house value vs efficiency graph (purple)

Energy-Efficient Homes and UK Property Value (2024)

Posted on November 27, 2024

Energy efficiency is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the UK housing market, influencing both property values and rental income. As the government tightens regulations and homebuyers and tenants become more environmentally conscious, energy efficiency is no longer just a secondary factor but a significant driver in property valuation. This article explores how energy-efficient housing impacts house prices and rental values in the UK, and examines how future trends, including global and domestic policies, will shape the real estate market in the coming years. The Rise of Energy Efficiency in the...

The Benefits of Exceeding Part L Regulations

Posted on November 20, 2024

by Russell Selby

When it comes to constructing or renovating properties, the minimum standard required by UK Building Regulations, particularly Part L, ensures a certain level of energy efficiency and insulation. While these regulations set a baseline for sustainability and energy conservation, they are far from the ultimate goal. It's puzzling why homeowners and small developers, aiming to create long-term value and comfortable living environments, settle for the lowest acceptable standard. This is not a strategy for success.In most areas of life, we understand that settling for the bare minimum is undesirable! Homebuilding...

External wall insulation being installed (purple)

Maximising Energy Efficiency with Wall & Roof Insulation

Posted on October 27, 2024

by Russell Selby

Insulation such as external wall insulation might seem like a simple concept. It's a material used to reduce heat loss, but it plays a crucial role in construction, especially in the UK’s cold and often windy climate. However, when selecting insulation materials, cost and thermal performance should not be the only factors considered. For those serious about lowering their energy consumption, balancing embodied and operational carbon is crucial to ensuring that today’s insulation choices reduce both immediate and long-term carbon impacts. This balance not only supports current energy efficiency but...

Kier Starmer talking sustainability (purple)

What Labour’s First 3 Months Mean for UK Housing (The Sustainability Revolution for all Begins!)

Posted on October 12, 2024

by Russell Selby

As Labour’s government settles into office, their focus on sustainability and housing, two key pillars of their election campaign have started to take shape. With the housing crisis and green policies at the forefront, Labour has begun to roll out initiatives aimed at transforming both sectors through their government sustainability policy framework. However, for these policies to truly succeed, they must be implemented carefully to avoid increasing social inequalities. Lower-income households often bear the brunt of climate impacts while benefiting the least from energy-efficient housing. Without inclusive measures, sustainable policies...

Be Empowered: The UK Homeowner’s Guide to Passive House Retrofits (Comfort, Savings & Sustainability)

Posted on August 10, 2024

by Russell Selby

All you need to know, as the demand for energy-efficient homes rises. Passive House (Passivhaus) for retrofit and new builds standard stands out as one of the most effective solutions for sustainable design. Countries such as Germany, Austria, Irleand, Scotland, and the Netherlands have implemented stringent building regulations that promote or require Passive House standards. Yet the adoption in England and Wales still lags behind. This article aims to explain the importance of Passive House, its application for your home regardless if it is a new build or retrofit.Why Passive...