3 Tips for Buying an Energy- and Water-Efficient Home

Choose a real estate agent with experience working with efficient homes.

Your real estate agent should be able to help you understand the current energy usage of the home you’re interested in purchasing. Learning about the current owner’s expenses will tell you a lot about how much efficient upgrades could really save you. 

If you’re explicitly looking for green housing, it's helpful to work with a housing professional who has specific expertise or credentials. Examples of green certifications include the National Association of Realtor’s Green Designation and the LEED Green Associate certification. 

Look for energy-efficient features.

Some basic energy-saving features to check for when you visit homes include: 

• Insulation: Good insulation holds in heat in cold months and keeps it cooler during warm months, which helps conserve energy. Because you can’t see the insulation, it may be something you’ll need to ask the seller about or cover as part of  your inspection and general energy audit.  
• Windows and doors: Check that they are properly sealed. A poor fit or cracked seal lets air enter and escape, reducing the effectiveness of your heating and cooling system. 
• HVAC: A lot of energy goes into powering a home’s heating, ventilation and cooling system. Smart thermostats and zoning are just two examples of technology that helps regulate the temperature indoors. 
• Orientation: The direction a home faces determines how much sunlight it gets, which can affect your heating and cooling needs. 

There are certain labels you can look for as well. These typically indicate how energy efficient a home is overall. Some frequently used certifications to become familiar with include: 

• National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) are two rating systems that measure a building’s environmental performance and sustainability. 
• ENERGY STAR^® homes are built, inspected, tested and verified according to a set of high energy-efficiency standards. ENERGY STAR products perform just as well or better than non-certified products, but they use less energy. 

Look for water-efficient features.

You can help gauge water efficiency by looking for water-saving features and potential water leaks during a home visit:

• Appliances: Look for an ENERGY STAR rating on appliances. A front-loading ENERGY STAR washing machine, for example, uses half the water of a traditional top-loading one.
• Toilets: Check for low-flow or dual-flush models, which use two to three times less water than older toilets.
• Hot water heater/pipes: Look for high-efficiency or tankless hot water heaters, which enable heated water to flow more quickly through the tap.
• Water leaks: Damp walls, mold and cracks in the pavement are tell-tale signs of water leaks.

Homes that meet strict standards for water conservation while maintaining high performance may be certified as WaterSense homes.