New Polling for Home Upgrade Commission
Sunita Pfitzner
Public First conducted opinion research in support of the Home Upgrade Commission, looking into public awareness of and support for improving the energy efficiency of their homes.
Our topline findings included:
UK adults agreed that the best way for the UK government to reduce carbon emissions is by improving the energy efficiency in buildings and homes. At 36%, this was followed by increasing the speed at which wind and solar are built (34%), and promoting waste reduction and recycling (31%).
For respondents, high costs are overwhelmingly the most important issue related to British homes and housing. 72% of UK adults said high energy bill costs are one of the top three most important issues while 65% said it was high mortgage / rent costs.
The majority of respondents agree that their house gets too cold in the winter, while nearly a quarter of respondents said their homes suffer from cold temperatures and mould, mildew or damp.
UK adults support improving home and building energy efficiency but lack awareness of the associated terminology. “Heat network” received the lowest awareness, with 54% of the public saying they had not heard the term before. This was followed closely by “retrofitting” at 49%. The only terms where a majority responded that they had heard this term before and could explain what it means were “insulation” (79%), “energy efficiency” (67%), and “carbon emissions” (57%).
UK adults are more likely to trust their friends and family for advice on energy efficient home improvements than any other group. This was followed closely by consumer protection agencies, such as Citizens Advice.
Polling Tables
Public First conducted consumer polling of 4,028 respondents in an anonymous, online poll. Fieldwork ran from 17th April 2024 to 30th April 2024. All results are weighted using Iterative Proportional Fitting, or 'Raking'. The results are weighted by interlocking age & gender, region and social grade to Nationally Representative Proportions.
Public First is a member of the BPC and abides by its rules. For more information please contact the Public First polling team: [email protected]