The Industry Overseer

“I think society is becoming greener. However, the buyer's main interest is still location, followed by an emotional attachment to the house. EPCs are a very good idea conceptually, but economically it just doesn't work. For example, people are aware of rising energy costs, but lots of the eco-changes we consider making are not really cost-effective. Putting in double-glazing or insulation may cut energy bills, but it will take years to claim back the cost of installation.”

James Scott-Lee, of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveryors

The Green Campaigner

“As prices stagnate, people will be looking to stay put and improve, and hopefully such improvements will be green ones. The rise in energy prices will be an additional incentive to make changes. The Green Alliance is concentrating on improving energy efficiency in existing homes, as nearly three quarters of the housing stock we will have in 2050 has already been built. Homeowners can look to their energy suppliers for help with improvements: for example, your electricity supplier can help to subsidise cavity wall insulation. Government policies on new homes are making a difference but they are failing with existing stock. They are, however, planning to roll out handheld, time-display devices to measure energy use in the home, looking to prompt a behaviour change.”

Faye Scott, policy officer at Green Alliance

The Architect

“Our clients are insisting on using sustainable principles in the design of their home. This is probably due to a mixture of peer pressure and social conscience. They are wary of high installation costs of certain eco features, such as wind turbines and photovoltaics (a form of solar panels). But the more cost-effective measures, such as using local materials, rainwater collection and super-insulation, are popular.”

Tim Hall, managing director of Lewis & Hickey

The Estate Agent

“The cost of building eco-homes is more expensive and so considered a luxury. If the market does tighten up, it will make these houses harder to sell. In the market we are in - £800,000 and upwards - those interested in this type of property are usually looking for a site to build an eco-home rather than buy one. But buyers in general are not taking an interest in EPCs. As with anything new, the cost of an eco-home is prohibitive to most people.”

Toby Clayton, partner at Jackson-Stops and Staff, Exeter

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