Studies show that, in 2022, 61% percent of house buyers stated that energy efficiency is a priority when choosing a new home. Property conveyancing solicitors online will likely confirm that customers are more focused than ever on sustainable architecture and features.
That said, a lot of sellers are still confused as to just what that might mean. In this article, we’ll be exploring some ideas for making your home more appealing to potential, green-minded buyers. Take a look…
6 Sustainable Home Ideas
1. Utilise Solar Energy
The one single most effective way of making your house sustainable is to switch to solar energy as this can cut your electricity usage (and bills) by 15% to 25%. You will have to check if this kind of energy is suitable for your home, as it involves replacing part of your roof with solar panels. You also need a roof pitch of between 20 and 40 degrees to be effective. You can check here to see if your house is eligible for solar power.
Solar energy can be expensive to install, so you’ll need to weigh up the cost of installation against the possible benefits when selling your home.
2. Water Works
The average home uses a whopping 16,000 litres of water each and every year. Almost a third of this is thrown, quite literally, down the drain through actions like flushing the toilet.
We’re not, of course, suggesting that you stop flushing the loo, but fitting your home with features such as water aerators and low flow appliances (suitable for toilets and showers) can significantly help to make your house more sustainable and, therefore, more attractive to those eco-conscious buyers.
3. Windows and Doors
If the eyes are the windows of the soul, then your homes windows are the beating heart when it comes to sustainability. Poorly fitted or badly insulated windows can be responsible for a heat loss of around 3 percent within a home.Having poor windows is not only wasteful but also more expensive than ever, following recent price hikes which have put much of the United Kingdom into a tailspin.
Don’t worry though, you don’t necessarily have to replace your windows completely as there are a few ways in which you can fix this at a reasonable cost. Check your windows for draughts and, if necessary, invest in window caulk and weatherstrips to prevent loss of heat.
While you’re at it, it’s worth checking your exterior doors too to make sure that they’re welcoming visitors rather than bidding farewell to your hard-earned cash. Like windows, doors can let out a lot of heat from your home if they’re badly fitted or not well insulated enough, so it’s a really good idea to check your doors for issues.
4. Get Smart
Installing a Smart Meter in your home can net you some big savings on energy and costs.Smart Meters allow you to take control of your energy use by monitoring and adjusting settings accordingly. They’re usually really affordable, and easy to install.
You may even be able to get a Smart Meter free of charge!If you are the account holder and are responsible for paying your energy bills, get in touch with your supplier to see if you’re eligible for a free meter.
5. The Walls Have Ears
The walls in your home are another area in which precious heat is lost. Your first port of call is to check your walls for any cracks or holes which may be leaking heat, and cold hard cash, in order to get these fixed as soon as possible.
You might also consider investing in thermal wallpaper, created from advanced heat-sealing material and bonded to a high-quality decorative paper.This clever wallpaper adds a blanket type layer of heat to a room, preventing loss of energy through your walls. It also saves new buyers from making these changes to the walls themselves.
6. Consider Green Architecture
You can also check to see if your home contains any sustainable architecture which may make it more attractive to a buyer. Sustainable architecture has become something of a thing in recent years, and is all about creating homes which are, quite literally, built around energy efficiency.
This includes the materials that the property has been built with. For example, eco-friendly and sustainable materials which have been responsibly sourced. A residential architect will be able to help you to identify these areas and point you in the right direction to making improvements.
Go Green, to See More Green…
Don’t underestimate the value of making sustainable changes to your home! When looking into making changes, the first thing you need to do is get an energy certificate if you don’t already have one, as this is now a legal requirement when selling a property.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) features information about your home’s energy use and its typical energy costs. Your EPC will rate your property from A to G, with A being the most efficient, and will also offer recommendations on reducing your usage.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a huge amount of money in order to make your home sustainable. Take the time to properly inspect your property in order to identify areas which need improvement; you’ll be surprised how many there are!
Article Submitted By Community Writer