Monday, June 25, 2012
It's official: green homes are now more popular
with potential house buyers, according to a new report commissioned
to launch the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Master
Builder of the Year Awards.
As the FMB begins its search for the UK's greenest
builder, a new report reveals that 1 in 3 (29%) think that green
technology adds value to a home, with 1 in 5 potential buyers
saying a house with eco-features is more up to date. The vast
majority - three quarters of potential buyers - are attracted to a
home with eco-features as a way of saving money on energy
bills.
Last year's Master of the Builder Awards
eco-winner spent £400,000 building his eco-home in Brighton, which
immediately doubled in value and has reduced his energy bills
significantly to almost nothing. The Awards, which showcase the
latest in building trends, has seen a year-on-year increase in the
number of green homes nominated, reflecting homeowner demand for
eco-solutions as part of their building work.
Green home improvement work is set to increase
further from January 2013 as the Government last week gave the
green light for the industry to progress with the Green Deal
programme, which will help bill payers make energy-saving
improvements to keep their homes warm.
Latest Government figures show that more than half
of homes do not have enough insulation or an efficient condensing
boiler and most do not have proper heating
controls.
Below are the FMB's top five tips on
making your home more energy
efficient:
1.
Mind the gaps
Did you know that up
to 25% of heat in many homes is lost through inadequate draft
proofing? Check that windows and doors close properly and if there
are gaps, either use a draft excluder or fit draft proofing strips
around the sides of the doors and windows.
2.
Time for a new boiler
Heating and hot water
account for about 60% of the average fuel bill. If your boiler is
older than 15 years, it should be replaced. By installing a high
efficiency condensing boiler, you will save around one-third on
your bills.
3.
Insulate before you
generate
Good insulation is
crucial to ensuring that you are not losing heating that you have
already paid for. Current Building Regulations recommend that the
minimum level of loft insulation should be 200mm (8″). It is also
worth insulating your walls as you could also be losing a further
35% of your heat through them. A further 15% of heating can be lost
through the floor. Having floor insulation installed will
dramatically reduce this.
4.
Ensure water pipes are properly
lagged
To ensure your water
pipes are working to maximum capacity make sure they are lagged
correctly. Remember to check the loft for exposed
pipes.
5.
Generate your own
energy
Generating your own
energy can be a significant expense but, if you choose the right
technologies, it could save you a substantial amount on your energy
costs. There are also grants available to some homeowners to help
cover the cost of installing the technology. A specialist builder
will be able to advise you on what's best for your
home.