Energy-saving measures can boost your home's value, study says

The study from the Department of Energy and Climate Change says prices rise by 14% on average after improvements have been made. (See our Green Deal Mythbuster for tips on paying for the work.)

Homes which are built, rented or sold need Energy Performance Certificates, which range from band A — the most efficient — down to band G.

The average English home which moves from band G to E, or from band D to B, could see more than £16,000 added the sale price of the property.

In the north-east of England, moving from band G to E could increase its value by over £25,000, although differences were less pronounced in the south.

The report looked at over 300,000 property sales between 1995 and 2011.

The Government's Green Deal scheme helps households pay for some of the cost of making energy-saving improvements, with repayments spread out over time and paid back through electricity bills.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker says: "We have long known the benefits of making energy-saving improvements to the home, but this study is real evidence of the huge potential rewards.

"Not only can energy-efficient improvements help protect you against rising energy prices, but they can also add real value to your property."