Good news for homeowners! Some lenders are now factoring in EPC ratings when determining mortgage affordability, as reported in this article e from 10/12/2024.
This is a significant step forward, as it acknowledges what many of us already know—energy bills are becoming a financial burden, often feeling like a second mortgage. The idea that energy efficiency can reduce overall household expenses is now being recognized by lenders.
We are still far from achieving full energy efficiency in housing, but this shift is a positive step. It’s something we’ve been advocating for, and it’s encouraging to see banks starting to understand the financial benefits of homes that are energy-efficient. At Keystone Architecture & Design, we’ve recently completed an EPC A-rated home. Interestingly, fewer than 1% of new builds in the UK achieve this rating, which is both surprising and disappointing.
This change from lenders opens up new opportunities in the UK housing market. It means homeowners looking to make energy improvements could have more access to higher loan amounts—an incentive to upgrade existing homes to meet EPC A and B standards without compromising their budget. A home that’s cheaper to run not only makes mortgages more affordable but also aligns with everyone’s long-term interests, reducing both personal and environmental costs.
This is a crucial turning point in how the housing market—and the financial sector—approaches energy efficiency. We are a step closer to a more sustainable future, with financial structures starting to support this transition.
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At Keystone Architecture and Design we are passionate about improving the sustainability of the built environment. We have the knowledge and skills to take a holistic approach to designing your new building or extension, ensuring you get a high-performance building with the spaces you need and the finish quality you want. If you are considering an energy efficient new build, a Passive House project or retrofitting an existing property please contact us to see how we can help by email, phone or by using the contact form on our website.
07752 979244
www.keystonead.co.uk/contact