There is a growing shift in what Perth buyers look for when choosing a home.
For years, conversations around property value have focused heavily on location, land size, renovation quality, bedrooms and outdoor living.
Those factors still matter.
But another consideration is becoming increasingly relevant: how efficiently a home operates.
Energy efficient homes are attracting more attention as buyers become more conscious of ongoing running costs, comfort and the long term practicality of a property.
Recent research highlighted by REIWA found that higher performing homes in several case studies achieved significantly stronger sale prices and rental returns than comparable properties. Importantly, the report also notes that energy performance is only one factor among location, design, condition and other property characteristics. REIWA Public Website
So what does this mean for Perth homeowners?
What Makes a Home More Energy Efficient?
Energy efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean installing expensive technology or completely rebuilding a property.
Sometimes, relatively simple features can make a noticeable difference to how comfortable and affordable a home is to operate.
Buyers may look for features such as:
• Solar panels
• Quality insulation
• Energy efficient lighting
• Double glazed windows
• Good natural ventilation
• Efficient heating and cooling
• Shaded outdoor areas
• Well designed window placement
• Energy efficient appliances
• Landscaping that provides shade and reduces heat exposure
In Perth’s climate, features that help keep a home cooler during summer can be particularly appealing.
Why Are Buyers Paying More Attention?
The cost of running a home is becoming part of the overall buying decision.
Two properties might have similar floor plans and comparable locations, but the ongoing costs of living in each property could be very different.
For buyers, a home that is comfortable, well insulated and designed to make better use of natural light and ventilation can offer benefits beyond the initial purchase.
It can also contribute to a more comfortable lifestyle.
Energy Efficiency Can Be Part of the Property’s Story
When selling a home, energy efficient features shouldn’t simply be treated as a list of inclusions.
They can form part of the property’s overall story.
For example, instead of simply saying a home has solar panels, marketing can explain how the property has been designed with everyday comfort and efficiency in mind.
Instead of simply mentioning outdoor shading, the focus can be on creating comfortable spaces for summer living.
Good property marketing is about helping buyers understand how a home could work for their lifestyle.
Perth’s Climate Makes This Particularly Relevant
Perth homeowners understand how important summer comfort can be.
Long, warm periods mean buyers often pay close attention to cooling, outdoor entertaining areas, shade and the way a home handles heat.
This is particularly relevant across established lifestyle suburbs such as East Fremantle, Fremantle, Bicton, Palmyra, Melville, Applecross and South Perth.
A home’s orientation, windows, landscaping and outdoor areas can all influence how comfortable it feels throughout the year.
These features may not always appear in a standard property description, but they can make a difference when buyers inspect a home in person.
Does Energy Efficiency Automatically Mean a Higher Sale Price?
Not necessarily.
This is an important point for homeowners.
Energy efficiency is not a guaranteed formula for achieving a higher sale price.
Location, land size, condition, architecture, presentation, buyer demand and pricing strategy continue to play major roles in the Perth property market.
The recent national report highlighted by REIWA also makes this distinction, noting that energy performance was one factor among several that contributed to the results seen in its case studies. REIWA Public Website
The better way to think about energy efficiency is as another feature that can strengthen a property’s overall appeal.
What Should Sellers Highlight?
If you’re preparing to sell a Perth property with energy efficient features, make sure buyers know about them.
Don’t assume they will notice everything during an inspection.
Consider highlighting:
Solar power and battery systems
Energy efficient appliances
Insulation
Natural ventilation
Window treatments
Shaded entertaining areas
Efficient heating and cooling
Low maintenance landscaping
These details can help buyers understand the practical benefits of the property.
What About Older Perth Homes?
Energy efficiency isn’t limited to newly built homes.
Many established Perth properties have opportunities to improve their performance without changing their character.
Simple improvements such as better insulation, window coverings, efficient lighting, solar panels, landscaping and improved ventilation can potentially make an older home more comfortable.
For character homes and established properties, the challenge is often finding improvements that complement the home’s existing design.
My Advice to Perth Homeowners
I wouldn’t recommend making expensive upgrades purely because you think they will automatically increase your home’s value.
Instead, consider the improvements that make sense for your property and your lifestyle.
If you’re planning to stay for several years, reducing running costs and improving comfort can provide benefits while you live there.
If you’re considering selling, improvements that make the home more comfortable, attractive and practical may also help strengthen its appeal to buyers.
The key is understanding what buyers in your particular suburb are looking for.
The Bigger Picture
The Perth property market is becoming more selective.
REIWA reported 8,013 properties available for sale at the end of the week ending 4 October 2026, significantly more than the same period last year. At the same time, Perth’s median house price was $965,000 based on the 12 months to September 2026. REIWA Public Website
With buyers having more properties to compare, the features that make a home comfortable, practical and appealing can become increasingly important.
Energy efficiency is one part of that conversation.
It isn’t about chasing a trend.
It’s about recognising that buyers are increasingly thinking beyond the purchase price and considering what it will actually be like to live in the property.
Final Thoughts
The definition of a desirable Perth home continues to evolve.
Location will always matter.
So will design, presentation and lifestyle.
But increasingly, buyers are also looking at how a property performs in everyday life.
For homeowners, that creates an opportunity.
Whether you’re improving your home for your own comfort or preparing it for sale, energy efficient features can be worth considering as part of the bigger picture.
The best improvements aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.
They’re the ones that make the home more comfortable, practical and appealing to the people who are most likely to buy it.
