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Green awareness has grown significantly since EPC launch

A growing number of people have an eco-agenda according to Think Property findings, with 80 per cent urging the government to introduce incentives.

Research conducted by the property portal thinkproperty.com highlighted a need for 'green' provision after 70 per cent of homeowners revealed that they would modify their properties if the government gave bigger concessions, especially when it comes to council tax.

The desire for government-backed green schemes is also key, with over 80 per cent calling for a helping hand to fund environmentally-friendly changes such as roof insulation and solar panelling.

Currently 1.8 million non-domestic buildings and around 24 million domestic dwellings account for 47 per cent of the UK's CO2 emissions, meaning that the impact of such a scheme would be huge, especially as the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a fundamental part of a Home Information Pack (HIP).

Chief Executive of the-energy-portal, Stephen Callaghan said: "The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) has raised public awareness of energy efficiency and is now becoming recognised by home buyers and sellers as a way in which they can save significant amounts of money on their heating and lighting bills. What's even more interesting is that the EPC now means they can make changes to their boilers and insulation in the knowledge they are doing their bit to help save the planet."

Stamp duty concessions on zero carbon homes are a step in the right direction, however Think Property believes the government could go further, whilst advisers and agents should focus on the green agenda.

Head of group marketing, Suzanne Deakins said: "With budgets generally tight for home movers with rising energy prices, any evidence of lower energy bills or lower stamp duty could make a real difference to the sale of a property - something worth considering not only for estate agents when trying to sell a property, but also for home owners looking to sell their home."

February 2008