Habito supporting their customers in energy efficiency
In 2023, Habito, an award winning digital mortgage broker, partnered with Propflo, an AI-powered proptech platform, to to address a significant challenge in the housing market: enabling homeowners to improve their property’s energy efficiency. The collaboration introduced GreenVal, the first end-to-end platform in a mortgage intermediary that simplifies retrofitting and empowers homeowners to take practical steps towards sustainability.
Habito CEO Ying Tan with Propflo founders Daniel and Luke
Meeting homeowner needs
Many homeowners aren’t aware of the benefits of improving energy efficiency and often feel uncertain about where to begin or how to prioritise upgrades. Propflo’s platform helps businesses like Habito tackle this uncertainty by delivering targeted insights and solutions, making it easier for homeowners to act.
Habito has long been committed to leveraging technology and expertise to support homeowners in making informed decisions. With the integration of GreenVal, this commitment extended into promoting energy-efficient living, aligning financial savings with environmental benefits.
The GreenVal tool
GreenVal: Simplifying the retrofit journey
At the heart of the partnership lies GreenVal, a purpose-built tool offering homeowners actionable insights and solutions:
- Comprehensive analysis: Detailed cost-benefit cases for retrofitting.
- Wellbeing rating: Evaluations of thermal comfort, air quality, and the impact on financial health.
- Personalised recommendations: Tailored suggestions, such as solar PV panels,, batteries or heat pumps.
- DIY options: Affordable improvements like Smart Thermostatic Radiator Valves (Smart TRVs).
- Supplier integration: Direct quotes from national, accredited suppliers.
Initially available exclusively to Habito customers, GreenVal provided a clear pathway for homeowners to assess their current energy (EPC) ratings, and identify opportunities for improvement, along with reminders about potential benefits, discounts and a direct link to GreenVal.
The business case for Habito was clear – differentiate themselves to customers with added value services, growing revenues with referral commission from improvement suppliers of up to £1,000 per property, whilst contributing to being a more sustainable company.
Data-driven insights for targeted engagement
Using Propflo’s PortfolioAudit tool, Habito was able to segment its customer base using information on energy performance and property characteristics. Communication campaigns tailored to these segments achieved remarkable engagement rates:
Campaign open rates
- For homeowners with a mortgage due for renewal in the next 12 months, the cohort saw an open rate as high as 68 per cent.
- Customers identified as needing solar PV recommendations showed consistent engagement, with open rates between 51% and 63%.
- Outreach emails to landlords also performed well, with engagement of up to 55%.
- A follow-up campaign sent seven months before mortgage renewal achieved an impressive 70% open rate, highlighting strong interest in retrofit opportunities.
Communication has predominantly been through email, with growing outreach via WhatsApp and direct mail.
Future plans
The green mortgage space has seen significant growth, with many lenders introducing incentives that encourage energy-efficient living. Some continue to offer cashback for purchasing properties with an EPC rating of A or B. Others go further, providing enhanced cashback or reduced interest rates when a property’s energy efficiency is upgraded within a specified timeframe after purchase.
These products not only reward homeowners for sustainable choices but also align financial savings with environmental benefits, making them a compelling option for both buyers and existing homeowners looking to retrofit. Habito’s commitment is to make these opportunities clear and accessible, helping customers unlock the dual benefits of lower energy costs and more favourable mortgage terms.
Building on the success of the GreenVal launch, the next phase focuses on enhancing accessibility, education, and visibility for green mortgage options, alongside tools to support homeowners in their retrofitting journey. These initiatives include:
- Integration on Habito’s website: GreenVal will be available for all, enabling homeowners to evaluate the energy efficiency of any property and explore potential upgrades and costs.
- Enhanced education: Accompanying the tool will be articles on green mortgages and the benefits of retrofitting, designed to guide users through sustainable choices.
- Green mortgage visibility: Many lenders offer ‘green mortgages’, which incentivise customers to buy or retrofit energy-efficient homes. Habito want to surface this to customers to help show them they will not only increase their energy bills and increase comfort but can also reduce their mortgage costs and/or get cashback. A key part is to surface green mortgage deals Habito’s mortgage calculator and comparison tools.
- Completion dashboard upgrades: Customers will be able to access energy efficiency reports anytime, alongside tools for managing their mortgages and coordinating retrofitting plans.
- Regular updates: Habito’s monthly newsletter will spotlight lender-specific green mortgage deals and share insights into sustainable housing trends.
The need for collective climate action has never been clearer. By partnering with Propflo, Habito is making tangible strides in addressing one of the most critical global challenges of our time. Together, we’re empowering homeowners to make impactful changes, promoting sustainability, and driving innovation in the property and mortgage sectors. This collaboration demonstrates how aligned efforts can contribute to a greener, more energy-efficient future.
Create additional revenue by supporting energy efficiency
About Habito
Habito will get you the best mortgage possible. Fast, transparent and impartial – we’ll take care of it. Using a unique combination of cutting edge technology and industry-leading mortgage experts, homebuyers can, for the first time, be sure they are getting the best deal for them.
Our experts will search the whole market – that’s more than 20,000 mortgages from 90 lenders – to get you the fastest, easiest mortgage or remortgage ever. We can also handle all your buying admin – your property survey, legal work, mortgage, everything. Buying a home should be a high point in your life, not a stressful one.
About Propflo
Propflo is an award winning data-driven AI platform that supports lenders and property businesses to comply with energy efficiency regulations, meet their climate targets, and then support their customers in their wider ownership journey.
Propflo was founded by proptech entrepreneur Luke Loveridge and geospatial and risk data scientist Dr Daniel Moyo. It also has world leading AI expert Mike Tipping as an advisor.
www.linkedin.com/company/propflo
Contacts:
Felix Schraff
comms@propflo.co.uk
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