We have seen a lot of trends come and go in the Humboldt County rental market. Lately, there has been a huge focus on green living and environmentally-friendly upgrades and improvements. We believe this is more than a trend; it’s a shift in the way tenants and owners are approaching homes and personal responsibility. Not only are people feeling a need to protect the plant and its condition, they’re finding that making sustainable improvements is actually cost-effective. You’ll find lower energy bills when you make some green upgrades to your investment property, and that’s good news for both owners and tenants.

Let’s spend some time exploring the benefits of green upgrades for Humboldt County rental homes and how they can help you save money while attracting more environmentally conscious tenants.

Energy Efficiency Saves Money 

One of the biggest benefits of green upgrades is that they can help make your rental units more energy-efficient. Upgrades that will make the biggest differences include

• Sealing air leaks throughout your property. 
• Upgrading windows for better insulation.
• Adding insulation to attics and basements.
• Installing energy-efficient HVAC systems.
• Investing in low-flow toilets and shower heads.
• Upgrading to smart thermostats. 

These updates and others like them can help reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs. Energy-efficient upgrades not only benefit the environment, but they also make your rental units more attractive to tenants who are looking to save money on utility bills. They’ll save you money, too, during turnover and vacancy periods, when you’re responsible for those energy bills. 

Providing Healthier Living Spaces in Your Rental Property

Green upgrades can also benefit tenants by creating healthier living spaces. There’s a huge demand for this within the rental market. Carpets, for example, have lost a lot of favor with tenants because those carpet fibers can easily trap dirt, dust, and allergens, making it more difficult for people with asthma, sensitivities, or respiratory issues to breathe. Hard surface floors are better for their health and those floors are also better for your rental value. 

As you think about ways to make your property greener and healthier, you can also consider the materials you use. Using low-VOC paints, for example, can be much better for your property and the planet. You can also replace that carpet flooring with eco-friendly materials, and installing filtration systems can help reduce indoor air pollutants and improve indoor air quality. 

This can lead to fewer negative health effects for tenants and can make your rental units more appealing to those with respiratory issues or allergies.

Green Upgrades Increase Property and Rental Values

Green upgrades don't just save you money on utility bills and improve tenant health, they can also increase the overall value of your rental properties. Even in the current market, which features high demand and lower inventory, tenants are choosy about where they want to live and what kind of home they want to rent. The best-qualified residents are increasingly seeking out green living initiatives. Not only are they making an effort to find environmentally sustainable homes, but they’re also willing to pay more for those green living spaces. 

By investing in green upgrades, you can increase your rental rates and justify higher rents to potential tenants who cannot find eco-friendly features such as these everywhere. 

Leveraging Tax Incentives and Rebates

In addition to saving money and increasing rental rates, green upgrades can also save you money once tax season rolls around. The state of California offers tax incentives and rebates for certain green upgrades, such as solar panel installations and the purchase of energy-efficient appliances. Make sure you’re leveraging every benefit you can find when you make improvements that are supported by local and state governments and agencies. 

These incentives can help offset the cost of the upgrades you’re planning to make and give you an even greater return on investment.

Reduced Maintenance Costs