When it comes to buying a house and having to think about mortgages, locations and school districts, the stress level seems to increase. With an estimated 16% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions being generated from the energy used in houses nationwide to contribute to the smog, acid rain and global warming, making sure your house minimizes environmental harm is something else to consider. One way to make sure your house doesn’t contribute to the pollution is by purchasing an Energy Star labeled house.
If you’re looking at buying a new house, these government approved homes are a beneficial investment. For one, Energy Star protects the environment from the energy in our homes that generates a great deal of air pollution. Additional perks for Energy Star homeowners include confidence in the product that is easily identified as energy efficient. Owners of an Energy Star home save money over time. Different than a standard home, these cost substantially less for energy, heating, cooling, and water-heating. There is an estimated $200-$400 in savings every year. Let’s do the math–if you live in the house for an average of 7-8 years, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utilities.
Better performance is also a benefit of buying an energy star home. With energy-efficient improvements, there is better protection against weather, pollution and noise. An energy-efficient home ensures consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality and greater durability.
Essentially, these homes are smart investments and will increase in value by the time you are ready to sell. More than 8,500 home builders have partnered with the EPA to create more than 1 million Energy Star qualified homes. While the price tag may seem to be more expensive, Energy Star homes save money–future expenses can go towards redecorating instead of utilities.
