Page 63 - BusinessWest August 18, 2021

Energy
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grams that accelerate the market transforma- tion needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The plan should reflect the GHG-reduc- tion goals and include a performance-incen- tive mechanism that ensures that electric and gas utilities are incentivized to achieve these goals.
On March 26, Baker signed comprehensive climate-change legislation that significantly increased protections for environmental- justice communities across Massachusetts; authorized the administration to implement a new, voluntary, energy-efficient building code for municipalities; and allowed the Com- monwealth to procure an additional 2,400 megawatts of clean, reliable offshore wind energy by 2027. Recognizing the significant impact of climate change on environmental- justice communities overburdened by poor air quality and disproportionately high levels of pollution, the legislation statutorily defined environmental-justice and environmental burdens, including climate change as an envi- ronmental burden.
The legislation also expanded Massa- chusetts Environmental Policy Act review to require an environmental-impact report for all projects that impact air quality within one mile of an environmental-justice neighbor- hood and required the Department of Envi- ronmental Protection to conduct a stakehold- er process to develop a cumulative impact analysis as a condition of permitting certain projects. u
Renovate
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Baby Boomers did so at a more significant rate (from $80,000 to $90,000 versus $82,000 to $85,000 among Gen-Xers). Median spending among Millennials (ages 25-39), who represent 12% of renovating homeowners, remained unchanged in 2020 ($10,000), with the top 10% investing $65,000.
Outdoor Projects Heat Up
While interior room remodels remain the most common projects (68%), outdoor areas have increased in popularity since 2018, with 2020 showing a jump
of six percentage points (57%) among renovating homeowners. Improvements to outdoor spaces were directed toward the grounds, with beds or borders and lawns seeing significant growth in popularity (35% and 20%, respectively). Exterior upgrades, such as decks and porches or balconies, also increased in popularity in 2020 (14% and 12%, respectively), with homeown- ers investing 25% more in deck and porch upgrades ($2,500 and $1,500, respectively) compared with 2019.
Smaller Spaces See Higher Spending
Homeowners are investing in smaller areas that may once have been considered a luxury and are now a necessity. Demand for home-office projects jumped four percentage points (14%) and were 10% more expensive in 2020 ($1,100). Median spending on closet upgrades also saw a significant jump of 43% to $1,000.
Homes Get Smarter
Smart-home technology purchases continue to rise in popularity, with streaming-media players and TVs experiencing the greatest increases (14% and
12%, respectively) compared with 2019 (10% and 7%, respectively). A larger share of renovating homeowners purchased smart-technology products for their out- door spaces than the previous year, including security cameras, light fixtures, and speakers or sound systems (19%, 7%, and 3%, respectively).
Homeowners Hire More Than One Professional
Nearly seven in eight homeowners hired profes- sional help for their renovations in 2020 (87%), typi- cally engaging more than one professional per project. Among professionals hired, specialty service providers were the most common (49%), followed by construc- tion and design-related professionals (36% and 18%, respectively).
The Survey
The annual Houzz & Home survey is the largest sur- vey of residential remodeling, building, and decorat- ing activity published. The survey covers a wide range of renovation projects in 2020, from interior remodels and additions to home systems, exterior upgrades, and outdoor projects. Data gathered includes historical and planned spends, professional involvement, moti- vations and challenges behind building, renovation and decorating projects, as well as planned activities for 2021. The 2021 study includes more than 70,000 respondents in the U.S. alone. The survey was sent to registered users of Houzz and fielded in April and May 2021, and published earlier this summer. u
A Partner You Can Trust
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HOME IMPROVEMENT
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