Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years – and let’s face it, at times this has felt quite appealing – then you will know the increased focus being placed on the environment.
Businesses, organisations and individuals are all doing their bit to try and save the planet and do things in a more environmentally-friendly way.
This is a wise move in a domestic setting as well, with numerous benefits from installing things like solar panels, having an electric car (did somebody say petrol crisis?) and being more self-sufficient becoming the norm for people up and down the country.
But new research has also found that by making your home as green as possible, there’s a chance to make some financial benefits when selling up. This is something we thought home movers might be interested in.
How much could be added to the price of my home?
According to research by the Halifax bank, enhancing the energy efficiency of your home could add as much as £40k to its value.
This is thanks to a trend where environmentally-conscious buyers are willing to pay what is being referred to as a ‘green premium’ in order to live in a home which ticks these boxes.
What’s more, it’s not just the very best homes in the eco stakes that are likely to sell for more. Homes with certain EPC ratings could well see value added to their home in due course.
EPC ratings are a mandatory part of home sales these days, with EPC standing for Energy Performance Certificate. More and more attention is being paid to them, and their scale runs from A, the most energy efficient, to G, the least energy efficient.
If you are not sure what your home’s EPC rating is, you can find the info you want on the EPC website. This also, rather handily, has tips on how you can improve your rating.
Halifax has found that homes with ratings of A, B or C could well benefit from this status and accrue more value upon sale.
How can I enhance the energy efficiency of my home?
There are a range of things that can be done in this regard. Roof and wall insulation can help keep warmth in and reduce your heating needs, as can draught-proofing your windows.
Investing in LED lights instead of traditional lightbulbs is another good step, while upgrading your boiler is another big green tick.
By doing various bits and bobs to support the creation of an eco-friendly home, you can help that EPC rating move in a direction that could see your finances benefit big time in the future .
If you are considering moving but may be looking a little further down the line, then there are still short term benefits that can be had by enhancing the energy efficiency of your home.
Lower energy bills are one such benefit, while being able to relax in the knowledge that your own carbon footprint is lower is another.
Food for thought
If you are a contractor or a freelancer that owns their home but is looking at moving down the line, then this information is well worth considering. Taking these steps now can bring about benefits when the time comes to sell, so if it is something you are keen to do then there is ample reason to proceed.
Equally, if you are looking to get on the property ladder, the EPC rating of your desired property is worth considering. The better it is, the easier it can be moved into the higher echelons of the EPC scale and potentially have a large financial benefit to you down the line. This is on top of the various eco-benefits you can make in the shorter term.
