Almost 9 in 10 Brits regard energy efficiency as the most important factor when making home improvements, according to new research by Schneider Electric.
With the average Brit spending £1,458 on home improvements in three years, homeowners are now expected to invest on becoming eco-friendly. The survey of 2,000 UK consumers conducted in October, highlighting a shifting mindset post-COVID.
Energy efficiency topped the list of common priorities, it was followed by more traditional factors, comfort (87%) and design (75%). Investing in sustainability, such as installing solar panels, is a priority to over-two thirds (65%).
Features such as investing in increasing the size of a home or entertainment systems were regarded as less important (49% and 41% respectively), showing whilst budgets are tight, large home improvements are not a priority.
Striving towards a net zero home.
According to the Climate Change Commission (CCC), the UK will not meet its zero carbon goals without eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from Britain’s 29 million homes. By 2050, electricity use in homes is set to more than double. The research highlights the awareness of climate change and the phenomenon of energy efficiency.
Half of Brits say that it’s important to them that their home reach net zero emissions. The majority of adults say that they wish to reach this goal. Net zero homes are vital in solving the climate change challenges and homeowners need to adopt sustainability to address this. By generating as much renewable electricity as they use, people will be able to tackle this.
“Despite most consumers owning a piece of technology, it isn’t revolutionising the way we save energy. Consumers will struggle to enact change if their homes don’t become more connected,” says Nico van de Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric. “By creating connected energy efficiency solutions acting like a ‘Fitbit for your home’ we enable visibility over habits that consumers will easily understand and adjust their energy usage to meet goals, mapping progress in achievable steps. As our homes become intelligent, a foundation for net zero homes emerges.”
Only 29% of consumers agree that this is likely within their lifetime. Many believe that it’s the government’s responsibility, introducing clearer policies for change. Governments and technology companies need to provide solutions to consumers to ensure change becomes a reality. Schneider Electric is doing just that.
Nico van de Merwe, VP of Home and Distribution at Schneider Electric, continues: “There is an increase of people wanting to make energy efficient improvements to their homes. Individuals must continue to adopt sustainable features to make their home efficient, with help from government along the way.”