SAVINGS, SAVINGS, SAVINGS
If you’re buying a new home, doubtless Phil Spencer’s name will pop into your head at some point. After proving his homehunting prowess alongside Kirstie Allsopp in Location, Location, Location, there must be millions of British house hunters wishing they had a Phil Spencer of their very own.
But his interest in our homes doesn’t end when we first step over the threshold. He wants us all to make our homes more efficient. And it’s not just about saving money now. New research reveals that eight in 10 people would only make an offer on a house that is already energy efficient.
‘We all know that having an energy- efficient home can lower bills and save money. In a turbulent market, new homeowners are now considering every aspect of a house before making an offer,’ he says.
‘The relationship we have with things like food, water, petrol and money, means we know not to waste those things. We need to apply the same analysis towards energy waste. In these days of increasing energy cost, it’s something we need to be very conscious of.
‘We’re all banging the drum saying energy is very expensive – and it is expensive. That’s the world we live in, but so many of us waste it without even knowing.’
Clearly eager to get the country saving money on their energy bills, I wonder if he is fighting the good fight in his own home.
‘Last year, we got somebody to come to our house with a little contraption and show us where we were losing heat and where the draughts were. Round the pipes, under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom… you wouldn’t necessarily think of that but a whole lot of heat can escape from those areas. Our loft is insulated; it didn’t cost very much but it saves a whole bundle. ‘We’re quite conscious of the temperature of the house, the length of time we heat it and when the heating comes on and goes off,’ he continues.
Since he moved to his semi-detached Victorian house, ‘virtually all of it has been updated’ – from replacing all the windows and doors to installing a new heating system. ‘I like to think we are pretty energy efficient but there is always more to be done.’
Building regulations force new builds to be highly energy efficient. But how about our large stock of period homes?
‘We are blessed in this country with a very rich history in terms of our architecture; we have some, if not all, of the best old buildings in the world. But old buildings weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind. So we have challenges in this country that other countries don’t face.’
Although he tells me that building regulations now force us to comply with EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ratings, Phil fears that we aren’t catching up with other efficient countries quickly enough.
‘There is some really cool stuff out there but it’s yet to find its way into the mainstream.’
Research from the Department of Energy and Climate Change has suggested that energy-saving improvements, such as a new boiler or loft and wall insulation, could increase a home’s value by as much as 38 per cent in some parts of the UK.
‘The energy rating of a house and the costs of running it are factors in a purchasing decision. If yours is efficient it would certainly aid your sale, the speed of your sale, and the marketability. I’m not convinced that it would put significant pounds and pence on the value of your home but it would absolutely help you sell it.’
Phil continues, ‘In times to come, I believe it will put significant value on your home. Energy is expensive and it’s not just buying the house, you’ve got to run it too, and people are very conscious of that now.’
Phil Spencer is working with Npower to show people how easy it is to save energy around the home.
For more information: 0800-048 0593, npower.com/press
But his interest in our homes doesn’t end when we first step over the threshold. He wants us all to make our homes more efficient. And it’s not just about saving money now. New research reveals that eight in 10 people would only make an offer on a house that is already energy efficient.
‘We all know that having an energy- efficient home can lower bills and save money. In a turbulent market, new homeowners are now considering every aspect of a house before making an offer,’ he says.
‘The relationship we have with things like food, water, petrol and money, means we know not to waste those things. We need to apply the same analysis towards energy waste. In these days of increasing energy cost, it’s something we need to be very conscious of.
‘We’re all banging the drum saying energy is very expensive – and it is expensive. That’s the world we live in, but so many of us waste it without even knowing.’
Clearly eager to get the country saving money on their energy bills, I wonder if he is fighting the good fight in his own home.
‘Last year, we got somebody to come to our house with a little contraption and show us where we were losing heat and where the draughts were. Round the pipes, under the sink in the kitchen and bathroom… you wouldn’t necessarily think of that but a whole lot of heat can escape from those areas. Our loft is insulated; it didn’t cost very much but it saves a whole bundle. ‘We’re quite conscious of the temperature of the house, the length of time we heat it and when the heating comes on and goes off,’ he continues.
Since he moved to his semi-detached Victorian house, ‘virtually all of it has been updated’ – from replacing all the windows and doors to installing a new heating system. ‘I like to think we are pretty energy efficient but there is always more to be done.’
Building regulations force new builds to be highly energy efficient. But how about our large stock of period homes?
‘We are blessed in this country with a very rich history in terms of our architecture; we have some, if not all, of the best old buildings in the world. But old buildings weren’t built with energy efficiency in mind. So we have challenges in this country that other countries don’t face.’
Although he tells me that building regulations now force us to comply with EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) ratings, Phil fears that we aren’t catching up with other efficient countries quickly enough.
‘There is some really cool stuff out there but it’s yet to find its way into the mainstream.’
Research from the Department of Energy and Climate Change has suggested that energy-saving improvements, such as a new boiler or loft and wall insulation, could increase a home’s value by as much as 38 per cent in some parts of the UK.
‘The energy rating of a house and the costs of running it are factors in a purchasing decision. If yours is efficient it would certainly aid your sale, the speed of your sale, and the marketability. I’m not convinced that it would put significant pounds and pence on the value of your home but it would absolutely help you sell it.’
Phil continues, ‘In times to come, I believe it will put significant value on your home. Energy is expensive and it’s not just buying the house, you’ve got to run it too, and people are very conscious of that now.’
Energy facts
- Leaving a heated towel rail on constantly could add hundreds of pounds to your yearly bill.
- Loft insulation costs £300 and you could earn that money back in savings, within two years.
- Cavity-wall insulation costs £500 and you could redeem that amount within four years.
- According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average household could save up to £325 a year by being more energy efficient. It also found that 70 per cent of buyers would negotiate down the price of the house if it didn’t have a new boiler, and loft and wall insulation.
Phil Spencer is working with Npower to show people how easy it is to save energy around the home.
For more information: 0800-048 0593, npower.com/press
Phil’s HOT tips
- Get roof and cavity wall insulation.
- Draughtproof your home.
- Use energy-efficient lighting.
- Switch appliances off standby mode.
- Only use the highest temperature dishwasher setting when your plates are very dirty.
- Your clothes don’t need to be washed at 60C unless they are covered in mud; just wash at 30C.
- Lag your hot-water tank with an 80mm insulating jacket and only use the immersion heater when absolutely necessary.
- By turning your heating down 1C you can save money and shouldn’t notice a difference in temperature. Alternatively, wear another layer.
- Have your boiler serviced every year. And you should replace it every 10 years.
- Set your hot-water cylinder thermostat to 60C/140F. This will make sure you don’t overheat your water unnecessarily.
- If your central-heating system also heats your hot water, insulate the pipes that run between the boiler and tank.
- Fit thermostatic controls on your boiler, hot-water tank and radiator valves (TRVs) so that you have more control over the temperature in your house.