The housing market has grown increasingly competitive in recent year, and as a result, homeowners are realizing the importance upgrading in making their homes more livable as well as increasing their resale value. Modern technology has provided a number of great new inventions that serve both purposes. A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors revealed that homebuyers are willing to pay more for homes with time and money-saving upgrades. Here are a few upgrades that are worthwhile to consider implementing in your home.
Central Air Conditioning
The survey revealed that 69% of potential homebuyers were willing to pay more for a home with central air conditioning. Central air conditioners provide a consistent temperature throughout the home. Less noisy than fans, they also preserve the view from your windows. In addition to cooling your home during the sweltering summer months, many systems also filter and dehumidify the air. Some also pump hot air in the winter. Rising temperatures due to global warming have made central air conditioning no longer just a luxury, but a must-have in many areas.
Programmable Thermostats
According to the department of energy, in addition to maintaining a comfortable temperature when everyone is home, using a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature by 10 degrees while everyone is away can reduce your heating and cooling costs up to 10% annually. The combination of smartphone technology and new computer applications have even made it possible to adjust the temperature of your home from virtually any location. Several websites offer reviews and comparisons of some of the most popular brands to make it easier for people to find one that fits their needs as well as their budget.
Hardwood Floors
Increasingly, especially among younger homebuyers, hardwood floors are on the list of items considered very important when purchasing a new home. Due to the increase in the number of allergies in recent years and the difficulty in keeping carpets clean and dust-free, hardwood floors are now preferred by most people. Due to its popularity, companies now manufacture hardwood floors in a variety of colors and styles. They’ve even become available in synthetic materials that are less expensive than wood, but provide the same attractive benefits. Additionally, they’re easy to install and can even improve the air quality in your home.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are so much more energy efficient that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides a 30% tax credit to those that invest in them. It is estimated that that are up to 80% more energy efficient and reduce energy bills from 30% to 60%. The primary reason for their efficiency is that they only heat water as needed, which reduces the amount of gas or electricity used to heat it. Because the water is heated instantaneously, there is no need to waste water waiting for it to “warm up”. They also require less space and last twice as long as traditional tanks. The best feature is never running out of hot water.
Touchless Faucets
Touchless faucets offer a number of benefits, especially for families with children. One of those benefits is reducing your water bill. Children need to wash their hands often, and usually leave the faucet running for much longer than necessary while doing so. Touchless faucets also reduce the number of potentially illness-causing germs in the household. Touchless technology, which relies on motion sensors, has been refined to increase responsiveness and reaction times. Cooks with busy hands also love them. They also come in a wide variety of styles and finishes that contribute to making your kitchen and attractive and inviting space. Many also offer the option of battery as well as plug-in operation.
Some of the benefits to today’s families as a result of these upgrades include cleaner air, comfortable temperatures, fewer illnesses and reduced energy costs. The benefits to home-sellers include increased salability and value. However, perhaps the greatest benefit of the newest upgrades made possible by technology is the lasting benefit to the planet by conserving natural resources. Preserving increasingly precious natural resources benefits not only today’s families, but the families of our children and grandchildren as well.