How to use this invisible fuel to raise your property value

There may be some tricks that you’ve not yet considered which could boost your property value, guarantee the sale price it warrants and a faster sale.   

Energy efficient properties not only sell for more but they sell much quicker than those that are more expensive to run too.

And this trend is the same for the rental sector, so landlords should listen up too if you want to make your properties earn their keep! 

Let’s take a look at some cost-effective ways of making your home more energy efficient. 

Insulation, Ventilation and Draught-proofing

Depending on your property location, insulation, ventilation and draught-proofing could be the surest way of getting a return on energy efficiency improvement investment. 

The colder the climate you live in the higher the return installing insulation will give you. 

TOP TOP:  Loft insulation is cheap to install and will last for at least 40 years, very quickly paying for itself. 

A property with well-sealed windows and doors could be £50 a year cheaper to run, increasing its sale value. 

TOP TOP:  Find unseen energy-guzzling draughts by carrying a lit candle or incense stick around your home!

After sealing up unwanted energy leaks, a further 10% + in energy efficiency value could be added to your property as the heating thermostat can be turned down.   

Good ventilation is also vital to ensure long-life of your property fabrication.  

Interiors designed with energy efficiency in mind will appeal to the energy bill savvy home buyer: 

•Deflect heat back into a room by fitting a shelf above and using foil on the wall behind, especially for external walls!

•Fit energy-saving light bulbs 

•Thermostat should NOT be in the hallway!  Position in most used room. 

•A well serviced boiler is more efficient and valuable than un-serviced. 

Lots more tips for making home energy efficiency improvements here….http://bit.ly/home-energy-efficiency

Getting your property renewable ready

So, a home that is energy efficient and so cheap to run is going to sell quicker and at the price you want. 

And how about adding ‘zero bills’ to your sales pamphlet and the appeal goes right up!

Yes, switching to renewable systems like solar, biomass boilers and heat pumps, requires up-front investment, but with many generous incentives schemes, you can sell the excess you make as well as run your home comfortably at no cost. 

Energy efficiency survey

Another top tip when considering moving to renewables is to make sure you carry out a home energy efficiency survey first, this is to make sure you get the expected returns on your investment.  

No point in generating your own solar energy if it’s lost through leaky walls and an inefficient water system! 

Selling your property at a ‘ready-for-renewable’ stage is a great sales strategy, akin to having planning permission for land. 

Domestic renewable energy markets are a massively growing sector globally and set to expand over the next ten to fifteen years.  

In Sweden, as an example, national use of biomass energy has surpassed that of oil. 

At least 30 nations around the world already have renewable energy contributing more than 20 per cent of energy supply.

And 70m households worldwide are currently meeting a portion of water heating needs from solar water heating systems. 

The renewables trend is set to continue and is being driven by legal penalties, in both the rental and private sector, placing focus on low carbon housing.  

In fact, 120 countries globally have policy targets in place for renewable energy production. 

If your property has a high energy efficiency performance and therefore is ‘renewable-ready’ it will have more market appeal as renewable systems won’t work for inefficient properties. 

Energy efficiency appliances 

Also, don’t forget the importance of how energy is used in your home.  You might be low energy-users, but preparing your home for high-energy users is of real value. 

Look at high energy-consuming rooms, like the bathroom and kitchen, and if you have energy efficient appliances, freezer or dishwasher for example, you’re leaving behind, highlight these in your sales information.  Fitting an efficient shower could be a real crowd-pleaser for a family with lots of sports-playing children!

Plan, plan, plan 

Before you go ahead with any improvements, carry out a preliminary check. 

Download and carry this step by step energy saving check-list around your home as you make your own energy efficiency evaluation.

Energy efficiency is positive energy 

What could be seen a drawbacks in your property spec, could actually be energy-saving appeal. 

A property with no bath for example, is actually much cheaper to run and a mid-apartment has the benefit of benefitting from heating from the above and below occupancies. 

What looks like a small back yard, has a lot more appeal if it is seen at as a ‘free clothes dryer’!  

With rising energy bills and global climate change targets, the relationship between your property and energy efficiency is as important as ever!