Homeowners are prioritising major energy-efficiency projects such as heat pumps and solar panels, despite many lower-cost improvements offering faster returns on investment, according to new research from Uswitch, a comparison website for home services switching.
The research, based on a survey of 500 UK tradespeople, compared the energy-saving measures most commonly requested by homeowners with those most frequently recommended by installers and contractors.
Heat pumps were the most requested upgrade, cited by 32% of tradespeople, followed by solar panels at 28%. However, both technologies typically involve significant upfront costs and longer payback periods.
According to the research, concerns over installation costs remain one of the biggest barriers to home energy improvements, with 66% of homeowners identifying cost as a key issue.
Solar panel installations can cost around £9,000, with average annual energy bill savings of approximately £973, although savings vary depending on household energy use, property type, location, and export tariff arrangements.
Tradespeople highlight overlooked efficiency measures
The survey found that several lower-cost energy-saving measures receive comparatively little attention from homeowners.
Draught-proofing was the least requested upgrade, cited by just 5% of tradespeople, despite potential annual savings of between £85 and £95. Smart heating controls were requested by only 14% of homeowners, although installation costs are typically significantly lower than larger retrofit projects.
Insulation was identified as one of the most overlooked improvements. Nearly a quarter (24%) of tradespeople said insulation is the most commonly overlooked energy-efficiency measure, while 23% specifically highlighted loft and wall insulation.
Although a quarter of homeowners request insulation upgrades, demand remains lower than for technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels.
The research also found a gap between demand for double and triple glazing and professional recommendations. While 25% of homeowners request glazing upgrades, only 16% of tradespeople recommend them as a priority energy-saving measure.
Many homeowners do not follow professional advice
The survey suggests that homeowners do not always act on recommendations provided by tradespeople.
Only 28% of tradespeople said homeowners always follow their energy-saving advice. A further 72% said recommendations are followed often or sometimes, while 5% reported that their advice is rarely or never implemented.
Ben Gallizzi, Energy Comparison Expert at Uswitch, says homeowners should consider a phased approach to improving energy efficiency.
He suggests, “Improving your home’s energy efficiency doesn’t have to involve a huge budget or disruptive work that affects your home life.
“Start small with quick fixes that help keep your home more comfortable and cheaper to heat, such as draught-proofing, plugging gaps in floorboards, and investing in thermal curtains and blinds.”
Gallizzi also highlighted the importance of understanding payback periods and seeking professional advice before investing in larger projects.
He continues, “Energy savings can vary greatly depending on your property type, location, and existing setup, so it’s important to factor all of this in when investing in updates to your home.
“Seek advice from a trusted installer or energy expert to help identify which improvements will have the biggest impact based on your individual circumstances.”
