5 ways new build homes in London are going green

So, you’re picking up three pieces of plastic every time you visit the beach and you’re making the barista fill your reusable coffee cup. But what if you could take bigger strides towards being greener? Step forward new build homes in London.

By purchasing one of the capital’s new housing developments, you’re cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, becoming more sustainable and using less energy just by making a smart property purchase.

Already house builders have to abide by The Code for Sustainable Homes - a national standard for sustainable design and construction, with minimum expectations for energy and water use - but advances are being made all the time. If you need any more convincing, read the top five ways new homes in London are leading the way in energy efficiency:-

1. Winning the renewable energy race

No one is embracing renewable energy like UK house builders and many new developments in London now incorporate solar panels, grey water recycling and geothermal heating. Not only does this tap into infinite energy sources - which is great for the environment - but renewable energy almost always results in lower utility bills too.

Buy new, buy green

2. Heating your home for less

As soon as you move in to a new build home, you can save money by using a thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves, a programmable timer and wireless smart technology. The Energy Saving Trust has calculated annual savings of £150 if you make use of the above, and an added annual saving of £75 for every degree you turn your thermostat down.

Heating hacks? Ask us

3. An industry dedicated to reducing emissions

Those buying new homes for sale in London are buying into an industry committed to cutting carbon emissions. The UK’s house builders are legally bound to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and to prepare for the target, the Energy Saving Trust is encouraging more homes to be built ‘2050 ready’ now - with enhanced energy efficiency and water saving credentials.

Browse these future-proof homes

4. Make your let legal

If you’re an investor looking at properties to add to your portfolio, be mindful that any new buy-to-let must now have an EPC rating of E or above, and by 2020, all buy-to-let properties should be rated A to E (F and G rated homes will be illegal to let). Energy Performance Certificate data shows that 84.4% of new builds have the top A or B EPC rating, making them perfectly legal to let from day one.

Ask about EPCs & lettings law

5. Hold tight for airtight

The future of house building could involve more new homes in London meeting the ‘Passivhaus’ standard - which uses extreme levels of insulation, a mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery and ‘airtightness’ to reduce heating bills to almost zero.

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