Earth Day Survey Reveals Best Green Home Improvements

Posted under Blog by Ruth

A new survey that was set up to coincide with Earth Day last week has highlighted the home improvements than can give you the biggest energy efficient boost as well as those that can increase the value of your property the most when it comes time to sell.

The survey was conducted by HomeGain who asked 1,000 US professionals in real estate for information.

The survey found that 65 percent of real estate experts believe planting trees and shrubs is one of the best green upgrades.

This is one of the cheapest measures, costing under £100 and can add almost three times this value when it comes time to sell up.

However, beyond the aesthetics of trees in the garden, it’s also important to look at the inside of the property to make it more energy efficient. Some of the top measures included replacing standard lightbulbs with LEDs, using strips that automatically turn off appliances that have been left on standby.

Heating is also a huge issue, where measures such as double glazing can reduce the amount of heat lost from the home, and programmable thermostats can give homeowners more control over when their heating comes on and goes off.

General manager of HomeGain, Louis Cammarosano, said that ‘Buyers want energy efficient homes and appreciate the aesthetics of natural vegetation and are willing to pay for these features’.

A survey was also taken by the Royal Institute of British Architects and Shelter, showing that 12 percent of households in the UK with planned home improvements are looking to make the property more energy efficient.