New report explores the financial and environmental motivations behind sustainable home upgrades
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A growing number of Americans are factoring sustainability into their home upgrades, but not necessarily for the reasons you might expect. AUX AIR USA, a subsidiary of the global residential HVAC leader AUX, revealed in its latest research that while eco-consciousness plays a role, rising utility costs and financial pressures are the primary drivers behind many homeowners’ decisions to invest in energy-efficient solutions.
The 2025 AUX In-Home Sustainability Survey, conducted via the third-party survey platform Pollfish, gathered responses from 600 U.S. adults to explore attitudes and behaviors toward sustainability in home upgrades. The findings shed light on the financial and environmental factors influencing consumer decisions and highlights barriers to adopting sustainable technologies.
Key findings include:
- 58% of respondents say sustainability is a very or extremely important factor in their home upgrade decisions, with 70% either actively making or seriously considering sustainable upgrades.
- 51% say reducing energy bills is their primary motivation, compared to only 20% cite reducing environmental impact.
- 63% considered savings the main benefit of energy-efficient HVAC systems.
- 50% cite upfront costs as the biggest barrier to sustainable upgrades.
- 62% are unaware of rebate or financing programs that could offset initial costs.
While financial savings remain the primary driver for many, there is also growing recognition of the additional value sustainability brings. From increasing property values to improving indoor air quality, homeowners are starting to weigh the broader benefits of greener upgrades alongside cost considerations.
“It’s encouraging to see that sustainability is becoming a significant factor in how people approach home upgrades,” said Matt Lacey, Vice President of East Coast U.S. Sales, AUX AIR USA. “While economic benefits like lower energy bills often drive these decisions, it’s clear that sustainability’s impact extends beyond just financial savings—it’s about creating smarter, healthier, and more efficient living spaces.”
Heating and cooling systems are the largest energy consumers in American homes, but their high upfront costs often deter homeowners from pursuing sustainable upgrades. Rising prices for raw materials, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages have further increased costs for both standard and high-efficiency systems.
These economic pressures have made energy efficiency a financial priority. Residential electricity prices rose by 6.2% in 2023, reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and an additional estimated 1.9% in 2024 according to Statista–even as household electricity consumption slightly decreased, suggesting greater consumer efforts to conserve energy and reduce costs. AUX AIR USA’s survey findings reflect this trend, calling attention to the need for greater awareness of solutions like rebate programs, energy company incentives, and other sustainable cost-saving opportunities that can help homeowners overcome cost barriers.
Visit the 2025 AUX In-Home Sustainability Survey report at AUX AIR USA’s website for the complete survey results and additional insights.
About AUX AIR USA
AUX AIR USA, a subsidiary of the global HVAC leader AUX, brings smart comfort to homeowners with its portfolio of air conditioning systems. AUX’s solutions are engineered to provide superior performance and advanced features at a competitive price point, with simple, single-person installation and dedicated local support teams.
AUX, founded in 1986, has a presence in over 100 countries, backed by 30,000-plus global employees, six research and development centers, and 14 manufacturing bases around the globe. Committed to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, AUX continues to redefine the standards of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning worldwide. https://auxair.com/us
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