The built environment has a significant impact on the natural environment. Therefore, it’s no surprise that we continue to see improvements to the sustainability of construction practices from developers keen to limit their environmental impact. However, even the maintenance and factoring of properties has some environmental impact. So what can you do to make your factored development more sustainable?
We have outlined some tips for homeowners and developers on the types of commitments, improvements and environmentally-conscious services they can make use of to improve the overall sustainability of their properties.
Our property factoring experts are available to discuss how we can improve the sustainable management of your property. Contact us today.
Get to grips with your property’s EPC
The UK has some of the oldest and least insulated housing stock in Europe. Government Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data estimates that only one in three owner-occupied homes achieve the most efficient A-C ratings, with even less tenant-occupied homes likely to achieve high energy efficiency ratings.
EPCs expire after 10 years, so having an up-to-date EPC from an Energy Efficiency Surveyor will give you important information on your property’s current performance as well as recommendations for improvement.
To better understand your property or building’s Energy Performance Certificate, you can use the government-endorsed Simple Energy Advice site.
Energy-efficient buildings reduce property management costs and attract the conscious tenants that we love to work with.
While not every property can achieve the highest energy performance ratings, it is still worth looking for areas where changes can be made. There are many other ways to improve the sustainability of your factored property.
Make energy efficiency improvements
The UK government estimates that more than half of homes listed in EPC bands D-G can achieve high energy efficiency by making improvements to the property and have offered energy efficiency improvement grants to help homeowners with the costs of these changes.
Poor insulation and inefficient heating systems are behind much of the poor energy efficiency in the UK, as heat is lost through the fabric of the building itself. That’s why we factor energy efficiency into each of our developments from the start and actively promote projects that are good for the planet.
Here are 8 of the most commonly suggested improvements where property owners can increase energy efficiency and save money on fuel bills.
- Add wall insulation
- Add Floor insulation
- Add Roof and loft insulation
- Upgrade to Secondary, Double or Triple Glazing
- Improve Boiler and Water Tank Insulation
- Install Draught Proofing
- Install Energy Efficient Lighting
- Upgrade to Low-Carbon Heating
Note that professional energy efficiency advice will vary depending on the property. Our Senior Associate, David Jones, is a qualified Energy Efficiency Surveyor and can provide advice to private residential properties on how to strengthen their sustainability.
Support garden wildlife
Factoring agencies often provide groundskeeping and gardening services as part of any property maintenance. However, freshly cut lawns or concrete slabs do not positively contribute to supporting local habitats and biodiversity for native wildlife.
It is well known that many garden birds are in decline, alongside other wildlife, due to a loss of habitat. Professional gardeners can help create an outdoor space that supports local nature like birdlife by planting and maintaining the right plants, bushes and trees all while presenting the property appropriately.
You don’t have to turn your garden into an overgrown nature reserve to do more with your garden and outdoor space, and even small changes can help.
Upgrading to electric infrastructure
As electric vehicles become increasingly popular in the effort to cut our carbon footprint and air pollution, more and more at-home charging points will be required. Installing and maintaining EV charging points at your development could make it more attractive to the environmentally-conscious renter and helps bring about the change in infrastructure needed to ditch the petrol pump for good.
Our factoring teams spend a lot of time on the road between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, so we’ve taken the decision to upgrade our entire fleet of vans and cars to lower emission hybrid vehicles which will contribute to lowering our own carbon footprint and the footprint of our clients.
Promote recycling to reduce waste
Recycling is a key tool in the fight against waste and pollution, which is why all Taylor & Martin offices are equipped with recycling facilities for employees and visitors.
We also take steps to support the use of recycling facilities at developers’ sites in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic, metal and paper going to landfills.
Pick the right ‘green’ energy supplier to match your environmental ambitions
Switching to a zero-carbon energy supplier could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and households are keen to make the change. However, not all green energy suppliers are the same with some misleading green energy tariffs confusing well-intentioned consumers.
Industry trade body Energy UK says all renewable tariffs help to transform the grid for a low-carbon future, even if they use carbon offsetting rather than directly generating renewable energy.
In this case, suppliers will buy energy from renewable sources to cover your household usage which helps to fund future renewable production, or they may pay into a scheme to offset carbon emissions produced from the energy you use, such as planting trees.
In short, there are different options available depending on your circumstances and how committed you are to reducing carbon emissions.
We really like this helpful green energy guide produced by The Money Saving Expert which explains the green energy options available to households in detail so you can understand what your tariff means and how you can make changes to more sustainable options.
You’ll be pleased to know that by 2022, we are aiming for every development managed by us to use a green energy supplier.
If you’re ready to improve the sustainability of your development get in touch today to discuss green factoring solutions with Taylor and Martin. You can also follow us for more news, expert opinion, and advice on Facebook and LinkedIn.