Green labeling impacts buying decisions in the housing market

More consumers today have made it a priority to purchase environmentally friendly products, and custom labels have made it easier for these individuals to make smarter purchases. And while recent studies show the high prevalence of green labels found on today’s market can sometimes be overwhelming to consumers, reports suggest that certain labels tend to stand out more than others.

For example, the Energy Star label has become synonymous with green living, and sustainable experts say it may be the industry’s most recognizable and widely appealing symbol, particularly for businesses in real estate and homebuilding.

“We’ve looked at them all and gave up on all of them except Energy Star. It proves our homes cost less to operate,” homebuilder Gene Myers told United Feature Syndicate, echoing the statements of other homebuilders who say other forms of labeling have not curried customer favor like Energy Star’s famous yellow star.

Energy Star was developed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency to make it easier for customers to identify energy-efficient home appliances and products. And while they may not capture consumers’ attention quite like Energy Star, other green labels – such as those from GreenPoint or the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program – can still impact homebuying decisions, according to a report.

A July report from the University of California showed green home labels can increase the value of a home by 9 percent, showing the lasting power that some labels have.

Most business owners would likely be thrilled to design and develop a custom label that has the impact of those used by Energy Star or other green programs. Doing so is not impossible with the right equipment, such as a Primera LX400 printer that can turn around colorful green labels at an affordable cost.