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According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, improving the energy performance certificate of a property in North East England, from G to E can add £25,000 to the valuation of your home. In North West England, the valuation of your home can increase by £23,000 by improving the energy performance. Now, energy-efficient homes have become an influential factor in the valuation of a property.

Energy-efficient homes have become a thing of the present, and the future too. More and more people are choosing energy-efficient homes, for environmental reasons and financial reasons. For those of you who are looking to make home improvements, energy-efficient home improvements are one of the best ways to increase the valuation of your property while making it environmentally friendly too. Here is how you can improve the valuation of your home through energy efficiency in London.

1 Update the boiler

Your house can lose a lot of heat due to an old boiler. By upgrading your boiler, you can make your home more energy-efficient and even reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Usually, boilers are rated from A to G, with A-rated boilers being the best and most energy-efficient. By replacing an old boiler with an A-rated boiler, you can instantly make your home energy-efficient and even save a whopping £340 on average every year on your energy and gas bill.

2 Install solar panels

Solar panels are the future of energy sources. While the installation of solar panels is an expensive process, the end result will help you save thousands of pounds in utility bills. Solar panels basically convert sunlight into electricity which is then used to power lights, HVAC systems, appliances and so on. Since solar panels are a source of green and renewable energy, they will certainly add to the value of your property now, and in the long run.

3 Opt for insulation

On average, a home loses the maximum heat from the roof. It is highly recommended that you insulate the roof, the attic or the loft in order to save money and make the property energy efficient. Even insulating the walls, especially in older homes, is a great way to stop the loss of heat. Some owners even opt for floor insulation. By insulating your home, not only will you save hundreds of pounds on the electricity bill, but you will also be able to drive up the valuation of your property.

4 Choose energy-efficient appliances

Upgrade all your old appliances for energy-efficient appliances. This includes the HVAC system, refrigerators, microwaves, air conditioners, washing machines and any other appliance that has an energy-efficient alternative. Also, you can opt for water-saving showerheads and water-saving taps which can help reduce the overall water usage. Installing low-flow taps and low-flow toilets is also a good idea. Finally, you should replace all your bulbs and lights with LED lights as these lights consume less energy and are long-lasting. By replacing your appliances, you can make your home more energy-efficient, reduce your utility bills and even increase the valuation of your property.

5 Use smart thermostats

By using a smart thermostat, you can make your home energy-efficient instantly. Basically, a smart thermostat adjusts the temperature of your home automatically to allow optimal cooling or heating, depending on the weather conditions. Also, a smart thermostat adjusts the temperature when the house is empty, which is a great money-saving tactic in the long run. Smart thermostats work on your phone too, so you can easily turn it off or on, and adjust the temperature, even when you are away.

6 Make use of government schemes

The government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 80 per cent by 2025. In order to achieve this, the UK government is offering various schemes to help make the home more energy-efficient. One scheme is the Energy Company Obligation Scheme i.e. the ECO scheme, under which homeowners can get a grant to support energy-efficient home improvements. Another scheme is the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, i.e. the RHI scheme, under which homeowners can benefit financially if they use renewable energy sources. Depending on the location of your home, you can be eligible for such government schemes. You can always ask your local estate agents such as estate agents in Rainham about such schemes.

Of course, there are many simple home improvements that you can do in order to make your home more energy-efficient. Draught proofing your doors and windows is one such improvement. Double glaze and triple glaze your windows to stop heat loss. Invest in an energy monitor so that you can keep an eye on your energy consumption. Insulate pipes and radiators to make them more energy-efficient, and to save money. Install motion detected lights so that you don’t have to worry about turning the lights off when you leave the room. Big changes or small changes, everything makes a difference.

Rachel Sterry