People 'could use homeowner loans to fund environmental upgrades'
Published On 26 July 2007
People are increasingly using things like homeowner loans to fund environmental improvements to their current property - rather than looking to buy a new place - an industry expert has suggested.Andrew Leech, consultant to the National Home Improvement Council, explained that many people came to the end of their current mortgage deal and used a newly available offer to free up cash for ecological home improvements.
In addition, consumers increasingly saw extensions funded by homeowner loans as a sensible investment which could add value to a property.
While people often saw these investments as a way to improve the value of their home, Mr Leech stressed that homeowners should always think about the environmental credentials of new work.
He said: "If you're putting a conservatory-type extension on your home, you've really got to comply with the planning regulation.
"You've got to have double doors between the conservatory and the home to save loss of heat.
"But some of the really top-line conservatories will have really good double-glazing, sometimes triple-glazing, to beat the problem of heat-loss through the glass."
Recently, Steve Lees, head of marketing at SmartNewHomes, said that a new conservatory was an excellent investment of a homeowner loan.
He explained: "In terms of [building] extensions or conservatories to have extra space rather than move to a bigger home … it will add a level of value to the house."
