Green Mortgages

1st May 2017

Window Window

Green Mortgages

 

Craig Smith, Director, Copperfield Windows, explains why the energy efficiency of your home, could be key to securing the best mortgage deals.

 

The UK’s energy policy is stuck in a rut. The Green Deal was axed in summer 2015, since when, the Government’s plans to decarbonise our homes have been conspicuous only by their absence.

 

And with the Government’s policies post-Green Deal, remaining somewhat rudderless, there are those now calling on the private sector to provide a solution. Cue ‘green mortgages’, which if not be quite upon us, are not far off around the corner.

 

The World Green Building Council has already launched an initiative to encourage lenders to increase the availability of funding for energy efficient home improvements including energy efficient windows and doors.

 

It has called on mortgage providers to offer homebuyers better borrowing rates for purchasing more energy efficient homes or committing to or implementing energy saving work within properties.

 

The WGBC has studies to explore a hypothesis which suggests that occupiers of more energy efficient homes are less likely to default on mortgages, making them more attractive prospects to lenders.

 

This would create a positive cycle of lending. Homebuyers get a better deal on energy efficient properties or cash up front to improve the energy of their new homes. Mortgage companies get to lend at a reduced rate of risk.

 

Figures released by the Energy Saving Trust old windows account for around 25 per cent of heat lost from homes. It estimates that energy saving PVC double glazed windows and doors can cut this heat loss by up to 75 per cent.

 

In a detached three-bedroom home, according to the Energy Saving Trust, this can equate to an annual saving over and above single – and in many cases, older double-glazed windows - of up to £160 a year in heating bills. The annual savings could be even higher where triple-glazed units are installed.

 

Green mortgages may not quite be with us – yet – but we are already seeing home energy efficiency influence house prices, with double glazing or triple glazing high on the list of prospective buyers ‘must haves’.

 

The new study by GoCompare earlier this year found that of those polled 74% of househunters said that double glazing was their top priority other than central heating (79%). A good energy efficiency rating and cavity wall insulation were also highly rated features, mentioned by 53%.

 

This makes improving the energy efficiency of your home a shrewd move, whether you intend to sell, want to pocket the savings or have one eye to further savings and future green mortgage schemes.

 

Copperfield Windows supplies hundreds of energy efficient PVC-U windows and doors throughout Coventry each year, making homes not only warmer but more secure. This includes an extensive range of low maintenance and energy efficient PVC-U windows. These can achieve top u-values and Window Energy Ratings, including WER A++.

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me direct or a member of the team on 02476 452688 or admin.copperfield@btconnect.com to find out more.  

Request a free brochure here!

Your login details have been used by another user or machine. Login details can only be used once at any one time so you have therefore automatically been logged out. Please contact your sites administrator if you believe this other user or machine has unauthorised access.