As an industry, construction has been notoriously slow to adopt new technology.
Construction skills and techniques have traditionally been passed from one generation to the next, with many labourers slow to adapt to innovations that require additional training to master, and naturally suspicious of anything that might ultimately make their roles redundant.
But whether we like it or not, construction has changed – and it needs to keep changing to adapt to a world under threat from climate change and economic instability.
In property development, green technology is something that has only taken off in the last decade or so; prior to that, it was the stuff of millionaires and television documentaries. As the technology has advanced, it has become more affordable and more mainstream – but the onus is still very much on self-builders to advocate for green technology in their homes.
Despite this, there’s a clear appetite for sustainable, energy-efficient properties. Research by a leading UK property services company recently revealed that almost 70% of buyers would favour an energy-efficient home over one without green technology installed – and as the global energy crisis deepens, this number is only set to rise.
This opens up opportunities for developers and contractors to take a leading role in driving the adoption of green technology – a move that could revolutionise the construction industry, reduce carbon emissions, and help many businesses to carve out a niche for themselves in the process.
So what are the benefits for developers of adopting green technology in their projects?
Properties are more valuable
Research shows that incorporating green technology into a new-build home could increase its value by as much as 7%. People are willing to pay more for a home that will cost them less in the long run, and as energy prices rise, this trend is expected to become more pronounced. This means that these properties are more likely to hold their value in the future, too.
Properties are more sellable
Building green homes give contractors and developers a unique USP they can use to increase the kerb appeal of their developments. As well as lower running costs, green technology offers people the opportunity to move away from conventional technology like gas and oil for a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. Buyers have the added assurance that their home is future-proofed against energy shortages or additional taxes on ‘dirty’ energy systems like oil-fired central heating.
Builds authority
Since the majority of contractors have been slow to embrace green technology – largely due to concern about additional project costs and timescales – there’s still plenty of space within the industry for forward-thinking businesses to carve out a niche in this area. Self-builders and developers alike often find themselves drowning in a sea of conflicting information and competing technology, and are searching for knowledgeable partners who can give them trustworthy advice about the best technology to suit their particular project. Word of mouth gets around, so contractors willing to be innovative can quickly build up a far-reaching reputation for their green expertise.
Freedom to innovate
Using green technology has the potential to open up business opportunities for developers and contractors by giving them the freedom to build in spaces with poor infrastructure. Ground source heat, for example, means there’s no need to worry about mains gas supply, making it an ideal solution for rural and remote properties as well as cramped city sites where infrastructure is already stretched.
Future-proofs your business
The UK Government has ambitious targets for the construction industry – and wider society – to achieve over the next decade in an effort to reach net zero carbon by 2050. It’s expected that industries and consumers across all sectors will be incentivised to engage with low-carbon technology over the coming years with things like grants and tax relief on green alternatives. Getting on board with green tech now means contractors will be well-placed to benefit from these schemes and win new business more easily as demand grows exponentially.
Incognito Heat is a supplier of innovative ground and air source heat pumps and underfloor heating technology, facilitating the construction of 21st-century homes that are more environmentally friendly, efficient and economical to heat.
We offer a wealth of expertise to help you understand the technology and its benefits, as well as help you to choose the system that best meets the needs of your property or development. Get in touch for a free consultation.
