Eight in 10 (84%) homeowners are planning to make their property more ‘green’ in the coming year, with reducing energy bills a key motivation, new research from plumbing and heating trade supplier City Plumbing has revealed.
Last week the government extended the Green Homes Grant scheme until March 2022, giving homeowners longer to make the most of the energy efficiency home improvement vouchers.
Two-thirds (67%) of those intending to make these changes said they are already aware of the government’s Green Homes Grant. A quarter (28%) plan to use the scheme, and 7% are already making use of it.
Steve Alldritt, technical director of City Plumbing’s energy efficiency team, said: “For homeowners, making energy efficient changes saves money in the long run, reduces environmental impact and can even make a property more appealing to future buyers. It really is a ‘win-win’ situation.
“The research shows that demand for ‘green’ upgrades is high, whether it is low carbon heating, biomass boilers or heating controls. The opportunity is there for tradespeople to benefit from.
“We are supporting tradespeople who are interesting in signing up for the Green Homes Grant scheme, with impartial advice, indemnified designs, project solutions and fast quotation turnaround.”
The most popular energy efficient home improvements are loft insulation (21%), followed by cavity wall insulation (20%), solid wall insulation – internal or external (17%), under floor insulation (16%), radiators (13%) and underfloor heating (12%).
Nearly a third (31%) of homeowners think that eco improvements could make their home more comfortable for them and their family, whilst a quarter (27%) believe it would make their property more attractive to prospective buyers.
