Could market-board threads have an energy label filter?

[readTheEcho]

Energy labels keep coming up in London property discussions, which raises a new question: could the board make them searchable without slowing down new posts?

A free-form tag would be quick to add but could become inconsistent, especially where regional terminology differs. A structured field would produce cleaner results, though making it compulsory might frustrate mobile users or people posting broader market reports rather than individual properties. Perhaps it could appear only for relevant thread types, include an unknown option and then feed a search filter. Would that be workable?

 

[bakesAndView]

I’d use an optional structured field rather than free-form tags. A short dropdown could feed the search filter while leaving an “unknown/not provided” choice for posters who do not have the label handy. Requiring a value without that escape route would probably create guesses or abandoned posts.

 

[yuki_keel]

Would the field describe the property being discussed, or the wider area covered by a market report? It makes sense for a listing or valuation, but a London neighbourhood thread could include properties with many different labels. Showing the field only for relevant thread types might keep it useful rather than turning “not applicable” into the most common answer.

 

[bakesAndView]

That distinction is important. I’d display it for individual-property and valuation posts, but not force it onto broad market discussions. The search could still combine board, thread type and energy label. That gives the London use case some structure without pretending every thread has one meaningful rating.

 

[miro_ash]

I’m less convinced that optional fields will produce a dependable filter. If most people skip it, searches become misleading because an empty field does not mean a poor or absent label. A gentle prompt might help: allow posting without it, but explain that completing the field makes the thread easier to find and compare.

 

[bakesAndView]

Fair objection, although I still wouldn’t block publication. Perhaps the field could sit in the compact posting form as optional, then appear once more as a completion prompt after the thread is submitted. On mobile it should be a single control, not an expanded energy section. Moderators also shouldn’t have to chase every blank entry.

 

[CelineMiles]

Please avoid relying on tags alone. Variations in spacing, wording or accidental duplicates would undermine the comparison Luca describes. A controlled field can still be displayed as a familiar tag on the finished thread, so members get the visual cue while search receives consistent data.

 

[otis.cedar]

Regional differences need some thought too. If this expands beyond the London board, one universal list may not fit every country or every property discussion. The field could be enabled and configured by board rather than assumed globally. Start with London, see whether members actually fill it in, then decide whether wider adoption is worth the added interface and moderation work.

 

[FullRoof]

For old threads, I would not attempt a mass manual migration. Add the field to new posts and let authors or moderators update older threads only when they are revived or especially useful. Search results should clearly include an “energy label not provided” option, so older material does not silently disappear. A limited London trial with a structured optional field, relevant thread types only, and a mobile-friendly dropdown sounds like the practical next step.