Most Homebuyers Have Energy Efficiency in Their Most-Wanted List

Of the nearly 4,000 home buyers recently surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for its homebuyer preferences research, 94 percent included Energy Star appliances in their list of most wanted home features or characteristics, and 91 percent listed Energy-Star rating for the whole house.

Energy-Efficiency Features in Homebuyers’ Most-Wanted List

Energy Star-rated appliances — 94% of respondents
Energy Star rating for the whole house — 91%
Energy Star-rated windows — 89%
Ceiling fans — 88%

Other Features in Homebuyers’ Most-Wanted List

Laundry room — 93% of respondents
Exhaust fan in the bathroom — 90%
Exterior lighting — 90%
Garage storage — 89%
Table space for eating in the kitchen — 85%
Walk-in kitchen pantry — 85%

The NAHB report also said that most homebuyers want energy-efficient features, not so much because of the
desire to help the environment, but mostly to save on household energy costs. Sixty-seven percent of
respondents said they were concerned about the impact of homes on the environment but would not spend more
money to mitigate any negative impact. They’re willing, however, to pay several thousand dollars more to buy
a house that lets them save at least $ 1,000 yearly in utility costs. Seventy percent of respondents said
that they would consider projected utility costs in their home purchase decision-making.

Are There Tampa Bay Homes for Sale Which Are Energy-Star Certified?

Yes, as of April 16, 2016, based on the Florida MLS listings, there are 181 Tampa Bay homes for sale which are Energy-Star certified. They range in price from $ 130,000 to $ 4,150,000.

Energy Star certified homes in Tampa Bay — 181 homes, ranging from $ 130,000 to $ 4,150,000
With Energy Star windows — 307 homes, ranging from $ 108,000 to $ 3,750,000
With Energy Star refrigerators — 347 homes, ranging from $ 52,000 to $ 2,855,500
With Energy Star washers — 153 homes, ranging from $ 135,000 to $ 3,750,000
With Energy Star roof — 99 homes, ranging from $ 139,900 to $ 3,450,000

What Does Energy-Star certification mean?

A home is Energy Star certified if its Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index meets or exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star HERS Index Target. It means it meets or exceeds efficiency ratings for the following features:

Cooling equipment
Heating equipment
Envelope, windows and doors
Water heater
Thermostat and ductwork
Lighting and appliances

In addition, before a home is Energy Star certified, the following checklists and reports must be completed:
Rater Design Review Checklist and Rater Field Checklist
HVAC Design Report
HVAC Commissioning Checklist
Water Management System Builder Requirements

A home in certain states, including Florida, must be certified using regional specifications.

To summarize, an Energy Star certified home has the following:
1. High quality air sealing and insulation and high performance windows and doors
2. High-efficiency heating and cooling system
3. High-quality water management system that includes flashing, moisture barriers and heavy-duty membranes
4. Fresh-air system with high performance filter that improves indoor air quality and reduces dust, pollen and other allergens
5. Capability to provide energy savings of up to 30% compared to non-certified homes

Complete information on Energy Star can be found at the EPA Energy Star website energystar.gov.  Energy Star is a voluntary program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which aims to help businesses and homeowners save money and protect our climate through excellent energy efficiency efforts.

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