The demand for sustainable, eco-friendly homes has never been as high as it is now. A 2021 survey carried out by Leaders Romans Group (LRG) revealed that 70% of respondents across the UK would like their property to be more eco-friendly.
The rise of carbon–negative homes is fantastic not only for reducing a household’s energy bills but also for their carbon footprint.
What is an eco-home?
As we all know, the world is evolving and we need to make a collective effort to reduce carbon emissions. In terms of homes, this means ensuring that they’re created with the environment in mind.
True eco-friendly homes typically feature smart energy-saving technology, including thermostatsand lights. In addition to this, they offer maximum insulation due to their air-tight build. Let’s take a deeper look at exactly what an eco-home entails and how many people now want one.
Building
Ecological advancements must be extended to the building itself; the architectural design and the building’s features should have green qualities to create the ultimate eco-friendly home. This could look like a property with double or triple-glazed windows, insulation, or renewable technology such as solar panels.
Once upon a time, incredibly sustainable homes were a rarity – how things change! In 2021, there were up to 30,000 low-carbon homes in the pipeline, another indication that the demand for eco-friendly properties is rising.
When looking for houses, focus your time and attention on the buildings that have green qualities. As well as the characteristics mentioned above, this can also include electric vehicle charging points, air source heat pumps, and pollution and waste reduction measures.
St. Modwen is one company building eco-friendly homes that feature the green characteristics mentioned above, such as these carbon–negative houses for sale in Copthorne.
Heat and electricity generation
Renewable technology has come a long way over the years. Now, homes can employ solar panels and air source heat pumps to dramatically reduce the cost of their heating and electricitybills. According to The Energy Saving Trust, solar panels will reduce your electricity bills. Use their online calculator to find out how much you could save. In a similar way, air source heat pumps could save you up to £3,400 per year on your heating bills (depending on your property type and existing heating system).
When looking for a new home to buy, more and more people are treating renewable energy systems as a must-have. In fact, a recent survey revealed that 65% of respondents are either “very likely” or “likely” to purchase a property with solar panels.
EPC Rating
The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of a property offers a great indication of how eco-friendly a home is, and the system is starting to be taken more seriously by prospective buyers. People want to know the house they’re purchasing isn’t going to cost them a fortune in running costs.
Insulation, double glazing, and renewable technology can all boost a home’s EPC rating, and properties that have a high rating of A or B are likely to sell faster than those with a rating of Cand beyond, according to House Fox.
How popular are eco-homes becoming?
A Green Homes Report produced by Rightmove claims one in ten movers are now actively searching for green homes. In addition, there are now 73% more green features in property listings compared to 2020. The demand for eco-friendly homes is certainly on the rise, with 89% of homeowners saying saving money on energy bills is their biggest motivation.
Generally, people are becoming more eco-conscious and are regularly looking for ways to do their bit for climate change, and as a result, we can expect to see more eco-homes on offer across the UK.
3 https://www.pvfitcalculator.energysavingtrust.org.uk
4 https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/air-source-heat-pumps/
