Visibly sustainable homes selling for higher prices

Homes in the Netherlands with visible energy-saving upgrades are commanding higher prices on the housing market.

According to data from the Kadaster, houses with an energy label A sold for an average of nearly 4,700 euros more in the third quarter of 2025 than less efficient homes. Properties with label D or lower fetched about 500 euros less.

According to NRC, the researchers said the effect is strongest when energy-saving measures are clearly visible to potential buyers, such as solar panels on the roof, which can increase the sale price by around 4 percent.

“Visible sustainability does not tell the whole story,” researchers noted in Trouw. “A house can earn a better energy label with solar panels while insulation remains mediocre. Even within the same label, there can be significant differences. It might be a good idea for potential buyers to see the actual energy consumption.”