Supporting Energy Efficiency

Tell us a bit about Hodge Bank and your role.

I’m James Enos, National Account Manager at Hodge Bank. I’ve been with Hodge for about five years, but I’ve been in the financial industry for over 25 years—hence the grey hair!

Hodge is a unique lender with a strong history of innovation. We’ve been around since 1965 and were the first to bring equity release products to the UK market. Over the years, we’ve continued to focus on specialist areas like older borrowers and affordability solutions for complex income needs. More recently, we’ve been exploring how we can play a role in improving energy efficiency in homes across the UK.

Why is energy efficiency a priority?

Energy efficiency is incredibly important—not just for Hodge, but for the industry as a whole. It’s a key area where support is needed at every level, from government to lenders, brokers, and customers.

At Hodge, we’re committed to educating the market about the importance of energy efficiency. It’s not just about helping homeowners reduce their energy bills; it’s also about reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that the housing stock is cleaner and more sustainable for future generations. Personally, as a father of three, this really resonates with me. I want the next generation to inherit homes that are more energy-efficient and comfortable to live in.

What role does Hodge play in supporting energy efficiency?

We’ve developed a flexible approach to lending that allows homeowners to access financing for energy-efficient upgrades. For example, we allow additional borrowing of up to 85% of a property’s value for improvements like new boilers, insulation, or even solar panels. These upgrades not only reduce carbon emissions but also help homeowners lower their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable.

We’re also focused on helping homeowners understand what steps to take. Many customers aren’t aware of the costs and benefits of retrofitting their homes. That’s where Propflo’s GreenVal tool comes in—it’s an invaluable tool that gives homeowners clear, actionable insights into their property’s energy efficiency and how they can improve it. Whether it’s a big project or small, staged upgrades, we aim to support customers every step of the way.

Brokers are another key part of the puzzle for us. Since we’re 100% broker-led, we invest heavily in educating brokers on how to guide their clients through energy efficiency improvements. It’s all about building awareness and empowering people to take action.

How does Propflo’s partnership with Hodge help homeowners?

Working with Propflo has been fantastic. Your GreenVal tool makes the process so much easier for homeowners. From the very start of the journey, during the decision-in-principle (DIP) stage, customers can request a green valuation to understand where their property stands and what steps they can take to improve it.

It’s great to see how seamlessly Propflo’s tools integrate with our processes. For homeowners, this partnership provides a clear, guided pathway to making energy-efficient upgrades. It’s especially relevant now, as energy efficiency is becoming a more significant factor in purchasing and remortgaging decisions.

The UK’s housing stock is currently lagging behind Europe in terms of carbon efficiency, and we know we can’t solve this problem in silos. That’s why partnerships like ours with Propflo are so important. By working together, we can help homeowners and the industry move toward greener, more sustainable housing.

If you’d like to explore how Hodge Bank and Propflo can help you make your home greener and more energy-efficient, get in touch at contact@propflo.co.uk to start your journey today.