The value effects of green retrofits. Issue 3 (24th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brounen, Dirk; Groh, Alexander Michael; Haran, Martin
• Is Part Of: Journal of European real estate research. Volume 13:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 301
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2020-09-24
• Subjects: Energy performance certificates -- Green premia -- Multivariate regressions -- Munich house prices -- Energy efficiency -- Retrofits -- Value effect; Real property -- Economic aspects -- Europe -- Periodicals; Commercial real estate -- Europe -- Periodicals; Housing -- Finance -- Periodicals; Housing -- Europe -- Periodicals; 333.5068
• DOI: 10.1108/JERER-12-2019-0049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1753-9269

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: This paper aims to decompose the value effects of green retrofits on commercial real estate. The paper disentangles various sources of value capture mechanisms that can be attained through green retrofit actions and profiles the extent to which green retrofit solutions can be effectively capitalised using transaction evidence from the Munich housing market. The insights offered can help real estate owners and investors during their ex ante analysis of future energetic retrofit investments. Design/methodology/approach: The authors offer their reader both a conceptual framework and the results from an empirical analysis to identify the value effects of retrofits and the associating gains in energy efficiency. The conceptual framework theorises the different value components that a deep retrofit has to offer. The regression analysis includes a multivariate analysis of 8, 928 dwellings in the Munich residential real estate market. Findings: This study's framework disentangles the total retrofit value effect into three components: the capitalisation of energy savings, the exposure to the value discount because of stricter standards and the value uplift because of indirect benefits (health, employee satisfaction, marketing etc.). The regression results indicate that the value gains because of energy efficiency improvements are in the range of 2.4–7.4%, while the indirect benefits and reduced exposure to stricter standards amount to another 3%. Originality/value: While numerous studies have investigated the upside value effects of energy efficiency in the real estate sector, there is scant academic research which has sought to evidence the value of green retrofit solutions and the extent to which this can be capitalised. Instrumentalising the various value effects of energetic retrofit that have been identified is not straightforward. At the same time, inadequate value capture of energetic retrofit effects could delay intervention timelines or aborting of proposed retrofit actions which should be of primary concern to policymakers and stakeholders tasked with the decarbonisation of real estate assets.