The importance of energy efficiency

Climate change poses a significant economic threat. By the end of the century, it is estimated that climate change will cost the UK economy around £157 billion per year, more than the government currently spends on defence, policing, transport, and overseas aid combined. Additionally, the war in Ukraine has highlighted the UK’s reliance on foreign energy, with imports totalling £117 billion in 2022 alone. Even in typical years, the UK imports nearly £50 billion worth of energy.

Energy efficiency offers direct benefits to individual homeowners. For instance, installing a small solar system and battery can result in savings of nearly £16,000 over its lifetime, with an initial cost of around £8,000. Energy-efficient properties can also benefit from approximately £3,000 in mortgage lender incentives, and some lenders offer increased borrowing affordability and more flexible lending criteria for energy-efficient homes.

Benefits for homeowners

Energy efficiency not only reduces energy bills but also improves thermal comfort and ventilation, making homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. According to the Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (RICS), energy-efficient homes can see an increase in property value by up to 15%. In the future, as green standards become the norm, less efficient homes might face value reductions, known as a “brown discount.”

A real-life example illustrates this trend: two identical homes were listed on the market simultaneously; the one with solar panels sold for a premium of 2.4% more than the one without, highlighting the market’s growing recognition of energy-efficient improvements.

Landlords can also benefit from tax relief and compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards. Maintaining these standards ensures properties remain legally rentable and attractive to tenants.

Optimal timing for green upgrades

There are several key moments that present natural opportunities for making your home greener:

• Buying a new nome: This is an ideal time to incorporate energy efficiency measures. New homeowners are often eager to make improvements within the first year of purchase.
• Remortgaging: Many homeowners remortgage their properties to take advantage of better rates or to fund home improvements. This is a great opportunity to consider energy-efficient upgrades.
• Renovating: Major renovations provide a chance to integrate energy efficiency measures seamlessly into broader home improvement projects.
• Retirement: As homeowners look to reduce living costs and improve comfort, retirement is another significant trigger point for considering energy efficiency improvements.

Approaches for retrofitting

Two primary approaches to retrofitting can be considered:

• Fabric first approach: This prioritises measures like external wall insulation to optimise heat loss and air tightness. While this approach ensures future improvements are more effective, the financial return is usually weaker unless part of a broader renovation project.
• Fabric fifth approach: This focuses on immediate, less disruptive, and higher-return improvements like getting the property off gas, implementing smart home technology, and installing lower-cost insulation and solar panels. This approach typically makes better financial sense and lowers barriers to starting energy-efficient upgrades.

Support available

Eco  Approach has developed a tool called GreenVal, which provides a comprehensive report on your property’s energy efficiency. This tool helps homeowners compare improvements, see the financial returns, and get quotes from trusted installers. GreenVal also includes assessments of health and well-being benefits, making it a valuable resource for planning your green home improvements.