An op-ed column in the Boston Globe argues for a mandatory, nationwide labeling system for home energy efficiency. Written by the director of the MIT Center for Real Estate, the piece argues that existing labels such as Energy Star and LEED are not used widely.
“The value of the investment by the current homeowner is not readily available to homebuyers, and therefore the premium that could be added to the sale price is not fully realized,” the column says. “In a fully labeled market, a prospective home buyer could see more clearly how green a particular home is, and therefore how much money the seller has invested in the property to make it more efficient. That will factor into the sale price that is negotiated between the two parties.”
A mandatory label would tend to encourage more homeowners to make upgrades to improve sustainability, it says.
Advertisement
Related Stories
Sustainability
Mention of Eco-Friendly Home Features Is on the Rise in Sales Listings
Home listing descriptions using eco-friendly terms have been rising over the past five years in line with growing consumer interest in the environment and energy efficiency
Construction
5 Steps to Cracking the Code for a High-Performance Home
As a model of energy savings, water conservation, indoor comfort and health, and use of on-site renewable energy, The New American Home 2024 offers valuable lessons
Sustainability
Which Green Building Practices Are Home Builders Using Most?
A recent report reveals which green-building practices are most popular among single-family home builders and remodelers