As more home buyers take advantage of new-home tax credits related to energy efficiency, Energy Star-certified appliances and windows are a common want for both first-time and repeat buyers, according to the NAHB.
“Builders have found that buyers are seeking out new homes with durable designs and sustainable features that make their home cost-effective to operate,” says NAHB chairman Alicia Huey, a custom home builder and developer from Birmingham, Alabama. “Whether it’s efficient lighting options or appliances, many home builders are voluntarily incorporating green features into newly built homes to meet consumer demand.”
While some energy-efficient features have become standard for builders, the hyperfocus on these products and builds prompted NAHB to ask them what energy-efficient features they will most likely include in homes this year. The top five features include low-E windows, efficient lighting, Energy Star-rated appliances and windows, and programmable thermostats, NAHB reports.
To hone in on energy-efficient products and companies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy recently announced the 2023 Energy Star award winners. Of the 220 organizations making remarkable contributions toward clean energy, the industries range from retailers and manufacturers to home builders with many sectors in between.
Various energy-efficient home products manufacturers and brands recognized this year are:
- Anderson Corp.
- Beko
- Bosch
- Broan-NuTone
- Delta Electronics
- ecobee
- Electrolux
- GE Lighting
- Google Nest
- L'Image Home Products
- Panasonic
- Rheem
- Samsung Electronics
- SoftLite Windows & Doors
Of the builders closely following the energy-efficient wants of home buyers, the 2023 Energy Star award winners also include:
- Beazer Homes
- Brighton Homes
- Chinburg Builders
- Design Tech Homes
- Fulton Homes
- Ivey Residential
- KB Home
- Main Street Homes
- Mandalay Homes
- McStain Neighborhoods
- New Tradition Homes
- Providence Homes
In 2020, Energy Star-certified products, buildings, homes, and plants have saved families and businesses over 520 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and $42 billion in energy costs—furthering the incentive for home builders and buyers.
According to the NAHB's recent Internal Revenue Service data analysis, more than 800,000 taxpayers have claimed a new-home-related energy-efficiency tax incentive. From 2019 to 2020, claims related to solar electric power (through the 25D power production installation credit established in 2005) grew by 86,000 taxpayers and $2.1 billion, the NAHB says.
The most qualifying activity utilizing the credit in 2020 was solar electric property installation, with more than 600,000 taxpayers claiming it for nearly $12.6 billion. The second most common installation in 2020 was solar water heating.
