When you consider making your home more sustainable, the question quickly arises: how does a home battery actually affect my energy label? An energy label provides insight into the energy efficiency of a house and plays an increasingly significant role in sales, rentals, and financing. Although solar panels already directly contribute to label improvement, the role of a home battery is becoming increasingly important. With a home battery, you not only increase your own energy usage but also optimize the efficiency of your home. This not only has a positive effect on your sustainability score but can also increase the value of your home. In this blog, we explain how a home battery weighs into the energy label, what benefits it offers, and what you should consider if you're thinking about taking this step.

Does a home battery contribute to a better energy label?

A home battery is (still) not directly included separately in the standard calculation for the energy label, unlike solar panels. However, a home battery indirectly plays an important role. The reason: a higher degree of self-consumption of solar energy reduces your net energy consumption. Since the energy label is determined based on energy demand and efficiency, lower consumption can positively influence your label. Especially in sales, demonstrating smart energy management systems, including a home battery, can contribute to a more attractive sustainability profile of your home. This is increasingly being considered by appraisers and buyers in their assessments.

How does a home battery improve your home's sustainability score?

The sustainability score of a home looks not only at insulation and installations but also at the extent to which you generate and consume energy sustainably. A home battery helps with this in several ways:

• Maximizing the use of your own solar energy: Less reliance on fossil grid electricity.

• More efficient energy consumption: Cleverly managing peaks and troughs in power usage.

• Lower energy costs: Demonstrable savings make a home more appealing.

Although the official energy label methodology is currently still under development to better evaluate battery storage, the sustainable nature of homes with a home battery is increasingly recognized in property valuations and mortgage benefits.

What is the impact of a home battery on property value?

Sustainable homes are more popular than ever. A home battery can be an additional advantage for potential buyers or tenants. Homes with low energy costs, good self-sufficiency, and future-proof solutions like a home battery:

• Sell faster than average.

• Often have a higher market value.

• Enjoy additional financing benefits, such as sustainable mortgages.

Research shows that each step of improvement in the energy label (for example, from label C to label B) can result in a value increase of several percent. Investing in a home battery not only contributes to immediate savings but also strengthens the value and marketability of your home.

What should you consider when including a home battery in your energy label?

Although a home battery is not automatically included in the standard energy label, you can still leverage the documentation and explanation:

• Have the installation professionally done: Certificates and seals of approval provide extra proof.

• Document your savings: Show how much of your own power you actually use.

• Smartly connect your battery to solar panels: A complete solar power solution counts more strongly.

Ask the energy advisor who prepares your energy label how you can best include your home battery. More and more advisors are considering additional sustainable measures in their reports.

Why invest in a home battery for label improvement?

While the effect on the energy label is not yet automatically registered 1-to-1, the relevance of a home battery is rapidly increasing. Due to the energy transition and new legislation around home sales (like label requirements for new construction financing), smart energy systems are becoming increasingly important. With a home battery, you not only technically improve your home but also make it more attractive to the market. You reduce your monthly costs, increase your self-sufficiency, and are prepared for future requirements and benefits.

Frequently asked questions about home batteries and energy labels

Is a home battery included in the energy label calculation?
Not yet standard, but its effect on consumption does count.

Does a home battery increase the value of my home?
Yes, especially in combination with solar panels and lower energy costs.

Can I officially include my home battery in the label?
You can have the energy savings included in the explanation.

Is a home battery required for a better energy label?
No, but it does indirectly help with a more sustainable profile.

What does a better energy label yield upon sale?
On average, several percent more in home value.

Does a home battery affect mortgage benefits?
Sometimes, especially with sustainable mortgages.

Should I report the installation to my energy advisor?
Yes, so they can correctly account for the impact on consumption.

Are there subsidies for improving my energy label with a home battery?
Currently, there are mainly local schemes and financing options.