Two-thirds of UK homeowners intend to make green improvements to their properties in the next decade, but cost remains the main obstacle, according to new research from NatWest.
The bank’s Greener Homes Attitude Tracker found that 65% of households have long-term plans for sustainability upgrades, with the most popular features including electric vehicle chargers and solar panels (both 34%), triple glazing (33%) and heat pumps (26%).
Insulation is now a top priority for buyers, with 33% calling double glazing “essential” and 36% saying it is “very important”.
A property’s Energy Performance Certificate rating continues to carry weight with buyers, regarded as “very important” by 42%, though it now marginally ranks behind local green space and access to public transport, both at 43%.
The survey of 9,000 UK adults showed a marked rebound in upgrade plans in the first half of 2025 after a lull in late 2024. Around a quarter of homeowners said they intended to make improvements within the next 12 months, the highest level recorded by the tracker.
Smaller-scale upgrades, such as composting bins (10%), smart meters (9%) and rainwater harvesting systems (9%), lead the near-term list.
CHANGING HABITS
Lifestyle shifts are also becoming more widespread, with 72% of adults reporting they were cutting food waste and 62% seeking to minimise household energy use. Uptake of electric or hybrid vehicles rose to 11%, compared with 9% a year earlier.
The research highlights an income divide. Among households earning under £23,000 a year, just over half (53%) have long-term upgrade plans, compared with 78% of those earning above £57,750. Higher earners were also twice as likely to have short-term plans.
Cost is the most significant barrier to improvements, cited by 74% of those without upgrade plans. A reluctance to take on debt was identified by 38%, while 32% pointed to disruption from building work and 27% to limited financing options. 18% said the type of property they lived in prevented them from making changes.
Lloyd Cochrane, head of mortgages at NatWest Group, said: “It’s promising to see that two-thirds of UK homeowners now have long-term plans to improve the environmental sustainability of their homes, but the research clearly shows that cost remains a significant barrier.
“Our challenge is to ensure these improvements are as accessible and affordable as possible. We are committed to supporting our customers in making their homes more energy-efficient through a range of products and services, including the NatWest Home Energy Hub.
“We want to help households make informed choices that are right for their homes, budgets, and futures.”
