Environmentally-friendly choices have never been more important. One of the most direct ways to make an impact with your decisions is by making some adjustments to your energy consumption habits.

Whether you travel more mindfully to use less fuel, take shorter showers, or unplug unused chargers or appliances, small adjustments to your everyday life can add up and make a difference.

However, to maximise your positive environmental impact, you could also rethink the energy systems you use and join the millions of homeowners who have opted to install renewable energy sources for their homes.

Not only do systems like solar panels and heat pumps allow you to reduce your carbon footprint, but they also have the potential to increase the value of your property. Keep reading to find out what renewables could mean for you!

What is renewable energy?

First of all, let’s clarify what renewable energy means. Renewables refer to systems that generate energy from naturally replenishable sources, such as the sun, the air, or geothermal energy.

Domestic renewable energy systems feature photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, air to air heat pumps, air to water heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps. These options have a lower environmental impact than traditional heating or electricity systems, which rely on burning fossil fuels to operate.

Why is renewable energy relevant?

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent concern, renewable energy is starting to look like the best option for minimising the environmental impact our homes inevitably have.

At the same time, as trends in the global market suggest, more and more emphasis is placed on sustainability. Based on these tendencies, it is highly likely that renewables will continue to be sought after in the future.

What this means for you is that by investing in renewable energy, you will be aligning your energy consumption habits with the growing global concern for the environment. What’s more, if you’re planning on possibly selling your house in the future, having solar panels or a heat pump might make your property more attractive to potential buyers for whom the environment is a priority.

The greener side of property value

Whether renewables increase your property value is relative to the kind of potential home buyers looking for a home in your area. If you know that most people on the housing market are looking for a property that can reduce their carbon footprint, then you can expect that they’ll be willing to spend more on a house that already has solar panels or a heat pump installed.

Even if the wellbeing of the planet is not a buyer’s first concern, renewable energy sources on the property may still be a great selling point for them. This is because, compared to conventional energy systems (like gas boilers or electricity sourced from the grid), solar panels and heat pumps are highly efficient. As a result, they require less fuel to operate, which means that homeowners that use renewable energy systems will spend less on their yearly energy bills.

What determines the value of your property with renewables?

There are a few factors that can determine just how much value renewable energy systems can add to your home. One such aspect is your location. Depending on where your home is based, the impact of renewables on property value can vary. For instance, if you live in an area where energy costs are high and where sustainability is a collective concern, the value of your property can increase significantly by installing renewable energy sources.

Additionally, the type of system you choose to install also has an impact on the value of your home. Solar panels, for example, are highly efficient and attractive to potential buyers because their benefits are broadly acknowledged.

Finally, market conditions are some of the clearest indicators of property value. Currently, renewable energy sources are viewed as advantageous on the market, and thus might make for an attractive selling point. However, you will need to be mindful of any fluctuations that occur. Even though renewable energy seems to continue to be relevant in the future, it’s good to keep an eye out for any changes.

Making the most of your investment

If you do decide that you want to increase the value of your home by installing renewable energy sources, you will want to make some strategic choices to fully benefit from your investment.

First and foremost, you will want to look into the best solar panels in the UK and the most highly-reviewed heat pumps. By choosing high-quality technologies, you can ensure that they will last for years to come.

At the same time, you can check whether you are eligible for a government grant or scheme for renewable energy. There are a few options available for solar panels or for the installation of a heat pump, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, or the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). This way, you can potentially lessen the financial burden of investing in renewable energy.

You should also work with a reputable professional for the installation process. Whether you’re opting for solar panels or heat pumps, the quality of the installation has a direct impact on how well your system will perform. So, obviously, this will affect your home’s value as well.

As you can see, there is a clear connection between renewables and increased property value. While they are a significant investment, in time, their financial benefits and reduced environmental impact can pay off. So, do you think installing renewable energy sources is something worth considering for your home?