Nine in 10 UK households (93%) now consider energy solutions such as solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) charging as essential features when searching for a new home, according to new data from E.ON Next. The research highlights a dramatic surge in demand for these technologies, with sales of solar panels and home batteries increasing by 182%, air source heat pumps by 129%, and EV chargers by 18% between February and April this year.
Energy Technology Now a Non-Negotiable
Seven in 10 prospective buyers (70%) say energy technology is now a non-negotiable requirement when choosing a property. Over two-thirds (68%) admit they would not have been looking for these features just a year ago. Almost all buyers (93%) report that growing energy uncertainty is shaping their home preferences.
Rising Energy Costs Drive Shift
Rising energy costs (52%) and a desire for greater energy security (29%) are the primary drivers behind the shift toward improved energy efficiency. Six in 10 buyers (60%) state the current energy market has prompted them to seek a property with solar panels, while 61% now want a home with EV charging capabilities. Seven in 10 (70%) report they are searching for a house with a heat pump for the first time, and almost two-thirds (63%) are looking for a home battery.
The trend is not limited to home movers. Over two-thirds of existing homeowners (67%) are considering upgrading their current homes with energy solutions. Solar panels (70%) and home batteries (63%) are the most popular home renovation investments.
Expert Insights
Property expert Dion Dublin commented: “Spring is when home-hunting typically ramps up, and this year buyers are thinking very differently. With nine in ten now actively looking for features like solar panels or electric car charging, energy efficiency has quietly become part of a property’s appeal – buyers are prioritising homes with lower running costs that feel cheaper to live in over the long term.”
Richie Atkinson, Head of Future Energy Homes at E.ON Next, added: “The pace of change is striking – over two-thirds of prospective buyers say features like this wouldn’t have been on their radar a year ago. That shift is now shaping longer-term buying decisions, and we’re seeing sales up from February this year by 182% for solar and home batteries, 129% for heat pumps and 18% for EV chargers as people factor energy efficiency into what they want from a future home during times of uncertainty.”
