By Sarah Macklin 
The impact that our collective choices are having on this planet are becoming more apparent. We can see it in both biodiversity loss and extreme weather, and it’s important that we find a way to live on this planet while also protecting it.
The time has come to build our homes differently. By increasing insulation, changing how we heat houses and introducing renewable energy sources, homes could be more efficient than ever.
Government regulations, as well as new sustainability standards within individual companies, mean housebuilders are innovating quickly, with new builds leading the charge. They are fundamentally changing the way people live, both from an environmental and an economic point of view.
If you’re currently in the market to buy a home, you may want to consider a new build. We, along with St. Modwen Homes, look at five reasons why – and how much people are saving.
1. Better Energy Efficiency
When you sell a home, you are required to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This shows how efficient a home is, and ratings range from A (very efficient) to G (not very efficient). A study by Which? showed that 76% of existing homes have ratings of either C or D, while just 2% are rated B. In comparison, 81% of new builds have a B rating, with just 7% achieving C or D.
New builds generally have newer heating systems that are made to be more efficient (and heating/insulation are one of the biggest things an EPC takes into account).
If we break the results down into pounds, owners of new builds could save up to £20 a year on lighting, £37 a year on hot water and up to £455 a year on heating.
In terms of emissions, existing homes produce an average of about 4.36 tonnes of CO2 per year. For new builds, it’s 1.51 tonnes.
2. Less Air Leakage
Old homes can lose a lot of air through cavities in brick work, window frames and draughts under doors. The more air that escapes, the more energy you need to keep things warm or cool. These days there are strict regulations around how airtight a home should be.
A more airtight home doesn’t just help your bills. It’s better for air quality, improves sound insulation and means structural damage due to mould is far less likely. To measure how airtight a home is you measure the air pressure. Government regulations stipulate this should be 10m3/(h.m2) but many new builds go way beyond this.
3. Ready For The Future
A world where we are powering our lives using natural resources is fast approaching – and many new builds are designed with a totally new way of living in mind.
New builds often utilise modern technology and you can pay for additional upgrades, such as home EV charging points, PV panels, air source or ground source heat pumps and waste water heat recovery systems.
Using the sun to power your home has obvious environmental benefits and it makes a lot of economic sense too. In an average home, PV (photovoltaic) panels can potentially save you between £100 and £200 per year depending on how many panels you have and how much energy you use.
4. More Height and Light
There is a perception that new builds can be boxy and dark. However, many homes have higher ceilings and larger windows. It’s a relatively simple step forward in terms of design but there are so many benefits.
Aesthetically, this makes a home extremely eye-catching, while more daylight is proven to boost people’s mental wellbeing. As for energy savings, this makes total sense too. More natural light means less artificial light which is good news for your electricity bills.
5. Fully Integrated Connectivity
The internet is connecting our homes together in incredible ways. Up until a few years ago, we mainly used it for our TVs, laptops and smartphones. But the proliferation of smart technology has changed everything.
Over one in four adults in the UK owns a smart speaker, while more and more people are using smart lighting and smart plugs. The demand for smart thermostats has also skyrocketed.
Being able to control your heating, lights and appliances has cost-saving, as well as environmental benefits. But for a ‘smart home’ to work, it needs fast, reliable broadband. Many new builds are in areas that have full fibre broadband. An extra quick WiFi connection means you can control your home from your phone.
