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Residential environment Eco Homes Green Living

Eco Economics: Can an Eco Home be Truly Cost-Effective?

Q2 2018

Eco-friendly homes are good for the environment, but are they a good investment? Here, we examine the ways in which investing in an eco home can be cost-efficient in the long run.

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Simon Roberts

Senior Director, Head of Regional Agency - South & East

+44 1753 481788

With the summer solstice slowly dawning upon us and temperatures rising, it is a good time to give some thought to our environment and what we can do to help improve and preserve it. Indeed, research from the Environment Agency dictates that our living accommodation accounts for 30% of the UK’s total energy usage, as well as 24% of greenhouse gas emissions and 27% of UK carbon dioxide emissions.


As the name implies, eco-friendly homes are designed with the goal of ecological preservation in mind. They employ features such as renewable energy, water collection, recycling systems and energy-efficient appliances. Those specialist qualities cost money, however, and can make eco-friendly homes more expensive. With a bit of ingenuity and planning, however, “going green” can be cost-effective in the long run. The summer solstice means more sunlight and therefore more solar power, after all!


Schedule a home energy audit

Scheduling a home energy audit can help ensure your home is as energy efficient as possible. An energy auditor can find “weak spots” in your home where energy is being used unnecessarily. You might be advised to seal your windows or add insulation to certain walls, which will help keep your electricity bill in check. A recent study found that adding eco-friendly features to the home will save approximately £138 per year, on average.


Install a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats, or smart thermostats, are one of the best features you can add to an eco-friendly home. They allow you to program the temperature in your home down to the hour based on your personal preferences to fit your schedule. They can even be adjusted to the weather and humidity. They allow you to conserve energy by regulating the temperature when you aren’t at home, which will save you money on utility bills.


Plant a garden

Take your ecological prowess to the next level and consider planting a garden. You’ll be adding a beautiful feature to your home’s grounds and you can save money on groceries by growing your own fruit and vegetables. Plus, few things are more pleasurable than being able to fetch some fresh herbs from your own garden as you prepare dinner.


Investing in the environment

While it is true that eco-friendly homes and their various features can be more expensive than traditional homes, bear in mind that you are making an investment in the environment – and that investment could pay off if you decide to sell your home in the future. As the popularity of green homes continues to grow, so does their resale value, meaning your investment in the environment could make you money down the road. What’s more, utility bills are predicted to continue to rise, while technological developments and economies of scale will likely result in cheaper eco-friendly household components. Therefore, it makes sense to install resource efficient elements from both an ecological and an economic point of view.


Find the perfect eco-friendly home

If you are in the market for an eco-friendly home, turn to the experts at Strutt & Parker for your property search. With listings throughout the UK, we can help you find precisely what you are looking for.


Our pick of the best eco homes

The Granary, Cott Street, Swanmore Southampton SO32 – Ideal for the eco conscious family, The Granary is in the top 1% of energy efficient homes in the country, with an energy performance rating of A92 and uses renewable energy sources. This means it benefits from both Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes. The net running costs are just over £500 per annum. This low maintenance eco house is just 13 miles from the centre of Winchester.

Old Vineyard, King Street, Minchinhampton Stroud Gloucestershire GL6 – This open plan eco-friendly house was built to take full advantage of the superb Cotswold countryside views. The high specification features include 100% draught proofing, ground source heat pump, solar thermal panels for domestic hot water, rainwater harvesting and even a green/living roof.