Is It Worth it to Purchase a Green Home in Washington?

The popularity of energy-efficient homes has been on the rise for several years now. Many Washington homebuyers have been searching for energy-efficient properties. If you are considering purchasing a home in western Washington you may be wondering too if it is worth considering purchasing an energy-efficient home.

What is a "Green Home"

A "green" home, also known as an eco-friendly or sustainable home, is a residential building designed and constructed to have minimal negative impact on the environment and maximum energy efficiency. Green homes aim to reduce energy consumption, minimize waste, and utilize renewable resources whenever possible. Here are some key features and principles typically associated with green homes:

1. Energy efficiency: Green homes employ various strategies to reduce energy consumption, such as effective insulation, high-performance windows, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting. They may also incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines to generate clean energy on-site.

2. Water conservation: These homes often incorporate water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as efficient irrigation systems for landscaping. Rainwater harvesting systems may be implemented to collect and reuse rainwater for non-potable purposes like irrigation or toilet flushing.

3. Sustainable materials: Green homes prioritize the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials. This may include materials with low embodied energy, like bamboo or reclaimed wood, as well as recycled or recyclable materials. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of the construction process and promote the use of renewable resources.

4. Indoor air quality: Green homes focus on providing excellent indoor air quality for occupants. This involves using non-toxic paints, finishes, and adhesives, as well as proper ventilation systems to minimize indoor air pollutants. Additionally, incorporating ample natural lighting and introducing plants can improve air quality and enhance the overall comfort of the residents.

5. Waste reduction and recycling: Green homes aim to minimize waste during construction and encourage recycling practices. This can involve utilizing construction techniques that generate less waste, promoting recycling of materials, and incorporating designated areas for waste sorting and composting.

6. Passive design strategies: Passive design principles are utilized to optimize the home's natural heating, cooling, and lighting. This may include features like strategic window placement for daylighting and natural ventilation, as well as shading elements to reduce heat gain in warm climates and maximize solar gain in colder climates.

7. Sustainable landscaping: Green homes often extend their eco-friendly practices to the surrounding landscape. This may involve utilizing native plants that require less water and maintenance, installing efficient irrigation systems, and incorporating permeable surfaces to reduce stormwater runoff.

Reasons to Consider the Purchase of an Energy-Efficient Home

The cost of energy to run a home has increased in the last year

Overall across the country energy prices have risen 41.6% which is quite a significant increase. The cost of electricity has risen 13.7% on average across the nation. The average national natural gas prices have shown to have increased by 38.4%.

Energy-efficient homes have been shown to use significantly less and save homeowners money

Finding a home with energy-efficient features is not just a nice added feature. Some homes have been shown to save homeowners a significant amount of money on the costs of their utility bills. In some cases, homeowners with the most energy-saving features have saved half or more on their energy costs.

Adding energy-efficient features can save at tax time

If you do not have energy-efficient features in your home and add them in there can be some significant tax credit benefits. It is worth looking into the benefit of installing items like solar panels and heat pumps as well as battery storage. Adding these features could be a significant tax benefit as well as help to save money on your energy bills.

What to look for in an energy-efficient home

Some energy-efficient features are more helpful than others. When it comes to looking for energy-efficient features in a home that will truly help you to save money on energy bills you want to look for the features that will help to conserve the largest amount of energy.

These features include smart thermostats, efficient air conditioners, insulated windows, whole-house fans, and radiant barriers. These are the green features within homes that make the biggest impact on energy consumption within a residential home.

Finding a home in Everett or anywhere in Western Washington with energy-efficient features can be truly beneficial. It is a good idea to talk over with a local real estate agent your homebuying goals to help find a home that meets your wants and your needs. It can be worth the extra home value to purchase a home with these features as the cost of energy increases.