5 eco-friendly homes for Earth Day

It’s Earth Day today, a day that’s marked annually to put a spotlight on the environmental changes needed to protect our planet.

Right now, it’s estimated that around a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions come from our homes. But ‘greener’ homes with high energy-efficiency ratings emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. They also cost less to run and have lower energy bills.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘A’ is the highest score a home can be given. Less than 1% of the homes available for sale on Rightmove with an EPC rating included are rated ‘A’. The majority (57%) of homes for sale are still below a C rating.

But there has been a steady increase in the number of estate agents mentioning a property’s EPC rating when listing a home if it’s a ‘C’ or above. This has more than doubled (+104%) compared to five years ago.

Our property expert, Tim Bannister, says: “Despite growing awareness of the importance of going greener in all areas of society, it’s important to continue to raise the profile of the benefits of more eco-friendly homes and their green features with movers. Whilst there are positive signs in some areas of the property market, there is more to be done to both spread education and incentivise movers to make greener choices when it comes to their home.”

If you’re think about making green improvements to your home and are looking to learn more about the potential costs and savings, you can read more about retrofitting your home here. Or, take a closer look at these impressive eco-friendly homes for sale.

And take a look at these showstopping eco-friendly homes we’ve rounded up to mark Earth Day 2024, which all have the highest energy rating of ‘A’.

1. A cosy eco-friendly cottage in West Sussex

A four-bed cottage in a beautiful rural setting, this home’s hot water and electricity is entirely generates by the 6.6kWp solar panels that are mounted on the roof. There’s also a smart system for heating and lighting control, to maximise energy efficiency.

2. A converted Dutch barn in Carlisle

This showstopping home in the Cumbrian countryside comes with triple glazing, latest-generation solar panels and an EV charger. There is also an expansive shrub-lined garden, with lots of space for outdoor entertaining.

3. A 7-bedroom home with a pool

This jaw-dropping West Sussex homes has reached its highest potential EPC score of 109 points: you can read more about EPC scores and what that means for a home’s rating in our Guide to Energy Performance Certificates. The 7×16 meter pool is heated by a solar-panel-powered heat pump, while any excess energy generated is stored in one of the home’s two batteries.

4. A Passivhaus-style home in Suffolk

Built to energy-saving design and building principles, this four-bed home is found in a tranquil part of Suffolk. The design was inspired by the Passivhaus ultra-low energy building guidelines, incorporating triple-glazed aluminium and wood windows, while solar panels generate electricity to power the air source heat pumps used for hot water and underfloor heating.

5. A zero-carbon home on the edge of the Cotswolds

A brand new development from Newland Homes, these A-rated homes don’t require carbon to run, and have a low environmental impact as a result. They also have EV chargers, and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor.

Newland Homes’ Marcus Evans, says: “Earth Day is a poignant reminder of our responsibility to safeguard the planet for future generations. Our zero carbon homes appeal to people who wish to live in a modern, purposeful home with a lighter carbon footprint. Homeowners don’t want to depend on fossil fuels, and they are increasingly seeking homes which make a difference, without compromising on comfort.”

READ MORE: What’s the average energy bill and how can I save money?