Hidden Value Guide
Hidden Value Guide
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Contents
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everything you need to know about Home Information Packs
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HIP to it!
home information packs explained
free, impartial advice from your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre
Mover
For free, impartial advice about saving energy in your home and reducing fuel bills, call free on
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Intro
Rightmove is pleased to support the Energy Saving Trust to bring you this guide looking into the Energy Performance Certificate, which clearly demonstrates just how energy efficient your property really is. Energy efficiency is high on the agenda for home movers, with many demanding a potential new home contains features such as high efficiency condensing boilers and loft and cavity wall insulation.
Indeed from the 10 September 2007, Home Information Packs will be required to be commissioned on all 3 bed-roomed properties marketed. With this in mind, those thinking of putting their homes on the market might want to read this guide; the first step to adding value to Miles Shipside Rightmove Commercial Director your home starts here!
SHIP
getting your house in order makes selling so much simpler
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Selling a home can be stressful and prone to delays and failure under the current system. Around one in four property transactions break down before contracts are exchanged, often due to information coming to light after a formal offer has been made. The Governments new Home Information Packs, compulsory
for anyone marketing a home for sale in England and Wales is being phased in. It will allow this essential information to be made available up front reducing this costly inefficiency and making selling simpler. This guide will help you if you are planning to sell your home, buying or moving into a property you have just bought.
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Of the compulsory elements in the pack, the Energy Performance Certificate is especially significant. We explain why on the following pages. Theres more information about the packs on page 11.
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What the Energy Performance Certificate tells the seller - and the buyer
The compulsory new certificate that will speed up buying and selling
Energy Performance Certificates are energy ratings from A to G for homes, similar to those which already exist on consumer products like fridges, dishwashers, tumble-dryers and lighting. The Certificate not only outlines the costs of heating, hot water and lighting in homes, but also gives advice on how to cut these costs and reduce climate-changing emissions.
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Small measures that make a big difference
Two thirds of homes dont have enough loft insulation does yours? Lofts account for over 25% of the heat loss in an uninsulated home. Without enough insulation you could be adding as much as a third to your heating bill. Topping up loft insulation gives savings in fuel bills of around 50 to 60 per year. Savings are even greater if there is no insulation to start with. s to Most homes have some loft Call u ere are h es insulation but less than ut if t find o ted schem n a u the recommended disco r local are you n i 10.5 inches (270mm).
Professional installation is relatively quick and inexpensive for costs in your area call the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre free on:
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Top Tips
Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree when you are too warm could cut your heating bill by up to 10% and save you around 40 per year. Always turn the lights off when you leave a room. Dont leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily. Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the element if you are using an electric kettle). Use energy saving light bulbs. They last up to 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs and could save you up to 100 over the lifetime of the bulb. If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme. A dripping hot water tap in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath -so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
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savings
0800 512 012
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Heating controls
By upgrading heating controls you will improve the efficiency of any central heating system and cut your energy wastage and costs by up to 17%. Fit the right heating controls as well as a condensing boiler and you could bump the savings up to 40%.
Helping hand
Energy Saving Trust advice centres offer free, expert, impartial advice. Funded by government, your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre helps people in your community to save energy and boost their homes energy performance rating.
Web: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk Call free on:
the entire process, make it more transparent and reduce the risk of transactions breaking down. Your overall costs for the transaction could end up being lower than the traditional process.
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appliances.
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A Inspection will be
carried out by assessors who are fully trained and qualified to Government recognised national standards. Many assessors are also qualified to produce a an optional document in the pack.
For free, impartial advice about saving energy in your home and reducing fuel bills, call free on
Information on the most energy efficient appliances and heating systems. Advice on Energy Saving Recommended
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Energy Saving Trust, 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP, Tel 0800 512 012, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk EE107 Energy Saving Trust August 2007 E&OE.