Windows and doors are top of homeowners’ list of energy-efficient home improvements, according to research commissioned by Deceuninck. Installing energy-efficient windows and doors topped the list of home improvement jobs that homeowners would make to address concerns about the rising energy costs (13% of respondents indicated that they would improve windows and doors.) Solar panels came in second at 12%, a new boiler 10%, and cavity wall insulation and heat pumps each polled at around 5%.
With energy prices still at record highs, and weeks to go before government support for home energy bills is lowered, the YouGov survey of UK homeowners, commissioned by Deceuninck, found that 90% were ‘very worried’ or ‘worried’ about the price of energy. The survey results also indicated that concern about home energy costs was a key driver of sales: 44% of homeowners noted that, despite the cost of living crisis, higher energy costs made them more likely to spend on energy-saving home improvements.
“The findings reinforce something which many retailers have experienced first hand since April last year, which is that the record highs we’ve seen in energy prices have driven window and door sales,” said Rob McGlennon, Deceuninck’s managing director. “It also goes some way to explaining the high levels of demand that we have continued to see this year. Energy-efficient windows and doors are a far more tangible energy-efficient home improvement compared to cavity wall insulation, and with continuing pressure on energy prices, energy efficiency will continue to drive sales for a long time to come.”
Electricity prices increased by 67% in the 12 months to February while gas rose by 129%, taking average bills beyond the £2,500 a year mark. Though wholesale energy prices have fallen, they remain at historically high levels. The Energy Price Guarantee, which has helped to keep a lid on bills, runs out in a few weeks’ time.
The Deceuninck survey found that despite this, continuing high energy prices would encourage approaching 30% of respondents to invest in energy-saving home improvements. However, 57% of homeowners noted that a government grant scheme to help to lower energy bills would make them more likely to invest.
“If the government is looking for a long-term solution to climate change and high energy bills, improving the energy efficiency of UK homes, which account for around 21% of total UK emissions, is going to be key,” Rob added. “A ‘green grant scheme’ also has clear potential to support job creation and economic growth. The findings of our survey show that homeowners would be highly receptive to it.”
