Energy prices may have taken a dip in recent months, but that hasn’t stopped environmentally-conscious consumers from seeking out the hottest energy savings trends. Growing social and political pressure has consumers more aware of the impact their homes have on the natural environment. Increasingly, homeowners are stepping up to do their part by investing in systems, appliances, and devices that make their home more eco-friendly.

The advent of high-tech, digitally-connected energy-saving home devices is propelling this movement forward. Below are 5 of the hottest home energy trends to keep your eye on this coming year:

Energy-efficient remodeling:

Thankfully, the days of shag carpeting and floral wallpaper seem to be long gone. Here to stay? Energy-efficient remodeling that includes the reuse of building materials, installation of eco-friendly building materials (like “Low-E” windows, which regulate light emission), and cool roofing that reflects heat from the sun to naturally cool the home. Consumers have come to expect Energy Star-rated appliances included in the remodeling process, so widespread installation of those is likely to continue, too.

Solar water heaters:

Solar water heaters are becoming especially prevalent in the Sun-Belt states, where homeowners rely on renewable energy for 50 to 100 percent of their water-heating needs, from showers to washing machines – even to heating their pools! It’s a hefty up-front investment for homeowners, but the most environmentally-conscious consumers find that the long-term savings are worth the cost.

Reverse cycle air conditioners:

Also known as “air source heat pumps,” reverse cycle air conditioners pump heat from outside homes to the inside, even during cold months – and vice versa during warm months. The system functions by extracting energy from the air (even on mid-winter nights) and transforms it into heat using a method called vapor compression refrigeration. Environmentalists love reverse cycle air conditioning because the entire heat inversion process is emission-free. Systems are not only relatively low-cost, but they are also easy to maintain.

“Smart” thermostats:

The Nest Learning Thermostat is perhaps the most well-known, but a number of “smart” thermostats have hit the market and are growing in popularity.  These self-aware devices have far more capabilities than traditional programmable thermostats; they can adjust the temperature in individual rooms, anticipate heating and cooling needs based upon the local forecast, and can even learn your daily habits in order to control the temperature based upon when you wake up or leave for the office. Smart thermostats are relatively inexpensive (under $300) and can save consumers hundreds of dollars in the first year alone. We expect these to become standard in homes in the future.

Digitally-connected widgets:

This is a highly-unscientific description of a host of products that have come online (pun intended) to meet tech-savvy consumers’ demand for energy-efficient gadgets. Water Pebble, for instance, is a tiny device that can be set up to monitor how much water you typically use per shower, then fractionally lowers how much water you use until you reach a “planet-saving” amount per shower—roughly, 1/3 the water a typical American uses today. Belkin’s WeMo Insight Switch allows you to control any electronic device or appliance plugged into it from your mobile phone so you never have to worry about whether you turned the TV or the lights off. And for outdoor energy savings, you can use your mobile phone or tablet to connect into the Droplet sprinkler system, an attachment for your garden hose that knows when, where and how much water to use when time to water your lawn or garden. The bevy of digitally-connected products designed to promote energy (and cost!) savings only continues to grow as energy management software becomes more readily available.

Another (unfortunate) trend: selling these homes has been difficult. Even though buyers are willing to pay a premium of up to 25% for a “green” home, there hasn’t been an easy way to find those homes. Traditional MLS services limit listings to a brief description and force users to highlight their home’s features based upon a pre-selected list of categories – most of which don’t consider green features!

That’s why so many consumers have turned to JustClose, the only online real estate platform that connects environmentally-minded buyers and sellers.

Homes are listed on JustClose based upon their eco-friendly properties, from natural fiber insulation to built-in recycling centers. Buyers can check off the features that matter most to them. Are you a tech-savvy consumer looking for a home with a programmable thermostat? You’re just one click away from finding all the homes with one already built in. Looking for a home with a rainwater recovery system? No problem. That’s easy to find, too. Register for JustClose and see for yourself why this has become the premier online application for buying and selling green homes.

JustClose also recognizes that not everyone has a green home just yet – but many are interested in making investments to reduce their carbon footprint. This is why the platform’s roster of “eco-brokers” and contractors is so valuable. It’s easier than ever to get quotes from professionals that specialize in green building and advise on which energy saving improvements will add the most value over time.

It’s a win-win: environmentally-conscious home buyers and sellers are able to find each other, find green brokers and other like-minded professionals, and we all leave the planet a little cleaner for the future.

By: Amanda Maher