We’re pleased to share that Julie, our Founder and Financial Adviser, and Dan, our Mortgage and Protection Adviser, have both completed the Certificate in Financing Greener Homes, a professional qualification from the Green Finance Institute, accredited by the LIBF (part of Walbrook Institute London).

It means that when you come to us for a mortgage, we can now give you specialist advice on the energy efficiency of your home and the green finance options available to you. It’s an area that is changing quickly, and we wanted to make sure our clients have advisers who understand it properly.

Why greener homes matter for your mortgage

With energy bills still a concern for many households, more buyers are asking questions that go beyond the asking price. How much will this home cost to heat? Is there help available for energy upgrades? Will a lender offer a better deal on a more efficient property?

Lenders are responding. In 2019 there were just four green mortgage products on the market. Today there are over 90, and the number continues to grow. With so many options appearing, it’s easy to miss a deal that could save you money, which is where specialist advice can help.

What is a green mortgage?

A green mortgage rewards you for buying or owning an energy efficient home, or for making improvements to one. Depending on the lender, that could mean a lower interest rate, cashback, or the option to borrow extra to pay for upgrades such as insulation, a heat pump or solar panels.

Eligibility usually depends on your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. Some lenders offer incentives for homes rated A or B, while others focus on helping you improve a less efficient property. The details vary from lender to lender, so it’s worth looking at the full picture rather than the headline rate alone.

Understanding your EPC rating

Every home that is sold or rented in the UK needs an EPC. It rates the property from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and gives an estimate of running costs, along with recommendations for improvements.

If you’re buying, it’s worth checking the EPC early on. A more efficient home could mean lower energy bills and access to better mortgage deals. A less efficient home isn’t necessarily a bad buy, but it helps to know what improvements might be needed and how they could be funded.

Thinking about improving your home?

If you already own your home, there may be ways to fund energy improvements through your mortgage. Some lenders offer additional borrowing specifically for green upgrades, sometimes at a preferential rate. There are also grants and government schemes that may help with the cost, depending on your circumstances.

Making improvements could lower your bills, make your home more comfortable and potentially increase its appeal when you come to sell.

What the qualification covers

The course gives advisers a thorough understanding of greener home finance, including:

• green mortgage products and how they compare
• the energy improvements that make the biggest difference to a home
• other ways to fund upgrades, including grants and other schemes
• the rules and advice considerations around greener home finance

What this means for you

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving, or remortgaging, Julie and Dan can now look at whether a green mortgage could save you money, and talk you through the options if you’re thinking about making your home more efficient.

Even if a green deal isn’t the right fit, understanding your home’s energy efficiency can help you plan ahead and make better informed decisions. As always, our aim is to find the mortgage that suits you best, and this is one more way we can do that.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Green mortgage products, eligibility criteria and incentives vary between lenders and may change. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

If you’d like to find out whether a green mortgage could work for you, get in touch to book a free consultation with Julie or Dan.