Energy Efficient Homes In Tucson
Energy Efficient Homes In Tucson
Energy efficient homes in Tucson are among the most highly demanded homes in the city. The reason is obvious: homes with high energy efficiency are more comfortable to live in, have lower costs to operate, and have higher resale values compared to homes that do not have these features.
Start your search for energy efficient homes for sale in Tucson, or learn more about investing in an energy efficient home.
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Energy Efficient Real Estate Market
In the current Energy Efficient homes for sale, the highest price home is listed at $8,000,000 with the lowest available home listed at $135,000. The current average price for a home in the Energy Efficient real estate listings is $606,171 with a median price of $444,890. Energy Efficient homes for sale range in size from 600 Sqft to 8,708 Sqft and sit on lots that average 0.83 Acres in size. Energy Efficient properties appeal to a wide variety of home buyers and are some of the most popular homes in the Northwest area."
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About Energy Efficient Homes For Sale In Tucson
When did Tucson homes start seeing large improvements in their energy efficiency?
In the last fifteen years, energy efficient homes for sale in Tucson started to see some real gains. Technology has enabled new building materials and techniques to be implemented, and cost issues have been resolved. Homebuilders led the way in a desire to distinguish their brand-new homes from the resale homes in nearby neighborhoods.
What makes new homes so much more energy efficient?
Essentially anything that insulates the home or uses power has been re-engineered over the past decade to insulate better and use less power with the same results. Window technology, HVAC technology, and appliances have progressed at almost space-race levels by manufacturers and homebuilders.
Features In Tucson Energy Efficient Homes
Double Pane - Low E Windows
New double pane windows use argon gas as an insulator between the panes with a UV coating on the inside of the window to filter out UV rays. These windows perform much better than any single pane can. In addition, a vinyl casing allows for less heat transfer into the home from the exterior. Window technology has been improving exponentially for the past several years, and today's windows are generations better at keeping the home light and bright without losing heat or air-conditioned air.
High Efficiency Air Conditioner
In Tucson, where the summers are hot, an efficient air conditioner can save you as much as 30% on your electric bill. A 13 SEER AC is the minimum most buyers are demanding, and this has been the standard for the past decade. Some homeowners are upgrading to 16-20 SEER units. These units are far superior to any other AC units and can drive electric bills down by 70%. Those super-high efficiency units run more often, but operate on the idea of constantly keeping cold air entering the home while running at a very low speed. It's like peddling in low gear. They use very little electricity compared to the old technology that alternated blasting the AC and then shutting it off until the temperature rose again.
ENERGY STAR Appliances
Within the past ten years, appliances have begun being outfitted with smaller motors and longer running times, but the upside is that they are far more efficient than ever. Appliances are also incorporating sensors that enable them to perform their tasks without wasting water or energy in the process. KitchenAid, Maytag, and GE currently have some of the best products in the mid-level to higher-level market.
High Tech Insulation
Buyers have a hard time understanding how insulation works (other than knowing when it isn't working). Insulation technology has advanced and has borrowed from the technologies developed for the space programs. Spray foam, which is the most advanced of these, is now being used by some builders. Spray foam completely fills the gaps in cracks, resulting in excellent insulation. Spray foam insulation increases efficiency by 20%-40% over traditional fiberglass or cellulose insulations. Buyers wanting this level of insulation need to know which builders use it and which don't. Spray foam insulation is far more expensive to build with. Currently, Meritage Homes use spray foam technology, and other builders and homeowners are starting to use it as well.
LED Lights
LED or Light-Emitting Diode is a light source that uses a semiconductor to produce light within the unit. LED lights can operate for a fraction of the energy required by traditional light bulbs. LED lighting is not only extremely energy efficient, but the bulbs can last 10-20 years (or longer). In addition, this light source produces a better quality of light. It is more intense with a pleasing full spectrum color. While LED lights within the home are not a standard today, any home that has LED lighting is easily identifiable by trained professionals who know what to look for. Recessed LED lighting can be installed or retrofitted into older homes. In garages, LED panels can be installed in place of fluorescent lights. While costly up front, this lighting technology is not only a premium upgrade to have in your new home, but it is also extremely cost effective in the long run.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Homes
How much more energy efficient is a brand-new home today vs. a home built twenty years ago?
An incredible amount more efficient! In our research working with home buyers and sellers, we have found that a brand-new home in the Tucson area is roughly 25%-35% more efficient. In some cases, where the homebuilders excels in energy efficiency technology (Meritage Homes does this really well) the difference can be up to 50% more efficient. Any home built after about 2010 saw major upgrades to its energy use and insulations systems to meet the demands of the market. Buyers simply wanted to see the most efficient home technologies, whether they belonged to new construction or old homes. In fact, properly renovated older homes with high efficiency air conditioners and LED lighting can have comparable utility costs to new homes built today.
As experienced REALTORS® with hundreds of sales worth of experience, we understand the differences in the evolving technologies and can help your family find the homes that will be the most energy efficient in the long run. Energy efficient homes are tremendously in demand, and we predict as time goes by this trend will only increase. If you currently have an energy efficient home and are thinking of selling, talk with us today. We know the technologies and the benefits your home has to offer buyers in the market who may not understand what the features and technology can do for them.
If you would like to learn more about energy efficient homes and builders in the Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Catalina Foothills, or Dove Mountain areas, feel free to contact the Michael Oliver Team today, and we will be happy to help you with it!
I would highly recommend Michael for any residential real estate need. I listed my home to test the market and received a contract on day 5 for just $2,400 less than my asking price. I was not prepared for such a quick sale! —Falena Reed
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