Why should you consider green energy in your home?

What is green energy, and why has it become so popular? These environmental investments are gaining traction in homes as we continue to search for ways to battle the climate crisis and reduce our carbon footprint. However, you may be wondering if this is something you should consider for your home, or if it should influence you as a home buyer. Here are the benefits of using green energy, and some examples of what this means in a house!

Environmental benefits 

Green energy is most obviously associated with helping the environment. This means home owners who implement green energy solutions are playing a role in sustainability as well. Green energy is also known as renewable energy, which means it gains its power from a source that is naturally occurring and not harmful to the environment. For example, the sun can be a powerful source of energy, as can the wind, or even water. These sources are not man-made and do not harm the environment on their own. However, many sources of energy include oil, gas, coal, and other harsh elements. Excessive use of these resources has led to several climate and environmental crises and damage. Green energy can do all the same things as non-renewable energy, but with a much lighter impact. This makes it quite beneficial to use in the home!

Reduced long-term costs 

Setting up green energy solutions in your home can have a higher upfront cost than non-renewable sources. Since these products are still developing and are relatively new, they can be pricey to install. However, from that point on, your long-term costs will likely decrease. Remember, the goal of these products is to make a lighter impact on the environment, which involves efficient energy consumption. This means your home will be powered by something that aims to use energy as smartly as possible. The less energy you use, the lower your household costs will be. For example, if you switched to a smart thermostat, you wouldn’t have to manually maintain your home’s temperature for optimal heating and cooling. Your thermostat can do this for you in a way that keeps your home comfortable. This constant monitoring of the home will ensure no energy is wasted, and no money unnecessarily spent!

Appeal to buyers

Green energy is becoming increasingly popular as people become more concerned about the environment, and are looking for ways to do their part. If you decide to sell your home in the future, having green energy solutions can be a big attraction to many buyers. As we mentioned above, these can be expensive products to install in the short term. Buyers who can avoid these costs and immediately benefit from green energy will often be happy to do so. For you, this increased value in your property can be considered when setting the asking price of your home. In many cases, it’s a win-win for buyers and sellers! 

What are some examples?

So, what can you do in your home to make it more eco-friendly? There are many ways to go green, both big and small. One of the most major projects is to install solar panels on your roof. These absorb the sun’s rays, turning them into the energy needed to power your home. This cuts down on the need for non-renewable energy sources. Another popular investment is the smart thermostat. As we discussed earlier, this cools and heats your house using automatic sensors that don’t require manual input. This allows for the most efficient use of energy in the home! 

Going green doesn’t have to involve expensive green energy projects, either. You can start small by making adjustments in your day-to-day life. For example, using eco-friendly cleaning products, reusable water bottles and containers, and reducing water and hydro consumption where possible are all good spots to start. 

Green energy is bound to increase in popularity and accessibility over time. Before you make the decision to buy or sell a home, regardless of its investment in eco-friendly products, you should reach out to a mortgage broker. We can get you set up for success in the housing market with the perfect mortgage product, leaving you free to find the home of your dreams!

If you have any questions about your mortgage, get in touch with us at Clinton Wilkins Mortgage Team! You can contact us at (902) 482-2770 or contact us here.