Going Green Without Giving Up Too Much Green

If you are interested in putting your home on the market, it is important to do as much as possible to make the home attractive to potential buyers. One way to accomplish this goal is to make your home eco-friendly. While some eco-friendly modifications can be quite costly, there are several options available that won’t cost too much to implement. Even better, they can actually increase the value of your home and help you get it sold more quickly. Here’s a look at a few of the eco-friendly changes you can make to your home in order to increase its value.

Eco-Friendly Tip #1: Install a New Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat is an attractive change that will certainly please any potential homebuyer. This is because a programmable thermostat makes it easier to adjust the temperature throughout the day and night. With the help of a programmable thermostat, the homebuyer can set the thermostat to turn down or up while away at work or while sleeping, which could help save up to 5% on the gas and electric bill.

Eco-Friendly Tip #2: Install New Appliances

Updating your appliances is a good way to add value to your home. When selecting new appliances, look for ones that are EnergyStar rated. EnergyStar appliances can potentially save hundreds of dollars every year in the energy that is saved. Obviously, this will be looked upon favorably by potential buyers.

Eco-Friendly Tip #3: Replace Insulation

If your insulation has become damaged or has been compressed, it is a good idea to replace it before you put your home on the market. Not only will this help to improve your home’s energy efficiency rating, it will also reduce your chances of having problems with your home inspection. As a general rule of thumb, more insulation should be added if you have less than six inches of cellulose insulation or less than seven inches of fiber glass insulation in your home. You can further reduce heating costs by placing an insulating jacket around your hot water heater and pipes.

Eco-Friendly Tip #4: Install a Low-Flow Toilet

Installing a low-flow toilet is generally a simple task, as all of the necessary piping should already be in place. Not only will this update help to give your bathroom a fresh, clean look, but potential buyers will be pleased by the water savings that these toilets provide.

Eco-Friendly Tip #5: Replace Your Faucets

Replacing your faucets with a water-efficient version will also be viewed favorably by potential buyers. The variety of water-efficient faucets available today is quite impressive, so don’t think you need to skip out on the extras in order to save on water.

About the Author: Brian Kinkade is a broker and team lead with Brokers Guild – Cherry Creek Ltd, one of Denver’s fastest growing full service Denver real estate firm. Brian’s team of Internet savvy agents service the Denver Metro area while specializing in Denver luxury homes, and Colorado horse property.