Are energy-efficient homes the answer to rising energy bills and climate change?

New study by Snugg reveals extent of energy cost savings and property value increases from energy efficiency upgrades by house type

House types in Edinburgh
5/12/2022

As the UK’s cost of living crisis worsens and energy bills continue to soar, the financial pressure facing households requires urgent action.

Two-thirds of UK households are expected to be pushed into fuel poverty by January 20231, with 24 million people reporting that they’re cutting back on their gas and electricity usage as a precaution.2

People are layering up and turning down their thermostats. But these are just short-term energy-saving solutions.

To make real progress, we also need to also make bigger changes that help in the long run. Installing solar panels, insulating walls and double-glazing windows are a few of the solutions available.

This week, we published two reports examining the impact of making these bigger changes in Bristol and Edinburgh.

Read the Edinburgh report.

Read the Bristol report.

Big benefits are up for grabs

Our research found that improving the long-term energy efficiency of homes in those cities alone could cut energy bills by thousands and carbon emissions by… a lot.

Edinburgh alone could save 245,000 tonnes of carbon annually - equivalent to the weight of all the cars in the city.

21% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from our homes. So that would significantly boost the UK’s goal of reaching net zero by 2030.

At the same time, we found that the financial impact of making a home more energy efficient could do more than cut energy bills. It could boost a home’s property value too.

Bristol homeowners could add ~£15,000 to the value of their homes.

‍Each home needs its own unique plan

Our report delves into the nuances between property type and what can be done to help combat skyrocketing energy costs.

The study splits Edinburgh’s housing stock into five different ‘tribes’, including Georgian homes (Gorgeous Georgians), tenements (Toasty Tenements), bungalows (Breeze Free Bungalows), post-war builds (Mid-Century Marvels) and new builds (Nifty New Builds).

And Bristol’s housing stock into Georgian homes (Gorgeous Georgians), Georgian conversions (Cosy Conversions), Domestic revivals (Reliable Revivals), post-war builds (Mid-Century Marvels) and new builds (Nifty New Builds).

With tips for each property tribe, Snugg is at the forefront of a campaign to help Edinburgh and Bristol's homeowners save money on their energy bills in the short term, and add value to their property in the long run, all whilst reducing their home’s carbon emissions.

Robin Peters, CEO and founder of Snugg, said:

“It’s no secret that energy costs have skyrocketed in the past year, and even with governmental support they’re set to hit our pockets hard next year too.

Our research sought to understand the options Edinburgh and Bristol homeowners have when it comes to making their spaces more energy efficient - and the financial implications of these in both the short and long term.

There’s no silver bullet or one-size-fits-all approach - that’s why we’ve split our research out into different housing ‘tribes’, catering to the various possibilities homeowners have when it comes to making energy efficiency changes.

We know that the upfront costs of making energy efficiency changes to your home can be daunting. But, as our research has shown, the benefits far outweigh the costs when the increase in property value is factored into the equation.

Knowing where to start with making your space more energy efficient can be hard. But with Snugg, it’s possible to get a personalised plan, estimated costs and even recommended installers to make the changes in just minutes - the benefits are dramatic. It’s a no-brainer.”

Read the Edinburgh report.

Read the Bristol report.

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