Solar panels and EV charging top house hunters’ must haves
Nearly two thirds of those surveyed said they would want solar panels to be fitted as standard to a new home while four in 10 want EV charging points.
An energy-efficient house remains one of the most important factors for house hunters looking to make savings, research from YouGov reveals.
Nearly two thirds (64%) of those surveyed for Blenheim Estate Homes and Pye Homes said they would want solar panels to be fitted as standard (main picture) to a new home while four in 10 (42%) said homes with EV charging points were a must-have.
HEAT PUMP
An air source heat pump topped the list for just over a third (35%) while seven out of 10 (71%) felt that high-quality insulation was a deciding factor when looking for a new home.
Alex Rose, Director of Corporate Agency and New Homes at Zoopla, says: “Rising energy costs and an increased awareness of climate change are beginning to impact the priorities of home buyers.
“For environmentally conscious buyers, new-build homes are a great choice.
“Not only are they more energy-efficient – but they also cost less to run and can save you 52% on energy costs over a year in comparison to resale homes.
“This trend is something we expect to see continue in years to come as the government introduces additional policies to improve energy efficiency and reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.”
ENERGY EFFICIENT
Graham Flint, Managing Director of Pye Homes, adds: “This research shows the importance of continuing to build homes which are highly energy-efficient, not only for the environmental factor but also to ensure our homes continue to appeal to buyers with an evolving list of requirements as the market changes.”
The Neg reported last month how one in five (19%) first-time buyers say energy efficiency is a major factor when looking to purchase with Rightmove saying more help as well as significant incentives are needed for both landlords and homeowners to improve energy efficiency and bring down running costs.
