Which smart upgrades add value to your home?

Thinking about upgrading your home but wondering what really adds value?  

Research shows nearly half of people want to invest in home improvements that add long-term property value, and it’s things like better insulation, solar panels, and smart meters can make a difference of up to 14%.

We reveal smart home upgrades that could add over £40,000* to the average UK home. 

Roof and loft insulation:

Did you know you lose 25% of your heat through the roof of an uninsulated home?

One in five (21%) of those surveyed wanted to improve their home insulation, which can cut your energy bills by £230 and save 650kg/CO₂ a year, that's the equivalent of driving 2,340 miles.

Plus, there's a grant available to help you get started:

• ECO4 (for low-income households)

It’s not just your pocket that would benefit from a well-insulated home; there are many benefits for you and your family:

1. Well-insulated homes are much better for your health
2. Damp housing can cause mould and mildew
3. Future proof your home! With new technology coming – be ready for anything!
4. Wasting less energy to heat your home, means your carbon emissions will drop 

Cavity wall insulation

By adding cavity wall insulation, you can cut your energy bills by £240 and save 650kg/CO2 a year – that’s the equivalent of driving 2,340 miles.

Solar panels

Coming in at number one for the most desired home upgrade, 44% of people want solar panels installed in their home, if they don’t have them already now, and 62% say they’re essential when buying their next home.  

What are the benefits? You can cut your energy bills by as much as £650 by having solar panels installed. And you could save about one tonne of carbon per year; that's the equivalent of driving 3,600 miles.  

Solar battery

Solar panels harness the power of the sun to give you free electricity during the day – a solar battery lets you use that energy when the sun goes down. You'll save around 14p for every unit of electricity you use at night from your battery.

Power up and save all year round with solar

Smart meters

Did you know UK households with a smart meter are saving 3% on electricity and 2.2% on gas each year?

With complete control you can see how much you're spending on the penny. Your smart meter, along with you Energy Hub account, can help you make smart choices and save on your bills. Plus, it takes automatic readings saving you the hassle every month.

The savings will only grow, as more people take advantage of specialist smart meter tariffs for electric cars, solar panels and heat pumps. Find out more about smart meters.

Air source heat pump

A heat pump is essentially an outside boiler. It captures heat from outside and moves it into your home, using electricity to do so. The average UK home could save £260 a year on energy bills by replacing an old boiler with an air source heat pump.  

Find out more about air source heat pumps and check if you’re eligible for a government grant.  

Electric car

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more accessible and cost-effective. Energy costs are up to 75% lower, maintenance costs are up to 40% lower, and carbon emissions are 3x lower than the equivalent petrol car over its lifetime. Find out more about EVs.

EV home charger

25% of households already have an EV charger installed or are planning to get one.  Charging an electric car at a public charger costs up to 1.5 times more than charging at home. Learn more about how to make EV home charging work for you.

The path to a more efficient home can be made easier with the right guidance, which includes access to government grants that help make these changes more affordable. Making these upgrades can not only save you money on energy but can also improve your home’s energy performance certificate (EPC) rating, which can in turn unlock better mortgage deals. It’s a clear path to a more valuable and more sustainable home.

Not Sure Where to Start?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can help you identify the best improvements for your home. It covers:

• Insulation
• Heating and ventilation
• Windows, doors, and lighting

* Based on Purplebricks sales data of property sold prices of homes with EPC A/B uplift. A higher EPC comes from using less energy to power and heat homes, this could include but is not limited to solar panels, heat pumps, smart meters, renewable energy systems, insulation.