How to make your home greener

There’s no doubt that the majority of people are now more conscious of how their lifestyle and decisions affect the environment. From fortnightly recycling bins to meat-free meals, everyone seems to be playing a part and becoming more aware. And the same can be said when it comes to buying property. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to make your home greener and why this matters in 2024.

Energy efficiency home classifications

All domestic and non-domestic buildings in the UK must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to state the property’s current energy efficiency rating and its prospective rating if proposed improvements were made. The rating ranges from A (highly efficient) to G (highly inefficient).

What are the benefits of making your home greener?

Statista released data on the likelihood of home buyers to consider a green home in the UK. The data showed that 80% of first-time buyers and 73% of second-time buyers were likely to consider buying a green home. Thus, one of the main benefits of making your home greener is that it can make it more appealing to buyers in the property market. This is something to consider if you plan on selling your home soon, or even if you know your current home isn’t going to be your forever home.

The main reason buyers want to purchase greener homes is because they are cheaper to run. For example, having solar panels on the roof or energy-efficient windows can bring down heating bills.

How to make your home greener

Here are some small but significant ways to make your home greener this year, especially if you’re preparing for a sale:

• Upgrade to energy-efficient lightbulbs
• Add solar panels
• Install a smart metre
• Get double or triple glazing (there is a dispute about whether triple is significantly better than double)
• Add insulation to your wall cavities and attic
• Consider the eco-friendliness of your wall paint
• Swap your boiler for a modern heat pump – and add an automatic timer 
• Consider the manufacturing processes of furniture and materials inside your home

Is there funding to help make your home greener?

Yes, the government often has schemes to help homeowners and landlords improve the energy efficiency of their property. These schemes can change from time to time, but at the time of publication, there is The Green Homes Grant offering up to £5,000 and even up to £10,000 for some people. This is only available if your home has a poor energy efficiency rating and can be used for certain improvements, such as insulation or solar panels.

As well as The Green Homes Grant, there is a Home Upgrade Grant available through local authorities. This is also funding to improve the energy efficiency of properties, including heating appliances. It’s always worth looking into these options and any other that may be launched.

Taking advantage of government grants and simple modifications like energy-efficient upgrades can significantly improve your home's environmental impact and marketability, attracting eco-conscious buyers and potentially fetching a higher selling price.  

Get in touch with our friendly team today to discuss selling your property.