At Robbins Realty Group, we wouldn’t be a true Oregon real estate agency without giving our insight and support on energy-efficient home upgrades. (Think green!)

You might already be doing your part to promote eco-friendly practices—recycling, shopping secondhand, and conserving water whenever possible. Hooray! These small habits go a long way in supporting sustainability.

Did you know that making energy-efficient home upgrades is another way you can support sustainability? Not only that, but these upgrades can increase your home’s comfort, lower energy bills, and boost its market appeal. Talk about a quadruple win!

Whether or not you’re currently looking to sell your home, there are many reasons to improve its energy-efficient features. Here are three steps you can take when considering what energy-efficient upgrades you may want to make:

Step 1: Determine Your Home’s Current Energy Use

When you pay your monthly energy bill, do you know how much of what you’re paying might actually be going to waste?

The U.S. Department of Energy reports, “of the $2,000 the average American spends paying for energy annually, $200 to $400 could be going to waste from drafts, air leaks around openings, and outdated heating and cooling systems.”

To determine your home’s current energy use, you can hire an energy professional to perform a home energy audit or assessment. They will help you identify where your money is being lost and what energy upgrades may benefit you.

The energy professional will use an infrared camera to discover where any air leaks or drafts might be coming from in your home. They will also check your home’s insulation and any appliances that may contribute to your home’s energy consumption.

You can also do a basic home energy assessment on your own. While this is more cost-effective, it won’t be as extensive or accurate as a professional audit. You can start by feeling around for air drafts, inspecting your home’s insulation, and evaluating your appliances, lighting, and HVAC systems.

After the assessment, you’ll have a better sense of your home’s current energy use and can move on to step two.

Step 2: Choose Which Energy-Efficient Upgrades to Make in Your Home

There are many things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient. Depending on your home energy audit, you can better determine which upgrade(s) to start with.

Here are ten common improvements you might consider making:

• Upgrade your insulation
• Get your home professionally air-sealed
• Switch to a smart thermostat
• Upgrade to energy-efficient windows
• Upgrade your heating and cooling systems
• Install an energy-efficient hot water heater
• Upgrade your household appliances to Energy Star-rated appliances (certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet strict energy efficiency standards)
• Upgrade your lighting to be more energy-efficient
• Clean or replace the air filters in your HVAC system
• Utilize home energy rebates

Step 3: Complete the Upgrades and Reap the Benefits!

Now that you’ve decided which upgrades you want to start with, you can either choose to put on your gloves (and safety goggles) and get to DIYing, or hire a professional to help you out.

You might not be able to update everything all at once, but little by little, you can make significant energy-efficient upgrades.

Ultimately, these changes will help you create a more eco-friendly, comfortable, cost-effective, and marketable home! And who wouldn’t want all that?

Looking for more ways to improve your home’s value and efficiency? Check out these helpful resources:

• Your Home Could Be Worth More Than You Think!
• 5 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value Before 2025
• Your Year-Round Home Maintenance Checklist Starts Now

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home with energy-efficient features, contact us today to learn more!