[Greenbuilding] What are Energy Upgrades Worth

[Steve Houlihan]

When you go to sell your, the answer is "not much".  I was reading the 
recent blog by Roger Normand at GBA and thought I would share my recent 
experience.

I am in the process of buying a new house closer to town.  I found a 
nice house that met all our needs and it was the recent recipient of a 
few costly upgrades.  The owners had installed a $35,000 Photo Voltaic 
system and a gray water recovery system that automatically waters a very 
large garden as well as all the landscaping around the house.  These 
projects are less than 2 years old.  When my realtors told me what they 
thought the house was worth they compared it with other 4 bdrm, three 
bath houses in the area.  That was just about the only criteria.  I told 
them I was willing to pay more for all the work that had been done but 
they were adamant about the worth of the house.  They even admitted that 
they understood the value of such things but it doesn't change the 
price.  Wow!

Now I wonder about my present house.  I have spent well over $100K 
upgrading this house.  High efficiency furnace and water heater, *lots* 
of insulation and air sealing. Blower door tests to find the leaks. I 
guess I'll find out soon enough what they are worth to the "market".

Steve in Santa Cruz, California
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