Green upgrades help sellers pocket up to 16% more for their home

Love or Hate Rightmove
  • Homeowners making energy efficiency improvements before selling are banking as much as 16% extra on average, compared to those who haven’t made any improvements
  • The unique study found that upgrading from an F to a C EPC rating adds an additional 16% on average to the sold price of a property, while moving from an E to a C rating adds an additional 8%, and from a D to a C adds an average of 4%
  • Based on the current national average asking price of property, this could mean an additional £55,111 for someone who upgrades their home from an F up to a C rating
  • In the last five years, more than one in five (22%) homes in Great Britain has upgraded from a D rating or below, to a C rating or above, with the South East leading the way (26%)
  • Cardiff (35%), Coventry (34%) and Barry (33%) top the list of local areas that have seen the largest proportion of homes convert to a C or above rating, from a D or below, in the last five years
  • In the week that the government released its Heat and Buildings Strategy, the data suggests more buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home more ready for the future

A unique new study from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals that sellers who have upgraded the Energy Performance Certificate rating of their home to a C, from a D, E or F rating are pocketing as much as 16% extra on average when selling their home.

The study analysed over 200,000 homes listed on Rightmove that had sold twice, with an improved EPC rating the second time, to understand the impact of energy efficiency improvements on the final sold price of a home.

Those who had upgraded their rating from an F to a C, are adding an average of 16% to the price achieved for their home. Moving from an E to a C is banking sellers an extra 8% on average, and moving from a D to a C is resulting in an average of 4% extra.

Based on the current national average asking price of property, £344,445, this could mean an additional £55,111 for someone moving from an F to a C rating, £27,556 for someone moving from an E to a C rating, or an extra £13,778 for someone moving from a D to a C rating.

This comes as the government releases its Heat and Buildings Strategy, designed to set out how to lower the carbon emissions of homes and commercial buildings. Rightmove’s data suggests buyers are willing to pay a premium to secure a home more ready for the future.

In the last five years, more than one in five (22%) homes in Great Britain has upgraded from a D rating or below, to a C rating or above. The South East topped the regional list at 26%, followed by Wales (24%) and the East of England (23%).

At a local level, Cardiff leads the way with the biggest proportion of its homes improved from a D rating or below, to a C rating or above in the last five years, with more than a third (35%). Coventry (34%) came second, and Barry in Wales (33%) came third.

 

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s Director of Property Data comments: “Ahead of Cop26, many people will be more conscious of their personal impact on the planet, and will be looking for ways to be greener, including in their home. Although some of the bigger improvements to make homes more energy efficient can be costly, in its latest strategy, the government has outlined ways it wants to support green choices. Our study suggests the longer-term value upgrading the rating of your home’s Energy Performance Certificate can have when it comes to the time to sell. While this naturally needs to be balanced with the investment needed to improve it, we expect that the energy efficiency of a home will increasingly be a priority for buyers in the next few years, and these initial numbers suggest people are willing to pay an extra premium for a home better designed for the future.”

 

How improving EPC rating impacts the sold price of a home

 

Original EPC rating New EPC rating  

Average sold price premium (%)

 

Sold price premium based on current national average asking price (£)

F C 16% £55,111
E C 8% £27,556
D C 4% £13,778

 

Areas that have seen the biggest proportion of homes improve to a C rating

 

Location Region Proportion of homes improved to a C or above rating from a D or below
Cardiff Wales 35%
Coventry West Midlands 34%
Barry Wales 33%
Woking South East 32%
Poole South West 31%
Wythenshawe North West 31%
Chester North West 31%
Swindon South West 31%
Guildford South East 31%
Thornaby On Tess North East 30%

Rightmove

UK Property news updates shared directly from Rightmove PLC - the country's leading property portal.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agents should not all look the same
Estate Agent Talk

How to Become an Estate Agent with No Experience

Breaking into the property industry can seem intimidating – especially if you’ve never worked in it before. But the good news? You don’t need years of experience or fancy qualifications to start a career as an estate agent in the UK. In fact, many successful estate agents started with no background in property at all.…
Read More
buying at auction uk
Estate Agent Talk

9 Advantages of Selling Your House by Auction

Selling your house by auction might seem like a daunting prospect, but it comes with numerous advantages that can make it a highly attractive option. While the traditional method of selling through an estate agent has its place, auctions are increasingly becoming a popular choice for homeowners looking for a swift and reliable sale. Here…
Read More
Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More