An increasing number of new property buyers have Energy efficiency as one of the main factors for their buying decisions. More buyers now realize the importance of choosing a building that will offer lower utility bills in the long term. The cost of owning a property shouldn’t have to be high. So you should also make energy efficiency as a crucial factor in your evaluation process.

Here are 4 things you should know about when evaluating a property for its energy efficiency.

1. Optimal Building Size

Smaller buildings are not only cheaper, they cost less for heating and cooling. They are also easier to clean and maintain in the long term.

When evaluating a building, consider whether you will be using all the rooms. Check if the rooms are appropriately sized to address your specific needs.

Related: Easy Home Improvements That Make A Big Impact

2. Check Utility Bills

An effective way to check the efficiency of a building is to ask the current owners to provide copies of their current utility bills. It will provide you an estimate of how the building operates.

You evaluate your energy needs and then determine how to reduce the bills if you were to purchase it.

3. Check for any Energy Assessment

Find out if the building has been designed and constructed by LEED accredited builders. The accreditation can help ensure that the building follows green building designs. The principles of LEED construction concepts follow the latest in green technology solutions.

It means that the building has passed a comprehensive evaluation for energy use. You can also get information about opportunities for increasing the property’s energy efficiency.

You may also want to have an energy assessment of the building. It will assess all features including all the equipment and lighting.

Some of the other features which will be relevant to energy efficiency include the following:

• Use of energy efficient appliances
• Energy efficient doors and windows
• Digital thermostat controls
• Air leaks
• Low energy lighting solutions
• Low-energy heating/cooling systems

The better the features, the greener the building is going to be. This means reduced utility bills and maintenance and more savings in the long term.

Many sellers may advertise LEED certification, meaning that the building complies with the environmental standards laid down by the authorities. It is best to confirm the certification. Besides the utility bills, you can also ask to seek the maintenance records. Also look for any state or local tax credits.

Does the building have any solar power sources or wind turbines? Does it have any other alternative energy sources? Besides energy efficiency, you should also evaluate the water-efficiency of the building’s systems.

Related: Solar Powered Homes – Are They Worth More?

4. Consider an Energy Audit

There is only as much that you can do when evaluating the energy efficiency of a building you plan to buy. You can get a more accurate estimate of a building by having a professional conduct an energy audit.

An inspector can conduct an energy audit on the building in different ways, including:

• Measuring air leakage
• Identifying any problem areas
• Checking the insulation
• Evaluating the electrical and lighting systems for efficiency
• Evaluating the heating and cooling systems

A professional energy audit will serve two key purposes. Firstly, you will be able to get a clear and accurate estimate of the building’s energy profile. Secondly, you will be able to find out how much you will have to invest to increase the property’s energy efficiency.

So make sure to learn about these 5 important things when evaluating a building for purchase. Energy efficiency has become an increasingly bigger concern and factor for buyers, sellers, builders, and the government. Its importance and benefits go beyond helping you save money in the long term. Whether you want to purchase a building, construct a new one, or upgrade a building after purchasing it, you can no longer ignore this crucial aspect. Getting professional help can help simplify things.

Author Bio:

Author is a builder in calgary who has been in the industry for years. Having served hundreds of commercial and residential clients, he has built an excellent reputation for AzimuthBuilders.com over the years. Have something to share with our readers? Read Become a Better Homeowner Blog’s submission guidelines.