Gifts for Homeowners: Top 10 Must-Have Items for Every New Home
Learn More
Do you want content like this delivered to your inbox?
Share
Share

Going Green: How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Chris Holm & Associates

We want you to know that our team is unique in the way we chose to approach real estate here in the North Okanagan.  We are a true real estate co...

We want you to know that our team is unique in the way we chose to approach real estate here in the North Okanagan.  We are a true real estate co...

Jun 13 6 minutes read

During the Okanagan summer, the weather is warm, and people spend more time outside. It's natural to think about how your house can be more energy-efficient when you're enjoying more of Mother Nature (and potentially paying more in energy bills).

Are you looking for a way to help reduce energy consumption and reduce your monthly bills? Simple changes to your lifestyle and a few home upgrades can help you make your home more energy-efficient. Not only will you do your part to conserve essential resources, but you’ll also save money! Now, that is one thing every homeowner is interested in.

Whether you’re looking to lower your personal costs or help make your home more attractive to sell, investing in energy-efficient changes benefits everyone. In 2022, real estate agents often find that many eco-conscious buyers are looking for homes that are prepared with many of the following energy-efficient equipment options.

Get started today with these simple measures to help you create an energy-efficient home in no time.

1. Upgrade Your Windows

Many homeowners ignore the importance of properly sealed windows in helping to conserve energy. Older or drafty windows are common culprits of expensive energy bills. While replacing your windows may be costly, it is a wise investment that will help you save money in the long term. If you’re planning on selling your home soon, you get the added benefit of having new windows as a major selling point to tell prospective buyers about.

2. Switch to a Tankless Water Heater

Today, many homeowners pass on traditional tanked water heaters and switch to tankless water heaters instead. A tankless version is far more energy-efficient, plus it will last much longer — a win-win in our book. Tankless water heaters can help significantly reduce your utility bills while also taking up far less space in your home. This is another smart investment in your home that will save energy and costs in the long run.

If you’re not ready to make the move to a tankless water heater, simply reducing the temperature of the water can also help to conserve energy. You can easily adjust the temperature on most traditional water heaters with the click of a button. If you can't figure out where to do this on your water heater, give a maintenance company or the manufacturer a shout.

3. Change to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Does your home have old and dated appliances that do not run well? When it’s time to replace an appliance in your home, choose one with superb energy ratings. Not only will you benefit from improved performance, but you will help to conserve energy. Outdated appliances are also an eyesore when trying to stage your home for prospective buyers, so this is another energy-saving update that will help you in the long run.

4. Consider Your Landscaping

Did you know small changes in the placement of your trees and shrubs can make a difference in your energy expenditure? Especially in older homes, we often see that good landscaping can help save energy. The shrubs or greenery serve as a barrier to block radiation that warms the home in the summer season, meaning less energy is required to cool it. In the winter, the branches help keep the heat inside the house. When buying or selling a home, pay close attention to its age and the placement of plants around its exterior.

5. Add Insulation

Poorly insulated homes can lead to drafts and uncomfortable rooms. Plus, insulation plays a vital role in helping reduce energy usage. Homes that are well insulated will retain heat better through the winter season. In the summer, less energy will be needed to cool the house. Insulation is an important consideration when buying or selling a home. Furthermore, it’s an important thing to tackle if you’re looking to simply reduce your energy usage over the long term.

6. Replace Your Bulbs

Remember, small changes can make a big difference in creating a greener, more energy-efficient home. Though it may seem like big projects make a more significant difference, small projects matter too. Replacing your light bulbs is a simple task that goes a long way. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can use up to three-quarters less energy than standard incandescent bulbs! This big difference goes a long way.

Steps Toward a Greener Tomorrow

Each step you take toward going green helps your wallet and the environment. Whether you’re looking to reduce consumption for a greener lifestyle or simply want to upgrade your home to sell, consider these ideas for a more energy-efficient home.

We post helpful content each week that will help ensure you know what to expect while buying or selling your next home.

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver our services. By continuing to visit this site, you agree to our use of cookies. More info

Terms of Use

This website is operated by Chris Holm Associates/Chris Holm, REALTOR®, a Salesperson who is a member of The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). The content on this website is owned or controlled by CREA. By accessing this website, the user agrees to be bound by these terms of use as amended from time to time, and agrees that these terms of use constitute a binding contract between the user, Chris Holm Associates/Chris Holm, REALTOR®, and CREA.

Copyright

The content on this website is protected by copyright and other laws, and is intended solely for the private, non-commercial use by individuals. Any other reproduction, distribution or use of the content, in whole or in part, is specifically prohibited. Prohibited uses include commercial use, “screen scraping”, “database scraping”, and any other activity intended to collect, store, reorganize or manipulate the content of this website.

Trademarks

REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are certification marks that are owned by REALTOR® Canada Inc. and licensed exclusively to The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). These certification marks identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA and who must abide by CREA’s By-Laws, Rules, and the REALTOR® Code. The MLS® trademark and the MLS® logo are owned by CREA and identify the professional real estate services provided by members of CREA.

Liability and Warranty Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is based in whole or in part on information that is provided by members of CREA, who are responsible for its accuracy. CREA reproduces and distributes this information as a service for its members, and assumes no responsibility for its completeness or accuracy.

Amendments

Chris Holm Associates/Chris Holm, REALTOR® may at any time amend these Terms of Use by updating this posting. All users of this site are bound by these amendments should they wish to continue accessing the website, and should therefore periodically visit this page to review any and all such amendments.