The most sustainable house is the one that already exists, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t valuable and impactful ways to make your home even more sustainable. Today’s buyers and renters are increasingly drawn to eco-conscious living, and sustainable upgrades are a meaningful way to align your home with their values, while also boosting its marketability and long-term value for your property in Philadelphia. 

With projects like the new development in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard recently getting a gold sustainable certification in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program for Neighborhood Development, known as LEED-ND, sustainable development and redevelopment are clearly at the forefront of Philadelphia’s residential and commercial market. Projects like this are exciting and inspiring, especially in contrast to the conservative backlash on sustainability and sustainable practices. Making our homes more sustainable is an empowering way to live our values down to the foundations of our houses. 

Why Green Upgrades Matter to Today’s Buyers and Renters

It should be no surprise, then, that trends in Philadelphia Real Estate for 2025 reflect a desire to implement green building practices. Beyond the desire to drive sustainability, these additions and practices represent real benefits to homeowners and tenants in maximizing energy efficiency and driving down heating, cooling, and electric bills. And while building new development underpinned by sustainable principles is great, many homeowners can make their homes more sustainable, both for their own use and to increase their market appeal, by working with the existing structure and making changes that enhance the energy efficiency of their space. 

 Sustainable Upgrades That Add Real Value

Replacing appliances with more energy-efficient models, adding solar panels, and investing in green roofs are features that appeal more and more to buyers who want to balance their sense of social responsibility with the very concrete individual benefits these changes bring. Replacing windows, changing out heating systems, and moving away from gas-powered appliances have a significant effect on your home’s emissions, air quality, and can often impact your utility bills as well. 

These changes also have a positive effect on the value of a house or apartment for buyers and renters, and in fact, are changes buyers and renters are beginning to ask for and even expect. With rising awareness comes rising demand, and homeowners looking to sell or rent can expect buyers and tenants who consider these elements in picking their new homes and investing their money.

“Increasingly, I’ve seen buyers looking for sustainable features in the properties they wish to buy. Solar panels, better insulation, lower utility costs, EV stations, and my personal favorite: green roofs are features that add value. We have pitched these features at SBN Gatherings, neighborhood events, and PHS and received a lot of positive interest. Ten years ago, buyers weren’t asking about these features, and now they are,” said Deborah Solo, owner and broker at Solo Real Estate.

Looking into things like air-source heat pumps can make your heating and cooling more efficient, less costly, and better for the planet. The Department of Energy estimates around $500 to $1,000 per year in energy savings, depending on the system being replaced. Heat pumps can also cut greenhouse gas emissions in half compared to a gas furnace, according to a study in the journal Energy Policy. Induction stoves cut greenhouse emissions and make for a healthier air quality in the home, and can appeal to homeowners with children. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found nearly 14 percent of childhood asthma is attributable to gas stoves.” 

If you are looking into new construction, passive house principles and geothermal heating and cooling are spaces for exploration with long-term savings and environmental benefits. At Solo, we don’t just pay lip service to these ideas. Deborah and her son and partner, Alejandro Franqui, installed green roofs in their development at 1330 North 5^th Street and on 2017 Chancellor, the building in which the Solo Real Estate office is located. They are currently working on a Passive House project in Francisville, scheduled for completion in 2026. 

In an ideal world, we’d all make sustainable choices because it’s the right thing to do for our city, our neighborhoods, and our future. However, even through a purely practical lens, sustainability makes your property more appealing, marketable, and valuable to today’s buyers and tenants.

From energy-efficient windows to alternative heating solutions, and considering whether your roof is green-roof ready, there are numerous ways to increase the value of your home for buyers and tenants who increasingly view green building practices as essential elements in prospective homes. Interested in selling, upgrading, or developing your Philadelphia home with sustainability in mind? At Solo Real Estate, we’re here to help you navigate green building practices, recommend trusted contractors, and showcase eco-friendly features to the buyers who care most. Contact us to learn how sustainable features can work for your home and your bottom line.