Energy efficiency ranked the new ‘home essentials

Central heating and energy efficiency top the nation's list of top 20 ‘must-have' home features, according to new research from Gocompare.com Home Insurance. Today's house hunters are more likely to be sold on the idea of properties with an efficient central heating system (73%), double glazing (72%) and secure doors and windows (71%), than characterful features. Only nine per cent of those surveyed said that if they were looking to buy a house, they would consider period features to be essential. Energy efficiency was a key theme running through the survey - across all the regions. As well as an effective central heating system and double glazing, the top ten property essentials include a good energy efficiency rating (54%) and cavity wall insulation (48%).. - See more at: http://www.hpmmag.com/newsitem.asp?newsID=2434#sthash.API80xTM.dpuf