10 million UK homeowners experience barriers to carrying out energy efficiency measures on their homes

The majority of homeowners (57%) have reported the following barriers from carrying out energy efficiency improvements, according to the latest research by HomeOwners Alliance.  More than one third (36%) of homeowners have not undertaken work because of the cost of improvements, one in five (19%) say the lack of grants/ incentives is a barrier and a similar proportion are not convinced the up-front cost will pay for itself in energy savings (18%). 

Some homeowners say a lack of trusted tradespeople (11%), a lack of skilled trades (8%) and previous insulation scandals (6%) have also stopped them from carrying out energy efficiencies.

While most homeowners (81%) have undertaken some energy efficiency measures in the home they are usually the simpler and less expensive ones. The main ones being energy efficient lighting (53%) and loft/ roof insulation (51%). Less common are installing heating controls (27%), draught-proofing (26%), installing solar panels (9%) or switching to a heat pump (4%).

Younger homeowners (age 18-34) are more likely to undertake more substantial improvements such as installing solar panels or heat pumps. The proportion of homeowners age 18-34 versus homeowners overall to have installed solar panels is (13% vs 9%) and heat pumps is (11% vs 4%).

Paula Higgins, Chief Executive, Homeowners Alliance, says: “Our survey shows that homeowners think energy efficiency measures are too expensive and that there is not enough help. Not only can most households not afford to invest in energy efficiency but they’re also worried they won’t make a return on their investment.  And they are right. More environmentally friendly air source heat pumps cost in the region of a staggering £14k to install. Last year, the Prime Minister increased the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £7.5k so homeowners could replace their gas boiler with a heat pump for around £6.5k. But it’s still a huge financial outlay when you compare that to the cost of a new gas boiler from just £2k.  If government is serious about meeting its 2050 net-zero target by banning the sale of new gas boilers by 2035, more long- term incentives such as tax breaks and government grants will be required as many are already struggling with higher mortgage costs and the wider cost of living crisis.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders adds:“The HomeOwners Alliance’s research highlights the cost of energy efficiency improvements as a major barrier but so too is finding a reputable tradesperson.  Given an additional 225,000

construction workers will be needed over the next four years the Government should be thinking about who’s going to carry out the work and more importantly to what standard. The retrofitting of 29 million homes is a golden opportunity to license building companies to give homeowners the confidence they need to retrofit their homes.”

HomeOwners Alliance publishes a suite of resources to help those struggling with their energy costs as well as considering energy efficiency improvements.

·         A summary of all energy grant schemes, from those that help pay your energy bills to grants for energy efficiency improvements to your home. 

·         Our Energy Bills Help guide explains what help you can get now if you’re struggling to pay your bills.

·         Our Top 10 tips for saving energy highlights affordable ways to cut your energy usage.

·         And our guide to How to make your home more energy efficient, sets out the options of the energy efficient measures you can invest in to reduce how much energy your home needs to stay warm.

Full Research Findings and Charts

Chart 1: Energy efficiency measures undertaken by homeowners (see image above)

Most homeowners (81%) have undertaken some energy efficiency measures in the home with the main ones being energy efficient lighting (53%) and loft/ roof insulation (51%).

Chart 2: Barriers to undertaking energy efficiency improvements (see image above)

The majority of homeowners (57%) have experienced obstacles which have prevented them from undertaking energy efficiency improvements, because of cost (36%), lack of grants/incentives (19%) and they are not convinced the up-front cost will pay for itself in energy savings (18%).  A lack of trusted tradespeople (11%), skilled trades (8%) and previous insulation scandals (6%) were also cited as barriers.

Chart 3: Energy efficiency measures undertaken by homeowners (By age group) (see image above)

Homeowners 55+ more likely to have made energy efficiency improvements to their home. Younger homeowners are more likely to have made modern improvements.

·         Homeowners age 55 or older are most likely to have taken measures to improve the energy efficiency of their home (87% vs 81% of homeowners overall). 

·         The 55+ age group is more likely than younger homeowners to have undertaken a range of measures including: energy efficient lighting (64% vs 53%), insulating loft/ roof (65% vs 51%), changing windows to double glazing (61% vs 45%), upgrading their gas boiler (50% vs 41%), insulating walls or floors (35% vs 30%), installing heating controls (31% vs 27%).

·         Younger homeowners, age 18-34 are less likely to have made energy efficient improvements overall (74% vs 81% overall).  They are less likely to have made these improvements; energy efficient lighting (38% vs 53%), insulating their loft or roof (30%), changing to double glazed windows (23%) or upgrading their gas boiler (26%).

·         However, younger homeowners (age 18-34) are more likely to have undertaken modern changes such as installing heating controls (28% vs 27%), solar panels (13% vs 9%) and heat pumps (11% vs 4%).