Go Green to Help the Environment and Increase Home Value

Now is the time to start thinking seriously about home improvements, especially when it comes to energy savings. The government’s stimulus package includes The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is available to the general public for tax credit when they make energy efficient improvements to their homes. A tax credit of 30% is available when that improvement includes insulation, as well as the substantial savings realized from having lower heating and cooling bills because of the improvement.

There is a myriad of small inexpensive ways of reducing heating and cooling bills, from insulation to caulk and weather stripping. Eco-friendly homes can be more marketable than a similar traditional home. Buyers are more conscious now than ever about the cost of energy, and eco-friendly homes make for a long term energy savings.

In dollars and cents, many experts have found that an eco-friendly home sells for 10 to 15 percent premium than traditional homes. Combine that with the tax credit, in fiscal terms upgrading a home to be eco-friendly can result in a significant increase in sales price. In addition, with the rising price of energy, eco-friendly home demand will continue to rise.