Favorable energy label pays off

During the vacation season, we often talked about the sharply rising energy and fuel prices. Well, we haven’t had to heat up in recent months, but many an air conditioner will have been working overtime. In any case, for the coming winter it will pay to work on the energy efficiency of our homes. Because the share of energy costs in the total housing costs will only continue to increase. So reason enough to look at (quickly) implementable measures to make your home more sustainable. You can find them for example on www.verbeterjehuis.nl

There is a second reason to work on an energy-efficient home, especially if you plan to sell soon or within a few years. Because people who want to buy a home are also looking more and more closely at the energy costs they can expect. The energy label indicates how energy-efficient your home is on a scale of A++++ (dark green, very economical) to G (red, very inefficient). View all information about the label at www.energielabel.nl/woningen

Several recent studies have shown that a favorable energy label leads to a higher sales price. The more sustainable the house, the higher the house value. A home with label C sells for an average of 7.9% more than a comparable home with label G. And if a label changes from B to A, it yields an average price increase of 3.3%, according to research by data analyst Matrixian. The research also shows regional differences. The greatest effects are achieved in rural areas; in the cities the increase in value is more limited. But also between the cities the differences are large. And making a home more sustainable has more effect in Eindhoven than in The Hague. From label B to label A in Eindhoven provides a positive effect on the market value of 4.4%, while in The Hague this is limited to 0.7%.

In a broader housing market (i.e. with a growing supply) – to which we are perhaps gradually returning – the added value of a sustainable home is still somewhat greater than in a tighter market. Either way, it pays to work on making your home more energy efficient. Of course – especially with larger investments – it is wise to look at the payback period when saving on your energy costs. But also include the expected increase in the value of your home in your considerations.