Whether you’re a hopeful new homebuyer, a recent homeowner, or someone who has been in the same house for over 20 years, we’ve all seen some trend in home prices. They are going up. And while there are far too many factors to cover, one is higher construction costs due to updated standards—such as home performance. And while these initial costs are high, they pay for themselves over time. Learn what to expect as a homebuyer, but also what you can do to your existing home to get some of these home performance effects.
New Constructions: Higher Upfront, Lower Operating Costs
According to Realtor’s 2026 New Construction Insights report, the average new construction cost is $60,000 more than an existing home, but that doesn’t factor in the lifetime savings new home construction has, such as:
- A new-home owner can expect to save over $25,000 over the first 10 years compared to an owner of a 20-year-old home.
- These cost savings are based on both lower energy usage due to greater energy efficiency and lower replacement costs for major systems.
- In the St. Louis area, this increases to almost $32,000 in savings over 10 years due to higher energy costs and replacement pricing.
Want to learn more about the state of new home construction? You can read the full Realtor article here.
Assessing Energy Efficiency with a Home Evaluation
So, what does this mean for your home? The newer your home, the more likely you already have what we would call home performance: a combination of energy efficiency, comfort, and home health focused around ventilation, insulation, and appliances as systems working together. If you’re not sure what issues your home might have, it’s time for a home evaluation.
Want to learn more first, including what the difference is from an energy audit? Check out our article, The Difference Between an Energy Audit and a Home Evaluation.
Older Houses and Home Performance Upgrades
If you have an older home, you don’t have to keep paying higher utility costs or wait for your home systems to break down before renovating and replacing them. It pays to get a home evaluation and then to balance the results, such as comparing replacing your HVAC unit with adding more insulation. These can include:
- Replacing aging ventilation systems and ducts.
- Improving insulation, especially in attics and crawlspaces.
- Installing new ventilation fans, including in the bathroom, kitchen, and attic.
- Duct cleaning and air quality monitoring for better home health.
St. Louis Home Evaluation & Performance Experts
Whether you’ve got a new home or an aging one, at Greenmark Home Performance, we believe that every homeowner should be able to access cost-effective energy efficiency while also improving their home’s comfort and air quality. We offer a full range of home performance services, from air sealing and insulation to ventilation to in-depth renovations, and more. If you’re in the St. Louis area, schedule an evaluation today or call us at (314) 845-9144 to get started.
