The Sexy Side of Home Upgrades
When homeowners set out to build a new home or embark on a home improvement project, they often prioritize upgrades that cater to their visual, emotionally-driven preferences. Aesthetic enhancements like trendy kitchen countertops, luxurious bathroom fixtures, and the latest in stylish flooring are usually what they’re looking for – and really, what they’re being sold. The new trend I see in the houses I visit is the free-standing soaker tub in front of the fixed glass window, where you can envision yourself sipping that glass of wine. These sexy elements undoubtedly play a key role in shaping the overall look and emotional feel of a home.
The Hidden Gems
However, there’s the other, less glamorous side to these homes that, unless you’re a design professional, builder, building scientist, or other stakeholder, might not seem as exciting. Things like advanced framing techniques, a good air sealing detail, or a beautifully appointed mechanical room with a manifold setup and the latest and greatest in equipment technology. Okay, let me wake up here – I got a little lost in that mechanical room. What I’m trying to say, or ask, is: how do we get home buyers and homeowners who are upgrading their homes to get equally excited about these details as they do that soaker tub that had them dreaming of… well, you can fill that in.
Making the Unseen Sexy
I have a few ideas that may get us there, but it’s a tough transition to help people see that framing is as sexy as finishes. Let’s dive in and explore how we can make the unseen elements of home upgrades just as appealing as the visually stunning ones.
Highlighting Cost Savings
I don’t know about you, but at my income level (not the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous here), I find saving money to be pretty darn sexy. Maybe I can take that money I’ll be saving and finance some of those more visually appealing upgrades. Having an energy bill that comes in lower than I’ve ever experienced is pretty darn appealing. If we get to Net Zero, I may not even have one. That sounds sexy to me. The point I’m trying to make here is that if we can bring these unseen elements into tangible terms, we have a chance of getting people to see the value in elements like air sealing. Having a homeowner witness performance testing – they love that big fan – can also help make the intangible more tangible.
Fostering Environmental Responsibility
We’re living in a time when environmental responsibility is becoming more and more appealing. Does it rise high on the sexy scale? I guess that depends on the individual and how we’re selling it. More and more real estate agents are talking to their clients about environmental responsibility. Many people are increasingly concerned about their carbon footprint and the environmental impact of their choices. Energy-efficient upgrades contribute to a greener, more sustainable future by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Highlighting the positive environmental consequences of their decisions can tap into their core values and inspire them to prioritize energy-efficient upgrades. For many, that’s pretty darn sexy.
Showcasing Comfort and Well-Being
We know and understand that energy-efficient homes are more comfortable and conducive to well-being. Enhanced insulation paired with efficient heating and cooling systems, along with improved indoor air quality (something the public learned more about during COVID), contribute to a healthier and therefore more enjoyable living environment. We need to highlight these things. I don’t know if we’d equate it to ‘sexy,’ but it’s pretty darn appealing to know your home isn’t going to hurt you. If you’re working with someone like a friend of mine who has been severely harmed from mold, or a parent with a child with respiratory or other issues, these elements become much more appealing than anything else. Even the soaker tub doesn’t compete in this arena.
Smart Home Technology
Living in a world where people are seeking the latest cell phone upgrade or low-profile big-screen TV, these elements can be pretty sexy. Unless you’re my mother, people love being able to turn lights on and off, look at what’s in their refrigerator (I’m still trying to deal with this one), or turn their heat pump hot water heater to vacation mode from their phone. It’s very appealing. Capturing a touch-screen display or showing a model using an iPad to control their living environment isn’t a bad call as a marketing strategy. I think this one can rise pretty high on the ‘sexy’ scale, particularly with younger consumers buying or upgrading their homes.
Incentives and Rebates
This one parallels the cost savings discussed above. I think it ups the ante a bit, since this can be viewed as ‘free money.’ Realistically, much of this funding is getting some of those hard-earned tax dollars back through tax credits. There are utility rebate programs, low-interest financing, and other incentives we can pull from as well. By making homeowners aware of these opportunities, we can sweeten the deal and make energy efficiency more attractive.
Homeowner Education
Education plays a crucial role in shifting homeowners’ perceptions of these hidden upgrades. Hosting workshops, webinars, or home tours that showcase the benefits of energy efficiency can be highly effective. The Passive House ‘ice box challenge’ comes to mind as it can be a pretty effective tool to show that the upgrades they can’t see when the finishes are on actually work. The point here is engaging homeowners in the decision-making process and explaining how these upgrades contribute to the overall performance of their homes can create a sense of ownership and excitement about making these decisions.
The Takeaway
While the sexy elements of home improvement will always capture the homeowners’ attention, there is great potential to make energy-efficient upgrades equally appealing. By highlighting cost savings, emphasizing environmental responsibility, showcasing comfort and well-being, integrating smart home technology, offering incentives, and providing education, we can bridge the gap between the sex appeal of that soaker tub and those unseen elements of their new home or upgrade.
Ultimately, it’s about demonstrating that energy efficiency not only makes financial sense but also aligns with their values, creating a compelling case for making these hidden upgrades just as exciting as the finishes. And who knows, maybe that newfound enthusiasm for air sealing and advanced framing will even inspire a homeowner to splurge on an extra-large soaker tub. After all, a comfortable, energy-efficient home is the foundation for living your best life – and that’s pretty darn sexy.
If you’re ready to embrace energy efficiency and unlock the hidden gems of home renovations, head over to Reading General Contractor to learn more about our services and get started on your journey to a more comfortable, sustainable, and cost-effective home.
