Survey: More Homebuyers Want Energy-Efficient Homes

One of the top features home buyers are looking for is energy efficiency, according to a new survey from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A top priority for millennials, the survey found, was ENERGY STAR certifications, and 84 percent said they would pay up to 3 percent more for energy-efficient homes. The top features most likely to be included in new homes this year are low energy windows, ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and windows, and programmable thermostats, the survey found. Some buyers want more than that, though, which is driving an increase in the number of green homes being built. They include energy, water, and resource efficiency, better indoor environmental quality, and local, sustainable products and building materials. Nearly 25 percent of builders installed alternative energy-producing equipment in new construction last year, including geothermal heat pumps and solar panels. | Read More