The energy situation in the UK is dire and the country needs to do something about its ailing infrastructure fast. However, that doesn’t mean that the government is going to give up on green homes. It is still committed to a net zero future, despite recent events, and it knows that changing how the average person lives is the keystone to sustainable goals.
Fortunately, green homes are becoming more popular. Millennials are moving strongly into the housing market and they want to own properties that meet their domestic EPC requirements. Younger buyers want dwellings that minimise environmental damage and keep carbon emissions low.
You can see this change in market dynamics in the types of homes that these younger people are buying. Purchasers want insulated walls, floors, and roofs. Many also request airtight construction and energy-efficient windows that double as solar reflectors in the summer to keep the heat out.
We are also seeing the addition of solar panels and heat pumps for on-site energy generation. Buyers want properties that can heat themselves and don’t rely so much on the grid to function. It’s not about being independent or “off-grid” but sustainable in the face of climate chaos.
The Benefits Of Living In A Green Home
The government is keen to point out, of course, that living in a green home comes with numerous benefits. Properties that reduce energy consumption, for instance, are more likely to rank higher on EPC scales. Those above C lose less heat in the winter, meaning their boilers don’t need to work as hard to keep them warm. Once they reach the desired temperature, they are like Thermos flasks, remaining warmer for longer and using less energy.
The government is also maintaining the Green Deal, which offers massive subsidies to homeowners looking to make environmentally-friendly upgrades to their homes. These reduce the cost of things like heat pumps substantially while making the technology more accessible. Homeowners pay a small upfront fee and the government meets the rest of the costs, depending on meeting certain criteria.
There’s also the government’s boiler upgrade scheme, offering large grants to people to replace old and inefficient boilers. The number of those eligible is small, but ministers believe the move will help more people reduce energy consumption and remain warm in the winter.
Government Not Giving Up
The announcement that the UK will relax some of its environmental laws and open up coal mining operations came as a shock for many. But ministers likely believe this approach is necessary to provide the extra energy kick the economy needs to tip it over into a more sustainable future.
For example, the growing demand for electric vehicles is putting pressure on the electricity grid to generate more energy from non-existent power sources. The government’s new move will see more electricity available for these purposes, helping these industries get to scale and begin dominating the market. It could be a short-term ecological cost that results in long-term gains for the environment, communities, and the planet as a whole.
