There it is - your dream home.

After searching every online listing and eyeing too many 'for sale' signs, the moment has finally come. The soon-to-be place that you call home is in a welcoming neighborhood, close to schools and your job, and a perfect spot to make new memories with family and friends.

Before making your dream a reality, though, your current home needs some work. Sure, you can clean every corner, paint the walls, and landscape every inch of the yard. But, you might have to go the extra mile to set your home apart from others and increase its value before you list it.

Did you know adding energy-saving measures and upgrading appliances is one way to do that? Consider these tips to increase your home's value.

Check out energy-efficient appliances. Ask yourself: 'Are my appliances stuck in the 80s?'Vintage-like images of a dishwasher, refrigerator, washer or dryer can turn off potential buyers. If your appliances don't save money and use energy wisely, you may want to consider ENERGY STARcertified appliances for an upgrade.

Think quick fixes for big savings. Energy-efficient improvements can increase your home's value. Some quick fixes include sealing around windows and doorways to keep air from escaping, and replacing old, incandescent bulbs with LEDs. If you don't have the time or resources to DIY, an Eversource-authorized contractor can make these on-the-spot improvements and more through Home Energy Solutions.

Know your score. When an Eversource-authorized contractor makes a Home Energy Solutions visit to your home, they also collect energy information using the Home Energy Scoring Tool. Your home will be rated on a 1-10 scale, with 10 indicating excellent energy performance. You can use this scoring in two ways: 1. If it's too low, raise the score by following your contractor's energy efficiency recommendations. 2. If it's just right, let those potential buyers know.

Sign up for Home Energy Solutions. It's an easy way to assess how energy-efficient your current home is before it hits the market, or to get an energy-saving start in your new place. Contractors will seal around areas where air is escaping and install energy-efficient lighting, water-saving faucet aerators, and low-flow showerheads. They also evaluate insulation, perform safety checks on your heating equipment, test for duct system leaks, and recommend upgrades. Then, they'll provide a report detailing your home's performance before and after the service. You'll be able to share the improvements and test results with interested buyers - showing them just how much money and energy they'll save.

Now that you're ready to get that best offer on your current place and get settled in your dream home, don't forget that fall is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for my next column on fall safety checks to consider around your home.

For Home Energy Solutions, just call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) or click here to learn more.

EE WITH ENOCH

Enoch Lenge is Eversource's energy efficiency spokesman. If you're a member of the media and would like to arrange an interview with Enoch, please contact a member of the Media Relations team.

Eversource Energy published this content on 17 August 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 17 August 2017 18:56:02 UTC.

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