NAHB: Energy Star Rated Windows and Appliances Are Most Wanted Green Features

Energy Star windows and appliances are the most wanted green features among prospective or recent home buyers, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The survey, What Home Buyers Really Want, found that 89% of respondents classified Energy Star windows as either an essential or desirable feature, while 86% indicated Energy Star appliances are either an essential or desirable feature. An Energy Star rating for the whole home is essential or desirable to 81% of prospective or recent home buyers, according to the survey.

The survey polls recent and prospective buyers—people who have bought homes in the last three years or plan to purchase a home in the next three years—about desired features in their spaces.

Further analysis of the results provides evidence that for respondents, 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%), ‘windows with triple-pane insulating glass’ (77%), ‘insulation higher than required by code’ (73%), as well as low-e insulating glass windows (62%), a tankless water heater (61%), and solar water heating/electric system (59%).

A second tier of green features shows that after energy efficiency, respondents 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%).