Top Home Energy-Efficiency Facts and Statistics 

Recent energy-efficiency facts and statistics show that with climate change becoming more of a concern, the demand for sustainable homes has increased in recent years as prospective homebuyers are looking to reduce utility bills and lessen their carbon footprint.

If you’re considering upgrading your home or purchasing an energy-efficient one, you may be wondering why energy-efficient homes are so popular and what benefits they offer. According to the Department of Energy, not only will you save money and energy, but your home will become more comfortable and durable. 

Jump To: Solar Energy Statistics | High-efficiency HVAC Statistics | LED Bulb Efficiency Statistics | Energy-efficient Window Statistics | ROI on Energy-efficient Upgrades

What Are the Top Home Energy-efficiency Facts and Statistics of 2023?

With energy-efficient homes becoming more popular, many homebuyers are seeking clean energy features. Below are some statistics to support why homeowners are prioritizing sustainable home features in 2023. 

1. 9 out of 10 homebuyers prefer a home with energy-efficient features that lower energy costs. ¹ 
2. LEED-certified homes, on average, use 20 to 30% less energy than non-green homes, with energy savings of up to 60%. ² 
3. Over 50% of real estate agents have found clients looking to purchase a home express interest in sustainability. ³ 
4. Common energy-efficient home upgrades that homebuyers find most important include heating, cooling, windows, doors, and siding, with 30% of buyers saying they were important, followed by 24% of buyers wanting energy-efficiency lighting. ⁴ 
5. 81% of those who have used smart home products would be more likely to buy a home if smart technology was already installed. ⁵ 
6. A properly insulated home and attic can save you between 10–50% on your home’s energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. ⁶ 
7. Residential energy use accounts for 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. ⁷ 
8. The residential sector accounts for about 21% of the total energy consumption in the United States. ⁸ 

Solar Energy Statistics 

Solar power is renewable and sustainable, with homeowners increasingly switching to a solar power energy source as demand increases. Residential solar has become more affordable over the years, with money-saving incentives through the federal residential solar tax credit allowing taxpayers to claim a 26% tax credit on the cost of solar systems on their income taxes. 

9. Over the lifetime of a solar panel system, the average home can save between $20,000 and $75,000 in electricity costs. ⁹ 
10. Solar has experienced a 33% average growth rate in the last decade alone. ¹⁰ 
11. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), your home value increases by $20 for every $1 you save on energy bills. ¹¹ 
12. Homes with installed solar systems, on average, sell 4.1% more compared to homes without solar. ¹²

High-efficiency HVAC Statistics 

High-performance heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are critical to managing energy consumption, as heating and cooling account for about half of a standard home’s energy usage. 

13. Energy Star-certified heat and cooling equipment can yield annual savings of 10–30%. ¹³ 
14. Higher-efficiency equipment can reduce energy use by 50% for electric heating and cooling systems. ¹⁴ 
15. Properly sealing ducts can improve your heating and cooling system’s efficiency by 20% or more. ¹⁵ 
16. The smart home thermostat market in the U.S. is projected to grow from $1.27 billion in 2022 to $3.86 billion in 2029. ¹⁶ 

LED Bulb Efficiency Statistics

LED lights offer many benefits, including a long life span, energy saving, and improved environmental performance. 

17. Lighting leads to around 15% of an average household’s electricity use, with the average home saving about $225 in energy costs per year by using LED lighting. ¹⁷ 
18. LED lighting products can produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent lighting. ¹⁸   
19. LED light bulbs reduce maintenance costs, lasting 35 to 50 times longer than incandescent lighting and about two to five times longer than fluorescent lighting. ¹⁹ 

Energy-efficiency Window Statistics 

Having energy-efficient windows is an important feature in both new and existing homes. When selecting windows, it’s important to consider the cost of replacing them, what you can afford, and what will work best in your climate.

20. Switching to Energy Star-certified windows can lower household energy bills by an average of 12%. ²⁰ 
21. Replacing single-pane windows can save on average 1,006-6,205 pounds of CO2 and 264-2,001 pounds of CO2 for double-pane windows. ²¹ 
22. Heat gain and loss through windows are responsible for 25–30% of heating and cooling home energy use. ²²

What’s the ROI on Energy-efficient Home Upgrades?

Advancing your home’s energy efficiency can be beneficial by saving money and helping make your place more eco-friendly. Making upgrades to your home can help improve your home’s HERS rating and increase your home’s value while lowering your bills at the same time. Below are a few home upgrades you can make that offer a solid return on investment: 

Appendix:

1. EnergyLogic | 2. USGBC | 3. NAR | 4. NAR | 5. ColdwellBanker | 6. Energy.gov | 7. PNAS | 8. Energy.gov | 9. EnergySage | 10. SEIA | 11. NREL | 12. Zillow | 13. Energy.gov | 14. eeCompass | 15. EnergyStar | 16. FortuneBusinessInsights | 17. Energy.gov | 18. EnergyStar | 19. EnergyStar | 20. EnergyStar | 21. EnergyStar | 22. Energy.gov