What really makes an eco home? Take a look at some of Bournemouth's most environmentally friendly properties for sale. 

Following the launch of the Government’s £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme property site Zoopla has revealed some of the top eco-friendly properties currently for sale in Bournemouth.

These Bournemouth homes boast a wide range of cutting-edge energy saving features, including passive heating systems, mechanical heat recovery, triple glazed windows, solar panels, energy performance certificates of 80+ and all enjoy energy efficiency ratings of A or B.

With climate change a growing concern for many, demand for eco-homes has been building over the last five years, with searches for eco-homes and gardens rising steadily since 2015.

Julian Hewlett, Sales Director at Lovett International, an estate agency in Bournemouth, said: “Bournemouth has long been home to some of the country’s most beautiful properties, and over the last few years we’ve seen many stunning eco-homes join their ranks in and around the town.

"We’ve noticed a huge jump in demand from buyers for more energy efficient homes in recent years, and we expect that trend to continue as homeowners become more environmentally and cost conscious.”

Going green

The eco-properties available in Bournemouth feature some world-leading, eco-friendly technologies, and for homeowners who want to be more green in their current property, a new Government initiative will support their efforts.

Under the Government’s new Green Homes Grant initiative, homeowners in the town will be entitled to claim up to two-thirds of the bill for certain types of work done to improve their property’s energy efficiency, up to a maximum spend of £5,000.

The scheme will also see the Government foot the bill for low-income households, up to a maximum spend of £10,000. 

Recent Zoopla data shows that 200,000 homes in England alone have an EPC rating of G, the lowest score on the energy efficiency scale. This shows the need for homeowners to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Here are some of Bournemouth’s best eco-friendly listings:

Four bed town house

Trafalgar Mews, 1 Nelson Road, Bournemouth BH4

£500,000

Bournemouth Echo:

Trafalgar Mews is located in a private and gated community close to Alum Chine. 

The property boasts a category B energy efficiency rating of 84 with the potential to increase that to a category A.

Built in 2013 the property offers a high spec finish and versatile living accommodation ideal for families aiming to make a smaller footprint on the planet.

There are four-bedrooms, three bathrooms and one reception room as well as a terrace and private garden. 

For more information visit Zoopla.

Four bed town house 

Danecourt Road, Parkstone, Poole BH14

£635,000

Bournemouth Echo:

With an energy efficiency rating of 87 and a jaw-dropping potential of 95, this contemporary home is ideal for a modern family. 

There are four bedrooms, two reception rooms and two bathrooms offering flexible living space. 

The property falls within the catchment for Baden Powell and St Peters C of E School.

For more information visit Zoopla. 

Saving pennies…and the planet

Zoopla has created some top tips for Bournemouth homeowners who want to take advantage of the Grant to reduce the carbon footprint of their property. The tips also include habitual changes that, whether homeowners apply for the Grant or not, will help reduce energy bills.

The budget-friendly tips include ensuring your home is properly insulated, switching off electronics when not in use and installing natural energy like solar panels to reduce reliance on mains electricity.

Zoopla’s top tips:

  • Installing proper insulation ensures that precious heat isn’t lost through gaps in cavity walls and floors. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a gas-fuelled, detached property could save an estimated £435 a year after investing in internal or external insulation. Local builders can recommend the best insulation options for your property, and you may even be eligible for other energy-saving grants.
  • As lighting accounts for up to 15% of energy usage in the home, making the switch from traditional light bulbs to Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) can significantly reduce energy output whilst offering varying degrees of brightness and colour to suit all homes.
  • Relying on fossil fuels as a main heat source is both costly and a strain on the environment. If you have the budget, it is worth considering switching your heat supply to solar panels, geothermal heating methods, or even upgrading to a new biomass boiler for boilers over 15 years old.
  • Reduced flow shower heads have a reduced flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute, about half that of a conventional option. Switching to one could save you over 4,500 gallons of water a year, if you have one five-minute shower a day.

Little switches matter

We don’t all have the means to make big switches to make our properties more eco-friendly, but Zoopla stresses that little, everyday choices can still go a long way to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Remember to:

  • Switch off the lights in rooms you aren’t using
  • Disable stand-by mode for frequently used technology and switch appliances off at the plug when not in use
  • Be conscious of water usage – consider timing your showers and only fill your kettle with as much water as you need
  • Shop around for a cheaper energy supplier – there are savings to be had if you do your research
  • Apply for energy-saving grants in your area

Tom Parker, consumer spokesman at Zoopla, added: “As we become more environmentally conscious, The Green Homes Energy Grant is a great way to lessen our impact on the planet by improving the energy efficiency of our homes, while saving money on energy bills.

“The good news is there is a host of options that homeowners and landlords can implement that are eligible for a grant - from improved insulation to secondary or double glazing, through to biomass boilers and air source heat pumps."

For more tips and tricks to make your home more energy efficient, visit Zoopla.