Eco-friendly options are becoming increasingly prominent across industries, including plumbing. Homeowners are increasingly interested in sustainable, eco-friendly options for their homes, and plumbing upgrades are a top contender for the sustainable changes they are making. Plumbing upgrades can have a positive impact by reducing utility bills and energy use and by lowering environmental impact. When we look at these upgrades, there are two main benefits homeowners get: saving money and increasing their home’s value or resale value. Let’s explore what the top eco-friendly plumbing upgrades are that can increase home value.
Why Does Eco-Friendly Plumbing Matter for Home Value?
When you think about eco-friendly choices, plumbing might not be the first area that you’d think about. However, many eco-friendly plumbing options support the need for energy and water-efficient homes. On top of this, there has been a growing trend of buyers willing to pay more for homes with more sustainable features, which is an incentive for them. The benefits are widespread, including utility savings, potential tax incentives, rebates, and certifications, all of which are part of the positive effects of choosing eco-friendly plumbing options. Ultimately, eco-friendly plumbing options are both sustainable and beneficial, increasing home value and providing additional resale incentives.
Eco-Friendly Upgrades for Your Home
Many different eco-friendly options for our home will help to increase home value while staying sustainable. Plumbing is an area where many sustainable options are available, making it an easy choice for upgrades. Here is a look at the top eco-friendly upgrades for your home to increase home value while staying sustainable.
Low-Flow Fixtures
Low-flow fixtures are a great way to maximize efficiency and reduce water usage. Because many plumbing fixtures have water flow, adjusting this flow is a great way to make your home more sustainable while upgrading to new fixtures. Low-flow toilets can reduce water usage without sacrificing performance, helping lower your water bill. Low-flow showerheads or faucets are a great way to maximize efficiency and even increase appeal in kitchens and bathrooms. The addition of these low-flow options increases long-term home value and gives a sustainability incentive to potential buyers.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are becoming a popular choice even for new builds because of the energy and water savings they offer. A tankless water heater provides on-demand water, rather than a tank that holds water, as is traditionally used. Additionally, this type of water heater saves space and has a longer lifespan with less maintenance.
Eco-Friendly Piping
You might not be thinking about the plumbing piping structures, but there is an opportunity here as well to make sustainable decisions. Piping materials like copper or PEX are sustainable options that can last a long time, be leak-resistant, and reduce your environmental impact. Home buyers often look into a home’s details, including unseen areas like plumbing pipes, making these sustainable upgrades a buyer incentive.
Water-Saving Appliances
Dishwashers and washing machines both use water, making this an ideal area to choose water-saving options. Sustainable, eco-friendly dishwashers and washing machines, or smart appliances, are a great option here. To maximize efficiency in your plumbing systems, it’s important to upgrade plumbing fixtures and appliances to ensure every area that runs water is eco-friendly and water-saving.
Greywater Systems
Greywater systems are a great way to save water in your home by reusing water from sinks and showers. This option is an easy upgrade that benefits new buyers and positively impacts long-term sustainability and even curb appeal.
Smart Home Water Monitoring
With advances in technology, smart home water monitoring systems can be a great benefit to homeowners. These smart systems include leak detection, smart meters, and water-use monitoring so that you can be more aware of your water-use habits and their effects. Choosing this can lead to environmental benefits, such as a lower carbon footprint and reduced water waste.
How Eco-Friendly Plumbing Options Can Increase Home Value
There are many reasons choosing an eco-friendly plumbing option can increase your home’s resale value, making it a great option if you’re looking for eco-friendly upgrades that add value. Here’s a look at how these options directly increase home value:
Higher Sale Prices
Having new fixtures and appliances already will increase home value, but homes with “green features” often will also sell above market value compared to similar homes without “green features.
Utility Cost Breakdown
Buyers are often attracted to homes with predictable utility costs or lower energy bills, as well as to energy-friendly options. Lower utility bills, even with a higher home value, are an incentive for buyers to choose your home over others.
Buyer Incentive for Sustainability
Buyers, and people in general, are becoming more eco-conscious, meaning they are paying attention to ways to be more sustainable and eco-friendly. Eco-friendly plumbing upgrades motivate buyers to make an offer and show that the sellers are forward-thinking when it comes to sustainability.
Adding Credibility
With eco-friendly upgrades also come certifications that can bring credibility and value to your home. For example, an Energy Star certification refers to appliances or fixtures that meet efficiency standards. WaterSense certifications are for plumbing fixtures that meet EPA water efficiency requirements. Having these certifications, among others, will give your home credibility and proof that these upgrades are eco-friendly and sustainable.
Choose Sustainable Plumbing for a Smart Investment
If you are a homeowner looking for ways to be more sustainable while increasing home value, upgrading your plumbing features is a great way to do so. There is increased awareness of sustainability and eco-friendliness, which has pushed home markets to make more sustainable decisions in their homes. Making these simple plumbing upgrades can make your home more sustainable, attract buyers, and increase its value. Ultimately, it is a beneficial way to reduce your environmental impact, increase your home’s value, and become more appealing to potential buyers. Start with any of these upgrades and take advantage of the incentives eco-friendliness and increased home value bring to you and your potential buyers.