A new real estate scenario is taking shape in Spain, where energy efficiency and respect for the environment are gaining more and more importance in neighboring communities as well as in single-family homes. Tenants are looking for formulas to try to offset the price of electricity and gas and more and more are interested in solar panels as an option to lower the electricity bill, but they are not the only ones. Among the advantages that Spaniards are increasingly highlighting is discovering how a green home can increase its value in half of this emerging market.
Sources such as the Official State Gazette (BOE) and multiple laws of the European Union have established the bases for the expansion of this market. Now more than ever, there is an increase in energy efficient and environmentally friendly homes.
Why is energy efficiency important?
Energy efficiency is not just about reducing energy consumption and lowering your carbon footprint. It is also an increasingly important factor in the valuation of real estate. As awareness of climate change increases, buyers are looking for homes that reflect their sustainability values.
According to Royal Decree 235/2013, published in the BOE, energy certification is mandatory for all homes for sale or rent. This certification rates them on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), and has become a determining factor in the decision to buy or rent properties for many Spaniards.
How can you increase the energy efficiency of my home?
The energy efficiency of a home can be improved through a number of strategies. Among the most common are the improvement of thermal insulation, the installation of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, the use of low-consumption appliances and the incorporation of renewable energy systems, such as solar panels.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge offers grants and subsidies to improve the energy efficiency of homes, through the PREE program (Building Energy Rehabilitation Program).
How is energy efficiency reflected in the value of my home?
Energy efficiency translates into direct savings on electricity and gas bills. But beyond that savings, it can also increase the value of the property. According to a study by the Ministry of Public Works, homes with an A or B energy rating can be worth up to 10% more in the real estate market.
In addition, buyers and tenants increasingly value energy efficiency as an indicator of the quality and modernity of the home, and are willing to pay a higher price for it.
Energy efficiency is an investment that not only contributes to sustainability and care for the environment, but can also increase the value of your property in the real estate market. It is time to consider how we can make our homes greener, for our own benefit and that of the planet.
