INSIGHT - Edition Ten - Winter 2021 online - Flipbook - Page 33
THE RISING DEMAND FOR
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES
In the wake of COP26, Rosie Spours, Branch Manager and Valuer
with our Alnwick Office, looks at the growing importance of high
rating Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s).
Energy Performance certificates, more commonly
known as EPC’s, are going to play a much greater part
of the home buying and selling process. Even if you’re
not planning on selling any time soon, it makes sense
to check your current EPC to see where you stand, and
consider improvements that could save you time, money
and hassle down the line whilst also cutting your carbon
emissions.
Figures are now showing properties with EPC ratings
of C or above are achieving greater values than those
with lower grades. Buyers are more conscious now of
how efficiently a home runs and the related energy
costs, being reassured by a high rated EPC means that
purchasers know they won’t have to spend too much
post purchase on new heating systems, insulation etc.
Further research from the Energy Saving Trust shows that
96% of UK homeowners are concerned about their home
energy efficiency with 22% of the UK’s carbon emissions
currently come from our homes.
to an EPC rating of C by 2035, although critics say this
deadline should be bought forward to as early as 2028. In
any case, it puts homeowners, who are currently below
a C rating in something of a predicament, as housing
experts now warn that non-energy efficient homes are at
risk of becoming difficult to sell.
The government’s plans to ensure homes are upgraded
beyond a C rating automatically makes those above this
level more appealing to buyers as they won’t be required
to carry out potentially costly improvements.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scheme is well
established. Since August 2007 for properties being sold,
and since October 2008 for properties being rented, all
dwellings must come with an EPC indicating its energy
efficiency level. Properties are placed in bands from A to
G, with an A rating being the most efficient, and G the
least.
In the initial years following the scheme’s introduction,
an EPC was largely viewed as ‘yet another piece of
paperwork’ involved in the home-buying process. In more
recent times, as energy prices increase and purchasers
become more aware of energy efficiency, it’s taken on
a new importance for both sellers and buyers and most
definitely for Landlords and Tenants.
Tackling emissions from UK homes will be key to enabling
the government to reach its climate targets. The Paris
Agreement, an agreement signed by all attending nations
during COP25, legally enforces the UK to be committed
to accelerating plans to reduce emissions. As such, the UK
Government wants to upgrade as many homes as possible
By taking proactive steps prior to selling, you will not only
potentially increase the sale price of your property but
also make a positive impact on addressing the climate
emergency.
If you are considering addressing energy efficiency
changes to your home and improving your EPC our
residential teams can assist you in sourcing the correct
professional guidance. To learn more about our residential
teams visit www.youngsrps.com.
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