Are you a starter going to view a home for the first time? Then you should pay attention to the possible energy costs! During a viewing, always ask for the monthly costs for gas, water and electricity. Although this will give you an idea of the costs, unfortunately this does not say everything.... After all, the resident may never turn on the stove, or use almost no electricity. The opposite is also possible, the resident always puts the stove on Sahara or does bitcoin mining, for example. Because of this, you don't know if your costs are going to be comparable to the previous occupant. Therefore, look beyond the monthly costs.
The energy label also gives a good indication of energy consumption. But even this doesn't always tell you anything; for example, have new measures been implemented after the energy label was determined? And was the label recorded this year or was it longer ago, when other criteria applied? Don't worry, we've got you covered! With these five tips, you'll walk through your home like an energy pro.
#1 Check the windows
Do they open and close easily? Do they have double or triple glazing? If so, this helps with insulation. Also pay attention to whether there are vents in the windows. This is important to get moisture out of the house and fresh air into the home.
#2 How is the house heated?
Via a central heating boiler? Then check that the boiler is efficient and not too old - a modern boiler can save you money in the long run. If the home has a heat pump, do always check the type, but it is usually better than a central heating boiler.
#3 Is there roof insulation or wall insulation?
You can recognize this by feeling at the walls. If they feel cold and damp, there is probably no insulation present. To go really far, you can look for gaps near the roof or find out if insulation is present through the butt joints in the house. Feel especially on the walls adjacent to the outside air, this is where you are most likely to lose heat.
#4 In single-family and ground-floor homes, floor insulation is incredibly important
This is harder to find out because you have to go into the crawl space to do so. Always ask the realtor if it is accessible, and do you really want to know? Then put on your dirty clothes and crawl down. Please note that homeup is not liable for any damage that may be caused by any spiders, mice and other dirty critters you may encounter.
#5 You can also pay attention to little things.
Do you feel drafts when you walk through the house? That could be an indication that the walls are not properly insulated, which means more heat is being lost. This may also be due to gaps at windows and doors. This is more common in older homes that still have old window frames.
Finally, if you have questions about energy use in a particular home, don't hesitate to ask the real estate agent. Or enlist us to join you as an expert! In any case, following these tips will give you an idea of potential energy consumption when viewing a home. Good luck and enjoy your search!
