A recent survey by Drayton Controls and Schneider Electric found that home improvements to increase energy efficiency are the most popular among UK homeowners.
The survey found that home improvements that could result in energy savings were top of the list for 89% of homeowners. This ranked above other measures such as improving comfort and convenience (82%), making the property more sustainable (64%), installing home security (60%), design and aesthetic improvements (62%), and increasing the size of the property (36%).
This comes on the back of the energy crisis, with the average annual bill costing about £750 more compared to 2020-21, according to Ofgem. As such, energy efficiency has become more important to more homeowners than ever before. However, following the axing of winter fuel payments last year, the survey found that those aged 55 and over (52%) were most concerned about energy efficiency, whereas less than half of those aged 35-54 (46%) or 18-34 (43%) felt it was important.
When it comes to the smart home tech that homeowners believe will contribute to improving energy efficiency, smart thermostats were the top choice (54%), outranking smart lighting (48%), smart EV charging (30%) and smart sensors (28%).
This presents a prime opportunity for installers to identify new work, as 54% of homeowners who invested in a smart thermostat relied on a professional to install it. And when it comes to spending, 27% of homeowners in the UK are prepared to spend up to £1,000 on home improvements that would increase energy efficiency, and 12% would spend between £1,000-£5,000.
Merlin Milner, Product Owner for Water-based Systems at Drayton, comments, “This survey highlights a clear trend – homeowners are prioritising energy efficiency more than ever, creating a significant opportunity for installers. With over half of those investing in smart thermostats relying on professional installation, there’s never been a better time for heating engineers and electricians to have a solution they are well versed in that can help customers reduce energy costs.
“This includes systems like Wiser, which can help save up to 30% on energy bills thanks to features like multi-zoning and smart modes. Plus, installers can get familiar with Wiser via our online training course, available on Drayton Rewards+.”
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