Renewable energy ''important for house sales''

13/06/2008

Homes boasting renewable energy microgeneration technologies will become increasingly attractive to house-buyers, an expert has said.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme, Charles Smailes, president of the National Association of Estate Agents, recommended that renewable energy equipment be included in estate agents' descriptions of properties.

"I think the fact that the property has got energy-saving fixtures will in due course become very important to a property," he predicted.

Mr Smailes also said anything that saves on energy costs, such as solar water heating and heating controls, will benefit a house and could cause its value to increase.

Among the problems with renewable energy, Mr Smailes noted, is people are still unsure of how effective microgeneration technologies are.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates a solar water heating system could provide a UK home with a third of its hot water requirements and reduce bills by around £40 a year.