill, and batts, with environmentally friendly options among the vast selection.
The best thing about insulation is that it’s relatively easy to retrofit, and the difference can be remarkable.
Efficient fittings
From installing ceiling fans to water efficient shower heads, the type of fittings and appliances you use within your home can add up to significant cost savings in terms of power and water supply.
Ceiling fans require a lot less electricity than running an air-conditioner so should be a consideration for cooling the home.
Meanwhile, efficient shower heads, toilets and tap mixers allow you to reduce water usage. The government has introduced a star rating scheme for water efficiency entitled Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) so keep an eye out for fittings and appliances with higher star numbers.
Curtains and blinds
Many property owners fail to appreciate the energy efficiency that can be generated simply through curtains and blinds.
Good quality window furnishings help retain heat in winter and keep in the cool during summer by blocking the direct heat of sunshine.
Landscaping
Beyond the interior of the home, landscaping can play a major role in keeping a house cool or warm. Simple additions like trees that block direct sunshine to areas of the house in summer can help keep a home cool, as can items like shade sails or patios.
Meanwhile, in cooler climates ensure evergreen trees are planted further from the house to allow in winter sunshine.
Small things can make a big difference when it comes to the energy consumption of a home. Together they can also add up to be a massive drawcard for buyers and renters, making it a worthwhile investment in this energy conscious day and age.
About United Strata
Specialising in the Macarthur region, United Strata offers professional yet personalised service for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants alike.
You can learn more about our services here, or contact us directly for further advice.