When homebuyers are looking at prospective homes, they’re considering a multitude of variables: school districts, safety, property values, proximity to work, taxes and more. How do energy-related considerations, like the efficiency of the appliances, fit into this complex puzzle?

As part of the “Home Buying in the Energy Transition” research, conducted with partners 257 and the National Association of REALTORS®, the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC) surveyed more than 1,000 recent homebuyers across the United States to better understand how energy efficiency and clean energy technologies factor into their search for a new home.

In this month’s post, we share three key insights from SECC’s survey of recent homebuyers that highlight what energy efficiency and clean energy technologies mean to homebuyers and the implications for electricity providers and other energy industry stakeholders.

1. Homebuyers say that energy efficiency matters to them.

One of the strongest signals from the survey is how much energy efficiency matters to consumers. Eighty‑four percent of recent homebuyers said energy efficiency was very or moderately important in their decision-making. In addition, 37% of homebuyers said that energy efficiency is actually a top-three factor in their home purchase, while another third said that it’s the deciding factor. Clearly, homebuyers today are thinking beyond square footage, school districts and curb appeal. They want energy-efficient homes that will be comfortable and cost-effective to operate.

2. Energy-related information is often hard to find during the buying process.

While homebuyers value efficiency, they report that energy-related information isn’t always available when touring homes or reviewing listings. Only 20% of homebuyers recalled finding energy efficiency items in listings of all the homes they considered. Many said they had difficulty determining whether a home had efficient HVAC equipment, smart home devices or upgraded appliances. This lack of clarity can leave buyers uncertain about long-term operating costs, a concern that is especially relevant as residential rates continue to rise in many parts of the country.

3. Recent homebuyers are making a lot of energy-related decisions.

Even when homes lack certain energy-efficient features, the survey found that buyers are willing to invest after they move in. According to the survey, 33% installed energy-efficient appliances in the months after purchasing their home. A third also installed smarter thermostats, while around 20% installed a heat-pump water heater or EV charging. These upgrades align closely with providers’ goals around electrification, load flexibility and customer engagement. But without guidance, buyers may choose equipment that is less efficient, miss available incentives or delay upgrades that could reduce energy use and improve comfort.

As electricity providers seek to boost participation in clean energy programs and help customers navigate affordability challenges, they should look no further than engaging real estate professionals and consumers through the home-buying process. Today’s homebuyers are eager for information, motivated to invest in efficient technologies and increasingly aware of the long-term energy implications of their purchase. Electricity providers have a unique opportunity to meet consumers where they are and help them make choices that benefit their wallets, their comfort and the grid.

To learn more about the roles that energy efficiency and clean energy technologies play in the home-buying process, including findings from a survey of real estate agents, download SECC’s “Home Buying in the Energy Transition” report here.