Buying a new home

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial investments you will ever make. Yet often some of the simple yet important things to look for when buying a home, such as energy efficiency, are overlooked in favour of more aesthetic factors like the colour of the front door. There are significant financial savings to be made with buying a home that is energy efficient. In addition, by reducing the amount of energy used in the home you are helping to prevent climate change.

Here are some key energy saving tips to consider when buying a home:

Bills, bills, bills

How much does this house cost to heat? Check the loft to see if it's insulated. If it isn't insulated a third of your space heating costs could be escaping through the roof.

Find out more about insulating your loft

Look for cavities

If you're viewing properties built after the 1920s they might have cavity walls. If they are un-insulated, over a third of your heating bills could be lost through the walls. Insulating cavity walls can save around £160 a year.

Find out more about insulating cavity walls

Leave behinds

Are the appliances Energy Saving Recommended? If the seller is leaving any major appliances in the property, such as a washing machine or fridge, this question is well worth asking. An Energy Saving Recommended fridge freezer could save you up to £39 a year.

Find out more about Energy Saving Recommended appliances

Old boiler

How old is the existing boiler? A boiler older than 15 years is likely to need replacing soon. Replacing it with a high efficiency condensing boiler can save you up to a third on your heating bills.

Find out more about high efficiencey condensing boiler

Windows

What type of glazing does the property have? If it has double glazing it could save around £140 a year as well as reducing noise and condensation.

Find out more about glazing

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