High End "Green" Homes

As more buyers look to reduce their carbon footprint, eco-friendly or “green” amenities are a must, especially in high-end homes. But this is more than just having energy-saving light bulbs. For many, “going green” means going high tech, and sellers should take note of these trends as they become more and more common in high-end real estate.

Here’s a look at what’s new and improving in the way of green.

SMART HOMES

Smart homes are becoming the norm across the high-end real estate market. Voice activated and app directed commands allow you to adjust indoor and outdoor lighting as well as heating, cooling, watering, and washing. Take advantage of non-peak hours and control electrical usage while out of town.

DECONSTRUCTED DESIGN

Deconstruction is a concept that utilizes recycled raw materials. This trend is toward more authentic, natural materials such as exposed wood, metal, and brick. It is an exposed style of un-building reminiscent of the ’90s, but with a more refined and green edge to it through its emphasis on reuse, salvaged and donated materials. By mixing in more green materials such as quick-growing bamboo, you can add even add “newer” natural materials to the mix.

BETTER ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE

Smart tech is making life easier, cleaner, and cheaper. More efficient batteries are making electrical storage more effective while microgrids allow you to use and buy electricity from off-grid sources, making it easier to take advantage of more clean energy than ever before. Solar technology and the selling benefits they provide make electricity increasingly cheaper for you as a homeowner. Upper-tier home buyers are looking for more than just your typical solar panel. Innovations like Tesla’s solar panel roof tiles are the type of high-tech upgrades that catch the eye of those luxury buyers.

INSTALL AN ENERGY MONITOR

One of the easiest things you can do to decrease energy consumption around the house is to install an energy monitor. Household energy monitors are easy to use and inexpensive, and allow you to see a minute by minute presentation of your energy use. These devices work by clipping onto the power cable coming into your home and transmitting a wireless signal to a display that shows precisely the amount of power being consumed. In studies conducted in the British Isles, households with energy monitors saved between 10 to 15% annually by instituting the simple and inexpensive device.

INSTALL A WIND GENERATOR

Did you know that you can actually purchase smaller versions of these massive power generators? The costs of a home wind generator vary greatly. Some have built their own wind generators with off-the-shelf parts from their local hardware stores. Others have purchased kits or paid for professional installation to supplement the power purchased from their local electrical grid. Many kit based generators will produce only enough power to offset 10-15% of your home energy costs.

With careful planning and wise material choices, you can design an eco-friendly home that’s not only gentler on the planet, but that will help you save on energy bills in the long run.

Interested in remodeling your home to sell or positioning your already green home to buyers? Consult with one of our agents today.