Retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient technology could play a major role in helping the UK reach its net-zero targets, but new research suggests that financial and informational barriers are preventing many homeowners from taking action.
According to a study by energy comparison service Uswitch, although more than half of UK homeowners have already made some improvements to reduce their energy consumption, only one in three are actively considering retrofitting their homes.
This is despite the government’s £13.2bn Warm Homes Plan, designed to help households cut energy bills by up to £600 through measures such as installing heat pumps and improving insulation.
COST REMAINS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE
The findings show that almost two-thirds of homeowners (61%) view the upfront cost of retrofitting as too high, while 65% say the initial outlay is a major deterrent. Over-55s were the most cost-sensitive group, with 71% citing expense as the key reason for not proceeding with retrofitting work.
While the cost of upgrades can vary from modest investments such as smart heating controls to more expensive installations like solar panels and heat pumps, the lack of accessible financial support remains a recurring concern.
Nearly six in 10 (59%) respondents said they would be more likely to retrofit their homes if grants or funding were easier to obtain, and 60% said they were unaware of what support was available.
YOUNGER HOMEOWNERS LEAD GREEN ADOPTION
Uswitch’s data also points to a generational divide in attitudes towards retrofitting. Among homeowners aged 25 to 34, more than two-thirds (69%) said they already had energy-saving products installed, and they showed the greatest appetite for renewable upgrades such as solar panels (57%), smart heating controls (48%) and heat pumps (41%).
In contrast, older homeowners were more inclined towards traditional improvements such as insulation (52%) and double or triple glazing (50%). A fifth of those aged over 55 said they would not consider retrofitting measures at all, compared with just 5% of younger respondents.
RETROFITTING BOOSTS HOME VALUE
Retrofitting is not only about cutting bills. Over half of homeowners (55%) believe it would make their property more attractive to buyers, while three in five said they would pay a premium for a home with renewable or low-carbon energy features.
Around a quarter of those surveyed said they would pay between £15,000 and £25,000 more for a “green” property, and one in 10 would stretch to an additional £45,000.
ENERGY SAVINGS CAN EXCEED £2,000 A YEAR
The potential benefits are significant. According to data from Uswitch, Which? and the Energy Saving Trust, energy savings from retrofitting can exceed £2,000 annually, depending on the scope of improvements. Solar panels could save the average household around £600 a year, while a heat pump might reduce bills by nearly £500.
Cavity wall and loft insulation could each save around £200 annually, with smaller measures such as smart heating controls cutting a further £110.
Despite these long-term savings, nearly two-thirds of homeowners admitted they were unsure how much money they could actually save from retrofitting their properties.
CALLS FOR STRONGER LOCAL SUPPORT
The research also highlights dissatisfaction with local authority support. Almost two in five (39%) homeowners believe their council is not doing enough to provide information and guidance on retrofitting.
The concern was most pronounced in Edinburgh, Belfast, Nottingham, Leeds and Glasgow, where more than 40% of respondents expressed frustration at the lack of local engagement.
With four in five of the homes that will exist in 2050 already built, the challenge of improving energy performance across the UK’s ageing housing stock remains substantial.
While many homeowners are aware of the environmental and financial benefits of retrofitting, the combination of high upfront costs, unclear information, and limited access to financial support continues to stall progress towards net zero.
