Environmental Concerns Flagged in New Study of Homeowners
More than half of people in the UK are not aware of the energy efficiency rating in their home, new research shows.
While the findings raise concerns over the need for greater education on the importance of environmentally-friendly homes, the findings from Public First’s poll did reveal that 20% considered environmental concerns within their top three biggest issues facing the country.
The environmental challenge facing the homebuilding industry to make homes more energy efficient was acknowledged by the major political parties prior to the 2019 General Election, when the government announced its pledge to build environmentally-friendly homes within the next parliament to help deliver its net zero emissions target from 2050.
While the Public First poll revealed that two thirds felt positively about this target, only 12% thought the government should focus on cutting emissions from homes. In comparison, 42% said the government should direct this focus towards factories.
Last week, Scotland’s government announced that it will make all new homes energy efficient by 2024, while a first-of-its-kind project has been launched which will use hydrogen to tackle carbon emissions in homes.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Around one in five homeowners polled said they had not lived in a home with any environmental adaptations and only 8% had lived in a home, or knew someone that had lived in a home, with a heat pump.
In total, 54% did not know what their home’s energy rating was – which is significant as upgrading your home’s energy rating could increase its value by up to £25,000.
Additionally, 80% of those polled said they currently live in a home with a gas boiler. This is concerning because single boilers using a single fossil fuel source could become increasingly difficult to sustain in the long-term, but renewable heating systems can make a notable difference to your home.
(MORE: The Guide to Choosing a New Boiler)
The poll also revealed consumers prioritise saving money over environmental concerns when considering building or moving into a home, and the most popular adaptations in those homes are triple glazing and the installation of water-saving devices.
The reticence to spend outright on making homes more energy efficient was reflected by 29% of respondents stating they think mortgage providers should factor in energy bills as part of a mortgage application.
Self builders do not have to break the bank to build low-energy homes. Making your self build more energy efficient can involve an initial outlay of capital expenditure that can help to lower long-term costs.
