Home Mortgage Alliance Corporation (HMAC)

Green garages: Boosting home value with eco-friendly upgrades

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Published Date 9/3/2024

Creating a more environmentally friendly garage can increase a home's appeal and value. According to the National Association of Realtors’ Leandra Beabout, today's homebuyers are increasingly interested in sustainability, not just for ethical reasons but also for the potential savings on utility bills.

Beabout explains that while sustainable housing solutions often focus on areas like kitchens and bathrooms, garages and outbuildings can also be made more eco-friendly. She outlines several benefits of sustainable garages, including lower utility bills, better preservation of vehicles, and the potential to extend comfortable living space.

For those interested in a green garage makeover, Beabout advises starting with the basics: insulation and weatherstripping. She cites the expertise of designer Allanah Barnes, who emphasizes the importance of insulation in creating an eco-friendly garage. Barnes suggests insulating walls between the garage and the house, as well as applying weatherstripping and using caulking and spray insulation foam to fill drafty gaps.

Replacing the garage door is one of the most effective ways to boost energy efficiency. Citing a 2023 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling, Beabout found that garage door replacement was one of only four remodeling projects with a higher resale value than the job cost.

For flooring, she advises avoiding epoxy due to health and environmental concerns. Instead, she suggests sustainable options such as concrete, rubber tiles from recycled tires, or plastic and glass tiles from recycled waste.

Finally, Beabout discusses the growing importance of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. She quotes D.R. Richardson, co-founder of Elephant Energy, who predicts that by 2030, more than half of cars sold will be electric, making at-home EV chargers a standard and desirable home feature. And don’t forget that federal tax credit available for the purchase and installation of at-home EV chargers.

NAR, TBWS

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