Energy class has become one of the first questions buyers ask, right alongside size and location. Properties with strong energy ratings are selling faster and holding their asking price better than comparable older buildings — and the gap is widening.
Energy costs are shaping buyer priorities
With electricity and heating costs still a real household expense, buyers increasingly treat a property’s energy class as a running cost, not just a certificate. A poorly insulated older apartment can cost noticeably more to heat through a Pelion winter than a newer, better-insulated one nearby.
Renovation grant programs are pushing upgrades
National energy-efficiency renovation programs have made it more affordable for owners to upgrade insulation, windows, and heating systems, and properties that have already had this work done are increasingly marketed as a selling point rather than a footnote.
New builds default to higher energy classes
Newer construction in and around Volos is now routinely built to A or B energy class as standard, which is gradually resetting buyer expectations for what a “normal” home should offer, even in the resale market.
What this means for sellers of older properties
Sellers of older buildings aren’t locked out of this trend — even partial upgrades, like new windows or added insulation, can meaningfully improve a property’s marketability and justify a stronger asking price.
Buyers no longer see energy class as a nice-to-have line on a certificate. They see it as next winter’s heating bill.
Key takeaways
- Strong energy ratings are correlating with faster sales and firmer asking prices.
- National renovation grants have made insulation and window upgrades more accessible.
- New construction in the Volos area now defaults to higher energy classes.
- Partial energy upgrades on older properties can still move the needle at resale.
