Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine September 2025

HVACR NewsMagazine September 2025

State National Chapter News

Energy Features Homeowners Want

NAHB Survey Green Features Rated Essential or Desirable

Zillow surveyed over 13,000 households and got very interesting responses as to what folks want in their homes. Not surprisingly, features like floor plan, finishes, kitchens, and outdoor spaces, topped the list. What is surprising, 50% want an energy efficient home. Even more surprising is 71% prioritize the AC. “ Who ’ d a thunk it? ” If this is true, the HVAC industry needs to focus on upgrading equipment efficiency. Zillow is not the only organization surveying the public for their home preferences. The NAHB, National Association of Home Builders, showed a majority of prospective home buyers rate Energy Star-compliant appliances and building products as highly desirable. The results show essential in red and desirable in blue and the total of both at the end. One surprise is the result of whole house mechanical ventilation. 17% said essential and 46% desirable for a total of 63%. Equally surprising is a total of 54% think a geothermal heat pump is essential or desirable. With the Zillow survey and the NAHB survey, it gives the HVAC industry reason to pause. Maybe homeowners will purchase efficiency if we believe in and sell efficiency. We have been acclimated to believe that granite sells but the HVAC has to be cheap. One thing is certain, if we don’t offer efficiency and professional design, cheap will always win.