ENERGY-efficient homes may sell faster and for a higher price than those that waste resources, says a new report.

The year-long study was based on the records of thousands of property sales through the Glasgow Solicitors Property Centre, analysing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) from over 10,000 properties.

The study stops short of saying that making a home more energy efficient will directly increase its value.

But it does show an initial link between energy efficiency and house prices - an estimated 0.1 per cent increase in selling price has been identified for every one per cent fall in energy use.

Average total household energy costs were found to be £884 a year, and average energy cost per metre squared is just over £16.

The project's seed funding was provided by Scotland's 2020 Climate Group and developed by the group's Built Environment sub-group.

John Sheridan, co-chair of the sub-group, said: "We are delighted to have established, as a proof of concept, that the information contained in an EPC can be systematically analysed in relation to property values.

"We are keen to share the outputs from this study with as wide an audience as possible in order to give us all a greater insight into potential consumer awareness and help guide future actions around climate change."

EPCs are now a requirement, and form part of a Home Report for every residential dwelling that comes on the market in Scotland. It includes information about a property's energy use and typical energy costs as well as recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.