Updated February 26, 2023
House flipping is the concept of buying a rundown house, fixing it up, and selling it for a profit.
Flipping houses has been around for quite some time, but a new trend in house flipping, called eco-flipping, aims to make the process a bit greener.
With "green housing" trending, more and more small eco-flipping companies are popping up around the country.
Christine Fisk recently purchased a home in the Phoenix area renovated by the eco-flipping company G Street, a four-employee outfit in business since 2007.
Despite the fact Phoenix residents typically run air conditioning units year-round, Fisk was surprised to see her last electric bill total just $40.
That’s the advantage of purchasing an energy efficient home.
There are plenty of foreclosed homes throughout the U.S., so eco-flippers have no shortage of inventory to work with.
Why renovate old homes to make them more eco-friendly instead of just tearing them down and rebuilding a brand new eco-friendly home?
It all comes down to cost. It’s far cheaper to renovate than to completely demolish and rebuild.
Find eco-friendly interior demolition contractors in my area
Brent Farrell of Houston-based ReCraft Construction is ecstatic about the eco-flipping trend.
Since 2009, his company has “greenified” countless homes, and most one sold in less than a month.
Home buyers simply prefer a green home over one that’s not quite as energy efficient.
Energy efficient homes aren't just good for the environment, they're also good for your wallet.
Farrell says the $75,000 to $120,000 spent in renovation costs on each home is well worth the investment.
His company’s profits have skyrocketed since focusing on green renovations, and he expects profits to increase by at least 50 percent this year.
So, what type of renovations make a home eco-friendly?
The primary upgrades eco-flippers focus on are insulation, energy efficient appliances, skylights, Energy Star water heater/furnace, and alternative power sources, like wind and solar.
These upgrades typically come with hefty price tags compared to the less efficient alternatives, but eco-flippers are convinced it’s well worth the extra cost.
They must be onto something, considering home buyers are scooping these homes up left and right. Just think about the energy savings over time.
Let’s use the previous example of Christine Fisk who purchased an eco-friendly home in Phoenix.
Her monthly electric bill was $40, and that’s for a two-bedroom bungalow.
Based on research from Trip Savvy, and found that some Phoenix residents are paying as much as $500+ per month for electricity!
Of course, there are several factors that play a role in electricity costs (home size, appliances, pool, etc.), but the difference is still significant.
Even if the average electric bill was $200 per month, we’re still talking about a savings of $160 per month in this instance.
A Seattle-based company called Green Canopy Homes is a small team of green-minded individuals renovating old homes into energy efficient gems.
Take a look at one of the company’s recent projects, a 3,100 sq ft, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath craftsman-style home.
The home, built in 1924, used 43,000 kWH per year before the eco-renovation and just 15,000 kWh per year after. Talk about a transformation!
If you're planning on doing some energy efficient renovations of your own, make sure you have an eco-friendly disposal place in place before you start.
Renting a dumpster is an efficient way to manage debris from a DIY project, while hiring a junk removal company is a great way to responsibly get rid of your old appliances and furniture.
Leave the interior demolition to licensed and insured contractors to ensure the safety of your property and everyone living there.
Find eco-friendly junk removal and dumpster rental companies that service your area by searching on Hometown.
Visit our sister site, Hometown Demolition, to find interior demolition contractors that help you jumpstart your energy efficient home renovation.
