The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has released the results of its first quarter survey aimed at assessing today’s most popular energy-efficient features for homeowners.
The survey, which was compiled by responses from residential remodelers tasked with calculating which “green” building products were most common in their home remodeling projects, found that high-performing, Low-emissive (Low-E) windows were the most requested green feature.
"The improved availability and affordability of high-performing building products means energy-efficient features are being incorporated into more home improvement projects,” said NAHB Remodelers Chair Paul Sullivan. “Remodeling can not only improve the overall layout and features of a home, but depending on the upgrades you choose, you can also save money on utilities, improve indoor air quality and strengthen the long-term value of your home.”
The other most popular green features named in the survey included high-efficiency HVAC systems, programmable thermostats and Energy Star appliances.
Other popular features were ceiling fans, moisture control products (such as bathroom fans), water-conserving fixtures and high-performance insulation.
The usage of technology to improve a home’s performance has increased dramatically during recent years. Seventy percent of remodelers said they used programmable thermostats, an increase from 42 percent in 2011. Sixty-two percent of remodelers used ceiling fans in their remodels, compared to 37 percent in 2011.
Over the next five years, the percentage of remodelers who expect to be doing more than 60 percent of their projects green will double, according to a McGraw Hill Construction green building study done in conjunction with NAHB.
“The lower operating and maintenance costs of energy-efficient homes are a compelling reason for more homeowners to incorporate green features in their remodeling designs,” Sullivan said. “A professional remodeler can help maximize the benefits of including these features in a remodel. The survey results provide useful examples of ways to increase a home’s efficiency, decrease costs and take advantage of the other benefits that high-performance green homes offer.”