Will retrofitting increase the value of my home?

If you’re thinking about upgrading your home, chances are you’re not just thinking about today, you’re thinking about how it will hold up in the years ahead. 

A well-retrofitted home is typically warmer, drier, cheaper to run, healthier to live in, and better aligned with where the housing market is heading. These are all qualities buyers increasingly expect, not “nice-to-haves”. 

So it’s natural to ask: 

Does retrofitting actually add value to my home? 

There’s no single yes or no answer. But research gives us some clear signals about where the market is heading, and what tends to pay off. 

Are buyers paying attention to energy efficiency? 

Very much so. 

Surveys consistently show that buyers are willing to pay more for homes that are cheaper to run and feel comfortable year-round. In one large study in 2022, people said they would pay around 10% more for a low-carbon home. 

That reflects what many homeowners already feel: with higher energy prices and more awareness of climate and comfort, how a home performs now matters far more than it used to. 

Does an energy-efficient home sell for more? 

In many cases, yes — especially at the extremes. 

Homes that perform very poorly in terms of efficiency tend to be discounted. Buyers see them as costly, uncomfortable, and risky. 

At the other end, homes that perform well - and clearly do - are often seen as a safer, future-ready investment. 

Research looking at thousands of UK home sales shows: 

• Homes that are very inefficient (EPC F or G) tend to sell for noticeably less (nearly £8,000 less on an average Plymouth home).
• Homes that are highly efficient (EPC A or B) tend to sell for more (roughly £4,000 more).
• Modest improvements in the middle (EPC C to E) don’t always show up clearly in the sale price, but they still matter for comfort and running costs. 

In other words: buyers notice the difference between “problem home” and “well-prepared home”. 

What about visible upgrades like solar panels? 

This is where things get interesting. 

Solar panels are easy for buyers to understand. They signal: 

• lower energy bills
• future-proofing
• smart investment 

Studies suggest that homes with solar panels often sell for several percent more than similar homes without them. Even cautious estimates suggest that solar can roughly pay for itself through property value alone, before you count years of lower bills. 

Solar tends to add value in both: 

• more affordable homes (where savings really matter)
• higher-value homes (where sustainability features carry status and appeal) 

So is retrofit “worth it”? 

Taken together, the evidence suggests: 

• Retrofitting can increase your home’s value, but it’s rarely a quick flip
• The biggest financial wins often come from avoiding future penalties and making your home more attractive, not chasing a single upgrade
• When you factor in lower bills, better comfort, and resilience, the return looks much stronger
• Visible, future-ready upgrades (like solar) tend to perform best
• Homes that move out of very poor performance, or into top performance, see the strongest effects 

For many homeowners, retrofit isn’t about squeezing every pound out of resale. It’s about protecting value, improving day-to-day life, and avoiding being left behind. 

Why planning matters 

Not all upgrades are equal — and not all are right for every home. 

Poorly planned work can create hassle, unexpected costs, or even reduce appeal. Well planned upgrades, done in the right order, tend to support both comfort and long-term value. 

That’s why good advice matters — especially if you’re investing thoughtfully rather than reacting to problems. 

If you want a clearer view of which upgrades make sense for your home, and how they fit into a bigger picture of comfort, cost, and future value, we can help. 

Explore our Future Fit retrofit services - from a free home visit to a detailed Future Home Survey - and take the next step with confidence, not guesswork.