Energy Star Rated Windows Are The #1 Green Home Feature

Many consumers in today’s market are interested in energy-efficient home features, such as solar heating, efficient lighting, and water-saving products. But, according to NAHB’s What Home Buyers Really Want survey, Energy Star windows are the most-wanted green feature this year with 89% of prospective homeowners reporting it either as an ‘essential/must have’ or ‘desirable.’ Energy Star-rated appliances follow close behind with 86% and a complete Energy Star-rated home ranks third with 81%.
Further analysis provides evidence that for home buyers, a green home is first and foremost an energy efficient home. Except for water-conserving toilets, every one of the top ten green features deals directly with energy efficiency: ‘efficient lighting that uses less energy than traditional bulbs’ (77 percent), ‘windows with triple-pane insulating glass’ (77 percent), ‘insulation higher than required by code’ (73 percent), as well as low-e insulating glass windows (62 percent), a tankless water heater (61 percent), and solar water heating/electric system (59 percent).
A second tier of green features shows that after energy efficiency, home buyers want features that help with the air quality inside the home: a home dehumidification system (58%), whole house mechanical ventilation, low VOC materials, and an electronic air cleaner (all rated essential/desirable by 57 percent).

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