Home buyers are prioritising properties that are energy efficient and overlooking those that guzzle energy. That’s the conclusion of E.ON Next after it questioned 1,000 UK adults who were planning to buy a home in the near future.
The timing of the survey is important, being conducted during April 2026 amidst the Iran conflict. The crisis has seen the price of gas and oil surge, directly affecting the cost of utilities in our own homes and the goods we buy.
Almost all potential home buyers (93%) said growing energy uncertainty is shaping what they’re looking for in a home they might purchase. This stand-out statistic is a warning for sellers.
In addition to the blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, another energy event is looming on the horizon. In July this year, Ofgem will increase the energy price cap by 13%. The cap will rise to £1,862 per year between 1st July and 30th September 2026.
People can expect a price increase of around 5% to their electricity bills and a more substantial increase of 24% to gas bills. In monetary terms, that’s around £18 more per month on the average homeowner’s fuel bill.
E.ON Next’s research is bad news for sellers of energy poor homes. Utility bill volatility is seriously starting to impact what homes make a buyer’s shortlist.
In fact, 70% of prospective buyers say energy technology is now non-negotiable when choosing a property. In a sign of the times, over two thirds (68%) admit they wouldn’t have been looking for energy saving features a year ago.
The specific reasons why people now seek properties or sale with energy efficient measures was also identified. More than half (52%) were spurred on by rising energy costs, while 29% had a desire for greater energy security.
Looking at the research in more detail, 60% of prospective property buyers said the current energy market has prompted them to seek a property with solar panels, while 61% now want a home with EV charging capabilities.
Meanwhile, 70% report they’re searching for a house with a heat pump for the first time ever, and almost two-thirds (63%) are on the lookout for a home battery.
What does this mean for today’s sellers? Your home is more likely to be overlooked if it doesn’t have energy efficient measures installed. And there’s double trouble if your EPC is poor, as it indicates there could be problems with your insulation and central heating.
You’ll also exclude landlord buyers if your EPC is less than an E, as buy-to-lets with anything less than this grade are illegal to let out. It’s also worth bearing in mind the minimum E requirement is being changed to a C in the future, so property investors will seek homes that have future potential.
Open Property Group realises installing energy efficient measures requires a huge investment ahead of a sale. Checkatrade says a solar panel system in the UK typically costs around £8,000 to install. It adds that the supply and installation of an air source heat pump will cost between £3,000 and £15,000, depending on the system chosen.
At present, there is a lack of evidence showing whether homeowners will recoup costs if they sell soon after installation.
That’s why we never ask our clients to make energy efficient changes. We buy property in any condition and with any grade of EPC. Single glazing, missing insulation, old boiler, no central heating, non-standard construction – we’ll make you a cash offer on your property as is.
We’re buying flats and houses that are otherwise overlooked on the open market. Contact us to find out how you can exchange and complete within six weeks, no matter how gas guzzling or electric hungry your home is.
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