Homeowners are paying more attention to energy labels

Two-thirds of Dutch homeowners expect the worth of owner-occupied homes to be more dependent on an energy label within five years, according to research conducted by mortgage advisor De Hypotheker.

After a long period in which the number of mortgage applications dropped due to the rise in mortgage interest, a change has been visible since the beginning of this year. In the first half of this year, the number of mortgage applications for rebuilding or sustaining a home went up by 13 percent.

Two-thirds of the homeowners said in the research that they have partly made their home more sustainable after buying it. One in eight even did that before the purchase. This means that 79 percent of homeowners live in a sustainable home.

The most important reason to make your house more sustainable is the amount of energy costs saved, followed at a distance by an increase in living comfort. Many homeowners opt for the installation of solar panels, double glazing, LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and floor, roof, and cavity wall insulation. Over eight in ten homeowners said that they are aware that they could raise the worth of their house by making it more sustainable.

In addition to a lower energy bill, an energy label plays a continuously bigger role. This is strengthened further now that the maximum amount you can borrow has become dependent on the energy label since January 1, 2024. The better the label, the higher the maximum mortgage.

According to the research, at least half of Dutch homeowners find financial incentives significant for sustainability. This also applies to how much they can rely on financial arrangements.