Tips on prepping a home for winter, and how it impacts the value of your home.
As autumn leaves start to fall and the chill in the air becomes more pronounced, the time has come to think about preparing your home for winter. While preparing your home for winter may traditionally be associated with ensuring a cosy and comfortable living environment, there’s another layer worth exploring: its impact on your property’s value. We’re here to consider how effective winter preparation is a dual-purpose investment, enhancing both your comfort and the long-term value of your home.
Investing heavily based on future resale value is not without risk, as buyer preferences may evolve due to technology advancements or broader economic factors. Homeowners should therefore approach their winterisation projects with a balanced perspective, considering both the benefits and potential drawbacks. Proper research and professional discussions can guide more informed decisions.
The Financial Benefits of Getting Your Home Winter Ready
Preparing your home for winter offers more than just immediate seasonal benefits. It’s an integral part of responsible homeownership, which can positively impact your finances in several ways.
Energy Efficiency and Utility Savings
The ever increasing cost of energy is a concern for many UK homeowners. Proper winterisation can mitigate this by substantially reducing your heating bills. Simple actions like sealing air leaks and improving insulation can lead to immediate savings. According to the Energy Saving Trust, effectively insulating your home could save you up to £455 per year on heating costs alone [1]. These immediate reductions add up over time, and energy-efficient features are highly desirable to potential buyers.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
UK Winters, with its sometimes harsh weather conditions, can create a lot of wear and tear on a home. A frozen pipe bursting or an inefficient heating system failing during a cold snap can lead to steep repair costs. But effective winter preparation can head off many of these problems before they start, preserving the condition of your home and saving you money in long-term maintenance.
Resale Value
The UK housing market is increasingly leaning towards sustainability. Energy-efficient homes are not just a trend; they’re becoming the norm. Therefore, effective winter home preparation practices can make your property more appealing to prospective buyers, giving you an edge in the market and potentially raising your home’s resale value.
Recommended Winter Preparation Tasks
Wanting to get winter ready, but not sure where to start? Here’s our recommendations:
Insulation
Insulation is your first line of defence against the cold. The loft, walls, and floors are the primary areas to focus on. But don’t forget your pipes, as insulating them can prevent freezing and subsequent damage. While fibreglass insulation is standard, consider upgrading to more efficient materials like spray foam for a longer-lasting solution.
Heating System Maintenance
An efficient heating system is crucial for a comfortable winter. In the UK, most homes use boilers as the primary source of heat. Ensure a certified engineer services yours before the cold sets in. Also, consider “bleeding” your radiators to remove trapped air, making them more efficient.
Sealing Gaps and Cracks
Draft-proofing your home is another critical aspect of preparing your home for the Winter months. Examine all windows, doors, and electrical outlets for drafts, and seal them using silicone-based caulk or weatherstripping. You can even add door draught excluders for extra effectiveness.
Roof and Gutter Check
A minor leak in your roof can become a major problem during heavy winter rains or snowfall. Examine your roof for missing or damaged tiles, and replace them as needed. Also, clean your gutters and downpipes to ensure that they can effectively channel water away from your home.
Going the Extra Mile for Extra Efficiency
For those who wish to take winter preparations to the next level, here are some advanced tips:
Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat allows you to program your heating system to suit your daily schedule. Some even come with learning algorithms that adapt to your habits, offering an extra layer of convenience and efficiency.
Renewable Energy Options
Incorporating renewable energy solutions into your winter preparation strategy is not only good for the planet, but also for your wallet. Below are some financially advantageous renewable energy options tailored for the UK’s climate:
Solar Panels: Contrary to popular belief, solar panels don’t require blazing hot summers to be effective; they just need daylight. According to Solar Energy UK, solar panels could increase the value of a home by 0.9% to 2% [2].
While investing in solar panels can significantly cut your electricity bills, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), UK homeowners can also earn money by exporting surplus energy back to the grid. Active since January 2020, the SEG requires electricity suppliers with over 150,000 customers to offer an export tariff, while smaller suppliers can participate voluntarily. This incentive makes solar panels an even more lucrative green home improvement project. You can shop around for the most suitable export rates, typically between 1p and 7.5p per kWh. At the higher rate of 7.5p per kWh, a homeowner with a 3.5 kWp solar panel setup could earn around £112 per year, in addition to energy bill savings [3].
Ground-Source Heat Pumps: These pumps utilise the stable temperature of the ground to heat your home more efficiently than traditional heating systems. While the upfront cost can be steep, long-term energy bill savings can offset the initial investment.
Biomass Boilers: For those in rural areas, a biomass boiler can be an excellent alternative. These boilers use organic material like wood pellets as fuel, offering a renewable and more cost-effective heating solution.
By implementing any of these renewable energy options, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also increase the resale value of your home. Given the growing emphasis on sustainable living, a home equipped with renewable energy solutions is likely to attract higher market value.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Winterisation
The initial financial outlay can be substantial, especially when opting for advanced solutions like solar panels or ground-source heat pumps. While these investments may pay off in the long run, the break-even point might take years for some homeowners.
It’s advisable to conduct an analysis to understand the timeframe over which the benefits would outweigh the costs, and if possible, consult with a professional for a tailored strategy.
Additionally, older homes or those with structural issues might face complications when implementing certain winterisation tasks, possibly leading to further costs or inefficiencies. The task of upgrading insulation, sealing gaps, or installing advanced heating systems in such homes might unveil unexpected challenges, leading to increased costs. Moreover, certain homes may require additional structural reinforcements or repairs to accommodate the installation of renewable energy systems, further amplifying the initial investment required.
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Through a balanced approach and informed decisions, preparing your home for winter months can transform a seasonal task into a lucrative long-term investment, enhancing both comfort and property value as homeowners navigate towards financial security and environmentally sustainable living.
Start preparing this October before the first frost hits.
Status Mortgage Services is a trading style of Status Financial Services Limited which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 18/10/2023
This article is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute advice.
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SOURCE DATA:
[1] Energy Saving Trust – Reducing home heat loss – Roof and loft insulation
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/roof-and-loft-insulation/
[2] Solar Energy UK – The Value of Solar Property Report – The financial benefits of a solar-powered future
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://solarenergyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/The-Value-of-Solar-Property-report_SEUK.pdf
[3] Green Match – All Solar Panel Grants and Schemes in the UK 2023 – September 2023
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/solar-energy/solar-panels/solar-panel-grants
