Choosing all-electric equipment and appliances for your next build can give a competitive advantage in attracting environmentally conscious buyers and renters. Communicating thermostats, heat pumps and battery storage are three technologies at the top of many buyer and renter wish lists.

Communicating thermostats, also known as smart thermostats, help residents and homeowners be more in control of their home’s heating and cooling. Scheduling and remote access capabilities can help lower utility costs and improve comfort all year long.

Heat pumps provide quality heating and cooling more efficiently than traditional forced air systems. Because they operate at a continuous level, heat pumps are much better at maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature in homes. They also filter the air improving indoor air quality.

Battery storage capabilities are good for charging electric vehicles (EVs) and providing power during unplanned outages due to extreme weather events or natural disasters. Batteries can reduce utility costs by collecting and storing energy when rates are lower to use during peak periods when rates are higher.

Studies show that homes with gas stoves have poorer air quality than those with electric stoves. This is because gas stoves produce nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and methane when burning gas. Because of the danger these pollutants pose to people’s health, a study from the American Public Health Association calls on the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to begin regulating indoor air quality.

Opting for induction stoves helps residents and potential buyers avoid dangerous air pollutants resulting from gas stove usage. This is especially important for children and adults with respiratory conditions. Limiting exposure to air pollutants in the home is critical, with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy reporting people experiencing fewer asthma symptoms after switching from a gas stove to an induction cooktop.

People wanting to reduce their individual environmental impact are more inclined to seek out an energy-efficient residence. According to a 2024 study from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), almost 50% of surveyed realtors had clients interested in sustainability. In the same study, NAR reported that nearly 60% of realtors found promoting energy efficiency in listings valuable.

Multifamily properties with all-electric appliances like heat pump water heaters and heat pump heating and cooling are appealing to the sustainability minded market because they are better for the environment. Households with heat pumps produce up to 53% fewer carbon dioxide emissions than those with gas furnaces, according to a study from UC Davis.

Another reason to build all-electric is to meet the needs of California’s growing population of EV drivers. Because not every multifamily property can accommodate EV charging, having EV charging infrastructure installed and ready to go can be a major selling point to those who currently own an EV or are considering purchasing one.

Get in on the ground floor by building new all-electric multifamily properties today. By doing so, your property can offer residents advanced energy-efficiency features and a higher standard of living before this kind of development becomes the norm.