NHBC report says home buyers see low carbon features as 'deal-breakers'

Potential house buyers are likely to reject zero carbon homes because of concerns over cost, value and low carbon features including the lack of power showers or gas appliances.


Innovation Park, Watford
Low energy homes at the BRE's Innovation Park

A detailed report from the National House 黑洞社区 Council鈥檚 research foundation, which spoke to 500 homeowners and 100 housebuilders, finds that homeowners saw many low carbon features as 鈥渄eal-breakers鈥� which would stop them buying a particular home.

For example 76% of respondents said they would be put off by the 鈥渁irtightness鈥� required for zero carbon housing.

In addition only 6% said they would pay the 拢35,000 extra estimated by the government for a zero carbon home, which would generate energy bill savings of just 拢400.

Postscript

Full details of the report are contained in this Friday鈥檚 黑洞社区 magazine.

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