54 per cent OF HOMEOWNERS LOOKING FOR INSTALLERS TO FIT EFFICIENCY IMPROVING MEASURES FINDS DRAYTON SURVEY
Posted by: electime 1st May 2025
A recent survey by Drayton Controls and Schneider Electric found that home improvements to increase energy efficiency are the most popular among UK homeowners.
The survey found that home improvements that could result in energy savings were top of the list for 89 per cent of homeowners. This ranked above other measures such as improving comfort & convenience (82 per cent), making the property more sustainable (64 per cent), installing home security (60 per cent), design & aesthetic improvements (62 per cent), and increasing the size of the property (36 per cent).
This comes on the back of the energy crisis, with the average annual bill costing about £750 more compared to 2020-21 according to Ofgem. As such, energy efficiency has become more important to more homeowners than ever before. However, following the axing of winter fuel payments last year, the survey found that those aged 55+ (52 per cent) were most concerned about energy efficiency, whereas less than half of those aged 35-54 (46 per cent) or 18-34 (43 per cent) felt it was important.
When it comes to the smart home tech that homeowners believe will contribute to improving energy efficiency, smart thermostats were the top choice (54 per cent), outranking smart lighting (48 per cent), smart EV charging (30 per cent) and smart sensors (28 per cent).
This presents a prime opportunity for installers to identify new work, as 54 per cent of homeowners who invested in a smart thermostat relied on a professional to install it. And when it comes to spending, 27 per cent of homeowners in the UK are prepared to spend up to £1,000 on home improvements that would increase energy efficiency, and 12 per cent would spend between £1,000-£5,000.
Merlin Milner, Product Owner for Water-based Systems at Drayton, commented: “This survey highlights a clear trend—homeowners are prioritising energy efficiency more than ever, creating a significant opportunity for installers. With over half of those investing in smart thermostats relying on professional installation, there’s never been a better time for heating engineers and electricians to have a solution they are well versed in that can help customers reduce energy costs. This includes systems like Wiser, which can help save up to 30 per cent on energy bills thanks to features like multi-zoning and smart modes. Plus, installers can get familiar with Wiser via our online training course, available on Drayton Rewards+.”
For more information on Drayton’s range of heating controls, including Wiser, visit: www.draytoncontrols.co.uk
