According to the HomeOwners Alliance, 36 per cent of homeowners had not gone through with energy efficiency work due to the cost of improvements, and 19 per cent said that a lack of grants or incentives were a hurdle.
A report from Generation Rent last year found that half of renters were put off from applying for grants to improve energy efficiency due to fear of rent rises and evictions.
Approximately 18 per cent said that they were not convinced that the upfront cost would pay for itself in energy savings.
Around 11 per cent said that there was a lack of trusted tradespeople, eight per cent pointed to a lack of skilled trades, and previous insulation scandals were cited at six per cent.
The vast majority of homeowners – 81 per cent – had undertaken some energy efficiency measures in the home, but they tended to be “simpler and less expensive”.
Over half had installed energy-efficient lighting and loft or roof insulation.
Over a quarter installed heating controls and draught-proofing, with nine per cent installing solar panels and four per cent switching to a heat pump.
Energy efficiency implementation needs ‘long-term incentives’
Paula Higgins, chief executive of HomeOwners Alliance, said: “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 £14,000 to install. Last year, the Prime Minister increased the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £7,500 so homeowners could replace their gas boiler with a heat pump for around £6,500. But it’s still a huge financial outlay when you compare that to the cost of a new gas boiler from just £2,000.
“If the 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, added: “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.”
