Natwest’s research shows that 39% of prospective homebuyers hoping to buy a property over the next decade responded that the home’s EPC rating was a very important factor. This is a significant number, but other features and facilities ranked higher in the priorities list, including cost (68% replied with “very important”, location (63%), and internet speed (51%).
So, which green upgrades make a home more appealing?
The report states that homebuyers consider some eco-features a “must-have”. Most respondents see double-glazed windows as “essential” (34%) or “very important” (36%). Loft insulation is considered “essential” by 26% and “very important” by 33%.
The report also found that upfront costs were the most common barrier to starting energy-efficient home upgrades. 67% of respondents worried about the cost and stated that making improvements would be simply too expensive, while 55% said they were reluctant to take on debt, and 37% said that it would take too long to see the savings on energy bills.
The cost of upgrading a home to make it more energy efficient is a common worry among homeowners who otherwise would like to benefit from a greener property. This may explain the considerable increase in net zero new build housing, as trends shift towards newly-built properties and eco investment as a way to ensure that a home is as energy efficient as possible, without the need for pricey retrofitting.
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