Making the UK’s homes greener and more energy efficient
The energy crisis has led many homeowners to look at making their homes more energy efficient. A recent survey(1) of homeowners shows that over half are thinking about making their homes greener.
Homebuyers face having to improve the energy efficiency of their new properties under the terms of their mortgage as part of government plans to decarbonise Britain’s housing.
Ministers hope the plan will encourage lenders to fund homeowners to carry out green improvements when they move into a property, with the money spent added to mortgages and repaid through cheaper bills
CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Making the UK’s home greener and more energy efficient is an essential step in mitigating the UKs contribution to climate change. Homes currently account for 23% of the UKs total carbon dioxide emissions and 35% of energy use. (2)
As the demand for high quality homes is steadily increasing across the nation, the need to decrease the resulting carbon emissions is urgent.
PROPERTIES CARBON FOOTPRINT
While newer properties tend to have been designed with more carbon-efficient credentials in mind, there are still steps that owners of older, less energy-efficient properties can take to help improve the ‘greenness’ of their house. This can help to decrease a properties carbon footprint and even save the owner money in the long term.
WHAT MAKES A HOME ‘GREEN’?
In the UK, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are an important part of buying, selling and renting homes. They show a property’s energy efficiency based on:
- The amount of energy used per m2
- The level of carbon dioxide emissions (in tonnes per year)
Properties are rated on a colour-coded scale (A-G). A is the most efficient with the cheapest energy bills and the lowest impact on the environment. EPC ratings (A-G) are based on the Energy Efficiency Index, roughly a scale from 1-100. Homes that rank from a C grade upwards would be considered ‘Green’
ONGOING ENERGY CRISIS
The jump in wholesale gas prices has had a wide-ranging impact, as many homeowners have clearly been moved by the ongoing energy crisis and are looking at making their homes more energy efficient.
These price rises have impacted on the energy bills of millions of UK households. The survey identified cost is a barrier for many homeowners when it comes to making energy-efficient improvements.
>>>COULD YOU SAVE MONEY BY TAKING OUT A ‘GREEN’ MORTGAGE?<<<
There are several lenders that offer incentives to its borrowers for making energy improvements to their home. Increasingly, lenders will reward you with
a lower mortgage rate on certain deals when you buy an energy-efficient home.
To find out more and to discuss your options, please speak to Prestige Mortgage Solutions telephone 0330 135 8047 OR email – lnfo@prestigemortgagesolutions.co.uk.
Source Data:
(1) Research of 2000 homeowners in the UK was carried out by Leadership Factor on behalf of Coventry Building Society from 30th September to 6th October https;//www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/housing/owning-and-renting/homeownership/latest.
(2) UK Housing: Fit for the future? – Climate Change Committee (theccc.org.uk)